MF Co. League (R2 of 5) at Lewis Rd. – Sat 05/03/2011
Result Dr. Crokes 2-9 Austin Stacks 1- 5 (ht 1-3 to 0-2)
At half time in this Round 2 Co. League game played at Lewis Road on this Saturday evening (5th March) we trailed by 1-3 to 0-2.
At the end of the 3rd quarter the position looked even worse as we were behind by 1-8 to 0-2.
But any team that’s managed by Seanie Power, William Kirby, Kevin O’Carroll and Tim McMahon will never throw in the towel. And so it proved to be.
In that final quarter of the game we played in a manner that we are capable of for a full sixty minutes.
Our two points in that first half came from Danny Carroll from play and from an acute free by Darragh O’Brien.
We could have been further in arrears at the break but for some brilliant defending by Barry Walsh who prevented a certain goal in the 6th minute.
As in the opening period of the game Crokes were equally as effective in the opening period of the second half.
But in that final quarter we played some tremendous football.
First Danny Carroll and Michael Godley pointed. Then in the 51st minute we got our only goal of the game. Michael Godley placed a beautiful ball to Danny Carroll who jinked his way through and laid off to Greg Horan who slammed the ball to the net.
We were unlucky to concede a second goal in the 49th minute and even more unlucky in the closing minutes not to have scored two.
First Alan Duggan saw his rasper from an acute angle come off the post and a minute later Tom McLoughlin’s shot for goal was diverted for a forty five.
The final score of the game came from a Danny Carroll free.
Team: Patrick Fitzgibbon, Paul Galvin, Alan Crean, Barry Walsh, David O’Sullivan, Niall Commane, Thomas McLoughlin, Ciaran O’Connell, Shane Crowley, Scott Monaghan, Michael Godley (0-1), Darragh O’Brien (0-1 free), Kyle Fitzgibbon, Greg Horan (1-0), Danny Carroll (0-3 – 1 free).
Subs: Alan Duggan (48m), Eamon McAllen (54m).
Round 3 of the League goes ahead in Connolly Park on next Saturday (12th March) when we play a Templenoe/Tuosist combination. Throw in at 4pm.
KEVIN REPORTS: (i) Saturday (5th), saw our Minors play away to Dr.Crokes at Lewis Road in the 2nd round of the Co. League. The pitch was in great order, and the day was ideal for a good game of football. Crokes were quick off the mark, playing fast direct football, with Pat O’Shea calling the shots from the sideline. Two minutes into the encounter…and Crokes got the opening score…a point from play. Both sides squandered a few chances over the next 10 minutes, kicking wides from play and frees. Crokes full-forward showed in the 11th minute why he is on the present Co. Minor panel as he took possession of the ball and calmly slotted it into Paddy Fitzgibbon’s net for a good goal. Crokes tagged on another point from a free in the 19th minute before The Rock finally got on the board in 20th minute with an excellently taken point from play by the ever-vigilant Danny Carroll.
A minute later and Dara O’Brien was on the scoreboard for The Rockies, slotting over a difficult angled free. Crokes scored another pointed free in the 29th minute to leave the half time score at 1-3 for Crokes to 2pts for The Rock. At this stage Ciarán Ó Conaill was having a fine game at centre-field while our backs had been doing well under intense pressure…great credit due to the six stalwarts for holding Crokes to just 2 scores from play. Alan and Niall did some great defending and Barry and Pól Ó Gealbháin hounded their men; David O’S. and Tom Mc chased everything that moved. Shane worked very hard i lár na páirce with Ciarán…they gave of their almighty best against very strong opposition.
The second half started lively for the Crokes; they kicked 5 points…1 free and 4 from play…in the first 11 minutes of the half and without reply. The Rock boys then began to realise that they were just as good at football as their Killarney opponents and they started to play nice flowing football. Danny Carroll (free) and Mike Godley kicked good points. Crokes answered immediately and, with a quick break away from the back line, they scored another goal in the 47th minute. Stacks dominated the remainder of the match with Ciarán lording centre-field with an exhibition of high fielding. With one of these balls, Ciarán quickly picked out Danny Carroll who swiftly released to Greg Horan who did what Greg can do…superbly put the pigskin into the top corner of the net. Na Crócaigh were rattled! Our lads took over…worked hard…played together…showed heart….took the game to Crokes! Earlier missed scores were regretted…a couple of “close” wides….a few hurried passes…if only…!! Crokes got their final score…a point from play in the 52nd minute…and Danny Carroll slotted over another point for the Rockies in the 54th minute. Overall, Crokes deserved their victory and, indeed, they’re a team that will take beating as the competition progresses. The Rockies can be very proud of their 2nd half performance…hitting the post twice (Alan Duggan’s shot nearly knocked it down!) in a few minutes at a time when a goal could have changed the game…playing with great heart and spirit with a never-say-die attitude which, I’m certain, will stand to them as the year goes on. There’s good spirit in this young minor outfit…..agus beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach (Seáiní) agus ag William agus ag Caoimhín. Subs brought in during the 2nd half: Alan Duggan, Éamonn McAllen. An fhoireann: Pa Fitzgibbon (cúl báire); Pól Ó Gealbbháin, Alan Crean, Barra Walsh; Dara Ó Súilleabháin, Niall Commane, Tom McLoughlin; Ciarán Ó Conaill, Shane Crowley; Scott Monaghan, Michael Godley (0-1), Dara Ó Briain (0-1 free); Kyle Fitzgibbon, Greg Horan (1-0), Danny Carroll (0-3; 1 free). Subs: Shane Begley, Alan Duggan (for Scott), Éamonn McAllen (for Kyle), Breandán Caball, Boris Ivanov, Eoghan Mac Iomhargáin, Conor Jordon (breoite), Joe Ó Ceallaigh (gortaithe).
(ii) Training: Monday/Thursday at 5pm…to be confirmed…per txt nó ó bhéal.
(iii) Go n-éirí go geal le Seán, Kevin, William agus an fhoireann go léir v An Teampall Nua at 4pm on Saturday in Connolly Park. Our next match is a must-win-game and we’re at home to Templenoe! Please, come and support these Minors as they are the future off our Senior club and they deserve your support. Thanks.
(iv) We say “well done” to Michael Godley on his recent athletic prowess…running and jumping…on a national level.