MINOR B FOOTBALL: Austin Stacks 4-3; St. Pats 2-8.
The weekend’s third and final game was arguably the best with a splendid one point win recorded by Minor B team.
This was the 2nd and final round of the Town League (we received a walk-over from Churchill in round 1) played on a sunny Sunday evening (1st March) in Connolly Park.
Trailing by three points to one after 18 minutes a well taken goal by Ian Doyle in the 22nd minute gave us the lead for the first time. Goalkeeper Barry Galvin made a brilliant save four minutes later and then a minute from the break Padraig Breen got through for a super goal to leave in front by four points at the break (2-1 to 0-3).
St. Pats started the second half in brisk fashion and by the 14th minute had scored 1-4 without reply to leave then three poits ahead.
However we got back on track again with two good points from play by Alan Crean and Shane O’Callaghan to reduce the deficit to a minimum. They went two up again a minute later.
the last eight minutes of the game was thrilling. First Padraig Breen goaled to put us back in the lead again by one point. Two minutes later Shane Crowley was at the end of a great Stacks move to rifle to the roof of the net and give us a four points cushion.
Two minutes from time St Pats were back in it with a well taken goal. But we held out in those last nail biting minutes to win by the minimum.
There were some noteable performances throughout the hour.
Our defence was splendid. If there is a better man marker than Stephen Walsh then let him step forward. Full back David Hannafin was sound all through and that after playing a full 60 minutes with the A team on the previous day. Coaran O’Connell was tenacious in his defending and his drives up field set up many an attack.
Thomas McLoughlin, Dean O’Sullivan and Alan Duggan rarely put a foot wrong.
Jamie Byrne and Alan Crean fielded splendidly in the middle of the pitch and their distribution to the forwards was super.
Wing forwards Tom Healy and Michael Godley opened up the Pats defence with regularity.
Shane O’Callaghan had a splendid game setting up two of our goals.
And as stated already our three full forwards scored the four goals.
Shane Begley went into goals in the second ahlf anfd did well as did Eoin Galvin and Luke Donnelly when introduced late in the second half.
So Joe Smith, Seanie Power and Colm Mangan can be well pleased with the preformance.
Team: Barry Galvin, Stephen Walsh, David Hannafin, Ciaran O’Connell, Thomas McLoughlin, Dean O’Sullivan, Alan Duggan, Jamie Byrne, Aloan Crean (0-1), Tom Healy, Shane O’Callaghan (0-1), Michael Godley (0-1 free), Padraig Breen (2-0), Ian Pecker Doyle (1-0), Shane Crowley (1-0).
Subs: Shane Begley (ht), Eoin Galvin (48M), Luke Donnelly (54m).
Our Co. League campaign commences on this Saturday afternoon (7th March) with a home game in Connolly Park against Sneem/Derrynane. Throw in 4pm.
Hurling & Football Club