Southern Gaels 1-11 St Brigid’s 1-9
Southern Gaels won their opening championship game played in Ballymore last Friday in a tense and closely fought encounter.
The opening half was evenly contested and ended five points apiece. The Athlone side edged ahead midway through the second half with points from Sean and Chulainn Dowd and Dermot Treacy. However, points from four placed balls and a goal put St Brigids in the ascendancy.
Gaels were not to be out done and Evan Farrell netted in a quick response. Gaels then closed out the game with three excellent pointed frees, one from Chulainn and two from Sean Dowd.
The Athlone side were the better over the hour and had top class performances from Paul Hogan, Diarmuid Martin and Cian McCarthy. Kieran Martin also played a key role when introduced in the second half.
Team - Shaun Fox, Paul Hogan, Shane Galvin, Diarmuaid Murtagh, Diarmuid Martin, Cian McCarthy, Dermot Treacy (0-1 ), Sean Dowd (0-3, capt. ), Eamon Martin (0-1 ), Seamus Hoctor (0-1 ), Cian Geary, Evan Farrell (1-0 ), Chulainn Dowd (0-5 ), Fionn Dowd and Luke Whelan. Subs - Kieran Duncan (Whelan ) Johnny Martin (Farrell )
Junior B Championship
Southern Gaels 0-14 Fr Dalton’s 2-13
This second round championship game was played in Pairc Chiaráin last week with Gaels second defeat all but putting pay to their progress in the competition. Fr. Daltons played with a strong wind in the opening half and made maximum use of it. They led by 2-9 to 0-3 with Gaels only hitting three pointed frees through Chulainn Dowd.
The side improved in the second half but a lack of goal chances against a well organised Dalton’s defence was their undoing. Chulainn Dowd added eight points with Seamus Hoctor, Evan Farrell and Luke Sylvester adding one each.
Four second half points from Fr Daltons was to do enough to see them progress.
Team - Shaun Fox, Cian Ó Suilleabháin, Paul Hogan, Luke O’Connell, Liam O’Brien, Cian McCarthy, Evan Farrell (0-1 ), Chulainn Dowd (0-11 ), Seamus Hoctor (0-1 ), Páidí Ó Leocháin, Cillian Donohue, Luke Whelan, Brian Bermingham, Fionn Dowd and Frank Kelly. Subs - Dermot Treacy (Bermingham ), Sean Murphy (Kelly ), Luke Sylvester (Donohue ).
Under 17 Championship
Southern Gaels 4-17 Fr Daltons 3-11
Southern Gaels started their championship off to the perfect start with a well merited win over the Ballymore side, Fr. Daltons. They controlled the opening half and led by 3-11 to 1-5 at half-time. Cian Geary was scorer in chief with 2-3 and Sean O’Donoghue added four further points.
Fr. Daltons, with wind assistance in the second half, came more into the game scoring 2-6 but a goal from Sean O’Donoghue sealed a victory for the Athlone side. Matthew Turner, Dara Shortall and Anthony Mannion gave fine performances.
Team - Josh Baine, Rory Hatton, Matthew Turner, Stephen O’Connor, Liam O’Flaherty, Dara Shortall, Oisin O’Donoghue, Anthony Mannion, Ruairí Ó Duibhir (0-1, capt. ), Cillian Geary (2-8 ), Sean O’Donoghue (1-4 ), Ciaran Morgan (0-2 ), Dean Burns (0-1 ), Kyle Mahon and Aaron Power (1-1 ). Subs - Luke Duffy, Diarmuid Morgan, Max O’Sullivan, Leon Macken, Cillian Keegan, Rian Barkley and Evin Kinahan all played.
Under 15 Championship
Fr. Dalton’s 4-13 Southern Gaels 5-6
Fr. Daltons led by 2-10 to 1-1 at half-time but a wonderful second-half by the Athlone side almost stole the game at the finish. With one minute remaining Gaels had clawed the game back to a one point deficit and it looked like a draw was on the cards.
However, a goal for the Ballymore side gave them a win. Dara Geary was Gaels outstanding player scoring 5-4 of their total. Oisin O’Donoghue added two points with Eoin Whelan, Odhran Mitchell and Conleth Feeney also contributing handsomely.
Congratulations to Dara Geary who played for Westmeath Under 14 side who defeated Dublin in a challenge by 5-20 to 3-11 over the weekend.
Fixtures
Thursday, July 6 - Under 19 Championship - Southern Gaels v St. Vincent’s, Pairc Chiaráin at 7.30
Saturday, July 8 - Under 10 Camogie Blitz
