As part of Oughterard GAA Club’s centenerary celebrations, a Masters (over 40 ) game was held in Killannin recently.
Former All-Star and International Rules player Sean Og de Paor was the manager for Galway West, with 1998 All-Ireland winning captain Ray Silke in charge of the North board selection.
The leisurely nature of the game meant that pacemakers were not required by spectators, but some of the play was of a high quality with plenty of experience and guile on view.
The North board selection started brightly and had a fine goal from James Concannon (Claregalway ) which put them on the road. However West struck back with Pat Burke (Oughterard ), Tom Reilly (Clonbur ), and Eamon Walsh (Robert Emmets ) finding the target.
Not surprisingly, fatigue was a distinct feature of the second half and with minutes to go the West looked like they were going to take the match as they led by two points. However, James Concannon, who impressed as the big man on the edge of the square, was cynically pulled down and 1986 All-Ireland minor winner Tomas Kilcummins made no mistake from the spot-kick.
The West missed several easy chances before Oughterard’s Pat Burke made it a draw - do these exhibition games end any other way? - with a point from play in injury time.
Galway West had fine displays from Kevin Conneely (Ml Breathnachs ) in goal, Tadhg O Curaoin (Ml Breathnachs ) and John Fallon (Oranmore ) in defence; Kevin Walsh (Killannin ) and Vinny Larkin (Leitir Moir ) at midfield; and up front Stephen Joyce (Clonbur ), Tom Reilly (Clonbur ), Pat Burke (Oughterard ), and Johnny Reddington(Oranmore ).
For the North, Paul and James Concannon (Claregalway ), Paul Curran (Annaghdown ), Tomas and Tadhg Kilcummins (St Brendan’s ), Cathal McGinn (Tuam Stars ), and Cyril Ryan (Mountbellew ), who was captain on the day, caught the eye.
