C’s Into Semi Despite Loss to Beale

Junior Co. League Div. 5:
Austin Stacks C 0-11; Beale 1-13.

We surrendered our 100% record in the Co. League when we went down to Beale in Connolly Park on this Friday evening (8th June).  Beale had the better of the exchanges early on and lead by 0-5 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter (our score coming from a pointed free by Nicky O’Connell).But we whittled away at that lead and went in at half time just a point in arrears (0-7 to 0-6).

Nicky O’Connell was unerring from both play and frees, scoring five points in all during that first half with Gary O’Connor scoring the sixth point.

Although Beale extended their lead with a point one minute after the resumption we scored three unanswered points in the space of the next five minutes, putting us in front for the first time in the game. Nicky O’Connell, with two and a well-converted 45 by Anthony Shanahan were the scorers.

However Beale took control again and by the 47th minute had added five without reply.

But, like the first half, we kept plugging away and, with two more points by Nicky and Anthony, had reduced the deficit to two with five minutes remaining.

But on the 57th minute Beale got through for the only goal of the game and there was no comeback after that.

Team: Brian Horgan, Bertie O’Brien, Nessan Crean, Michael McCarthy, Richard Conway, Anthony Shanahan (0-2 – one forty five), Michael O’Leary, David Hannafin (Capt), Paul McCannon, Frankie Murphy, Gary O’Connor (0-1), David Courtney, Padraig Breen, Nicky O’Connell (0-8 – 4 frees), David Pecker Doyle.

Sub: Kevin O’Carroll (40m).

Whatever happens now with the remaining games we have at least qualified for the semi final (the top team go straight to the final with 2nd and 3rd playing in a semi final), and, depending on circumstances, we may top the group and go straight to the final, which would then leave Beale and Moyvane to contest the semi final.