Minor Co. Championship
Shannon Rangers 2-14 Austin Stacks 3-08
Anyone following our minors this year, couldn’t but agree, (although losing this championship match), our very young team played their best game this season. In goals, and coming back from an Irish collage for the match, was Shane Begley, Paul Galvin, Barry Walsh and Tom McLoughlin made up full back line, Conor Jordan, Alan Crean and Mike Godley, mid-field Ciaran O’Connell and Shane Walsh, half forwards, Paddy Fitzgibbon, Alan Duggan and Greg Horan, our inside line was Danny Carroll, Dara O’Brien (captain) and Kyle Fitzgibbon, Subs were Brian Horgan, David O’Sullivan, Eamon McAllen, Boris Ivanov, Brendain Caball, Owen McGivern, and Ciaran Flannigan all who played their part in some shape or form.
The throw in was put back half an hour to 8pm, due to a funeral in Ballylongford, (the venue for the match), and the ball was thrown in on the stroke of 8. Shannon Rangers were very quick of the mark, scoring instantly with a move from the throw in, a point from play, this was swiftly followed by another point from play, winning our kick out and adding to their score. Another score a minute later, left it 3 points to no score after 3 minutes. We won the resulting kick out, which was well fielded on the wing by Greg Horan, greg delivered the ball inside to Danny who picked out Dara who was fouled 25 yards out, Dara calm as you like slotted over the bar for our 1st score.
The game was flowing nicely, and end to end football, in the 6th min, a well worked ball to Danny, resulted in him being fouled and Dara pointed the free. 7th,8th and 10th saw 3 unanswered points from Shannon Rangers, all from play, though 2 were the result of very ‘SOFT’ frees. The 12th minute saw a lovely worked ball by the Rockies, with the final pass to Danny provided by Greg, Danny did what he does best, put it straight between the posts to leave it 6pts to 3pts. The 16th minute saw Paddy Fitz pick out Dara with a delightful kick pass, Dara was fouled and slotted the free over the bar. The Rock were starting to settle into the match, at this stage we had missed a few pointable frees, and with persistent fouling being done by Shannon Rangers, it was very surprising that no one got a ticking from the ref.
In the 22nd minute Dara O’Brien picked up the ball on the 40′ and made a great run at goals, only to be pulled down in the box, he shuck himself off after being winded, and neatly tucked the penalty into the bottom right corner of the net. Unfortunately, from the kick out, Rangers worked the ball the length of the field, and scored a goal from play. 3 minutes later, and Shane Begley pulled off another fine save, putting behind for a 45′ which was pointed. Another point from play followed for the home side in the 27th, while down the other end, Danny got a fine point from play. The final minute of the half, saw Rangers tag on 2 more pts from play. Half-time, and all to play for, Rangers 1-10 Rockies 1-05.
We made 2 changes on the resumption of the second half, with David O’Sullivan coming into the defence for Paul Galvin, and Eamon McAllen in to the attack for Pa Fitz. Both were immediately involved. 31st minute saw yet another fine run by Dara, with the keeper forced to pull out a good save, the resulting 45′ Dara pointed. We won the kick out and Eamon found David O’Sullivan, who picked out Alan Duggan, Alan stuck it in the net. 36th and another pointt from play for Rangers to put 2 points between us again. At this stage we were working the ball very well, but Rangers continued to foul, and disappointingly, the ref failed to tick anyone, in particular, the corner back marking Danny Carroll spent the night fouling, and even head butted in front of the umpires, who stood by and done nothing, ( in my view, not much point in ref having umpires, IF their not going to do the job properly).
The 44th minute saw a great run by the Rangers Kerry minor, who scored a fine goal to put 5 between us. The Rockies showed great fighting spirit and heads never dropped, fair dues to them all. A minute later, another Rangers point from play. The 47th minute saw a very special move, with the score of the day, a goal as good, if not better than the fine goal by Shane O’Callahan v Dr Crokes. Another ‘red head’ Shane Crowley, picked up the ball on our half-back line and carried it, ducking challenge after challenge, to riffle it to the roof of the net from an acute angle, 15 yards out, SUPER! The home side responded with a point from play. A minute later and yet another free for the Rock, after another foul on Danny, Danny got up to take it and unluckily just brushed wide. 2 more points from frees again for the Stacks in the 53rd & 57th minutes, left just 2 between us. A minute later, and Rangers got the final score of the match. The Rockies pushed hard for the last few minutes, but, although owning the ball in the forward line we failed to find the back of the net to force the draw.
There was great support for the Rock, with the usual suspects, led by our own ‘Kaiser so say’ Ger Mannix. Thanks to all who took the time out to travel it was very much appreciated by our side-line crew of Seanie Power, Kevin O’Carroll, William Kirby, Eamon Scanlon and Timmy McMahon. Down but not out, we look forward to seeing who we will draw today. We can only improve, and hopefully the draw will be kind, as this bunch of lads deserve to get a run in the championship. Everyone played well, and done their best, it was great to see a solid performance from Mike Godley, who had recently being competing at the highest level in athletics, good to see him back in the ‘Black n’ amber. Ciaran, Barry, Tom Mc and Conor were all solid. Alan Crean dependable as ever, had to be replaced late on by Pa Fitz, due to injury. Shane Crowley, Alan Duggan, Dara O’Brien(capt) and Danny Carroll all played their part, well done. Onwards and definitely upwards, for the next round next Tuesday night.