Southern Gaels 5-16 Crookedwood 3-16
This highly entertaining game was played in Pairc Chiarain, Athlone in ideal conditions last week, the home side beginning in excellent fashion with two well worked goals finished by Fionn Dowd.
With Frank Kelly turning in a top class performance at centre-forward, ably supported by Eoin Hardiman and MJ Kelly, Gaels led by 4-8 to 1-8 at half-time with a penalty save by goalkeeper Shaun Fox proving crucial.
A third goal by Dowd in the opening minute of the second-half had Gaels lead out to twelve points. However, in the third quarter Crookedwood asserted their authority and scored 2-3 without reply to come back into the game. They cut the Athlone side's lead to four points and looked on course to force a tight finish.
However, three points from the impressive Eamon Martin and a long range effort from Cian McCarthy were among the scores that eventually gave Gaels a deserved victory.
Southern Gaels - Shaun Fox, Paul Hogan, Cillian Coyle, Ronan Farrell, Shane Galvin, Eanna Holland, Trevor Farrell, Cian Geary (0-1 ), Dermot Treacy, Chulainn Dowd (0-4 ), Frank Kelly, Eamon Martin (1-3 ), MJ Kelly (1-2 ), Fionn Dowd (3-2 ), Eoin Hardiman (0-3 ). Subs: Cian McCarthy (0-1 ), Brian Dolan, Paidí Ó Leochain, Brian Bermingham and Seamus Hoctor.
Under 19 Division Two
Southern Gaels 5-21 St Oliver Plunkett's 1-8
The home side easily accounted for the Mullingar side in the game played in ideal conditions in Athlone last week. Gaels built up an early lead though Plunkett's performed well in the opening quarter. Paidí Ó Leochain was lively in attack for the Athlone side and picked off 1-3 by half-time. Their defence was well marshalled by Cian McCarthy and Paul Hogan with good support form Cian Ó Sullibháin and Ryan Fallon. Gaels led 2-9 to 0-5 at half-time and were well in control.
They extended their advantage in the second-half with Sean Murphy and Eoin Hardiman to the fore. Tadhg Baker hurled well at centerfield and Luke Whelan impressed when introduced.
Southern Gaels - Conn O'Hara, Cian Ó Sullibháin, Paul Hogan, Diarmaid Murtagh, Cian Geary, Cian McCarthy (0-1 ), Ryan Fallon, Tadhg Baker, Chulainn Dowd (0-4 ), Paidí Ó Leochain (2-4 ), Tom Kelleher (0-1 ), Evan Farrell (0-1 ), Johnny Martin (1-1 ), Seam Murphy (2-3 ) and Eoin Hardiman (0-4 ). Subs: Andrew Ruane, Luke Whelan (0-2 ) and Dano McMonagle.
Under 13 League Phase Two
St Oliver Plunkett's proved too strong for Southern Gaels in this league fixture. Both sides were evenly matched for much of the game but Plunkett's finishing power proved crucial. The Mullingar side led by six points at half-time helped by three well taken goals. Gaels had an excellent third quarter with a goal from Eoghan Hardiman and two points from Dara Geary. However, the Mullingar side finished the stronger and were deserving winners. Gaels were also well served by Oisin O'Connor, Padraig O'Neill, Thomas Herron and Daniel Crosbie.
Best wishes are sent to Tom O'Keeffe, Cian Cahill and Lorcan McMonagle who all sustained recent injuries. Hopefully they will be back playing shortly.
