Tyrrellspass 1 – 9 Garrycastle 1 – 8
Garrycastle’s championship campaign suffered a setback on Sunday evening when they went down to double champions Tyrrellspass by the narrowest of margins.
Tyrrellspass got an ideal start with a pointed free after just two minutes of play. However, Garrycastle got back into the game when awarded a penalty as Alan Daly was fouled on the edge of the small square as he challenged for a high ball. Robbie Shine stood up to take it and slotted it expertly to the net to give his side a two point advantage after six minutes. A second Tyrrellspass point from a free reduced the margin but a Dessie Dolan free restored the Garrycastle lead to two points after 11 minutes. Gary Dolan hit a fine point after good approach work from Rory McGowan. Tyrrellspass showed their dangerous attacking potential when a fine flowing move opened up the Garrycastle defence and Cathal Mullin had no chance as the ball hit the back of his net as Tyrrellspass brought the sides level. They followed this up with a pointed free and a point from play to establish a two point lead for the champions. Garrycastle refused to yield and points from Dessie Dolan and Gary Dolan as the game went into first-half injury time had the sides level at the break on a scoreline of 1-4 each.
Tyrrellspass started the second half brightly and Martin Flanagan kicked his side into the lead. Garrycastle hit back with a point from Dessie Dolan and the former All Star had the green and red ahead with a free after 10 minutes of the second half. However, Tyrrellspass now had their best period of the game and hit over four points on the trot, all from play, between the 43rd and 47th minutes to take a three-point lead. Garrycastle knew that they would have to respond and they did so in style. A point from Alan Daly, whose shot fizzed just over the bar, reduced the margin. Substitute Paul Dillon left just one point between the sides with just three minutes remaining. Cathal Mullin made a good save to keep his side in it and Garrycastle pressed forward for the equalising point. However, a number of promising attacks were thwarted and Tyrrellspass held out for the win on a scoreline of 1-9 to 1-8.
