In this senior hurling clash a powerful first half performance by Galway set them up for a well-deserved win over the perennial power house Offaly. Though it looked as if it was going to be business as usual when Offaly’s Dan Dwyer and Eoin Dillon had an early brace of points, however goals from Robbie Jackson and John Byrne showed that Galway was stamping their authority on this game. Initially Offaly appeared unruffled by the early goal blitz as they responded a goal and a point from Shane Sweeney and Ethan O’Brien. From the ten-minute mark on, Galway was very much in control as they would add another 1-7 in the period. Robbie Jackson was superb in the middle while forwards John Madden, John Byrne and Aidan Roche were operating very effectively.
At the back the defense was being very well marshaled by David Kelly with good help from Liam Butler and Luke O’Loughlin. Roche had goal number three mid- way as he capitalized on a good pass from David Fahey while an Offaly player was down injured. Indeed Galway looked to have another goal but the referee had whistled for an infringement. The game then took a very ugly turn as hurls, helmets and limbs flew. When order was restored both teams were down a player The scoring continued as Jackson led the way with some long range specials, though Offaly’s Niall Marshall goaled to leave Galway leading by 3-9 to 2-4 at the break.
On the resumption Offaly rallied as Aidan McInerney landed three excellent long range points, two from play and one from a free. This trifecta was soon followed by another Marshall goal after an incisive run through the middle by Dan O’Dwyer. Offaly’s confidence was now growing as they were within a goal of Galway, though points from Jackson and Madden appeared to take some pressure of the Galwegians. Offaly was still in the hunt as a Dwyer foul led to a McInerney goal, while a Donie Broderick pass set up Marshall for a point to leave the minimum between the sides midway in the period. However a goal from David Fahey ignited the Galway attack again as Madden, Jackson and company would add another six points and Eoin Hogan forced a great save from Brian McNaughton. McInerney added two for Offaly, but with Kelly and company clearing their lines so effectively that was as close as the perennial champions would get in this encounter. Now that Galway has taken the champion’s scalp, it sets the scene for what will be a much anticipated rematch.
Offaly: Brian McNaughton, Killian Lenard, Mark Quinlan, Terry Grogan, Eoin Dillon, Ethan O’Brien(0-1), Dan O’Dwyer(0-2), Kaelim O’Hare, Paudie Kyne, Aidan McInerney(1-5), Donie Broderick, Brendan Blackwell, Shane Sweeney(1-1).
Sub. Niall Marshall(2-1)
Galway: Ger Corcoran, Pa Guiney, David Kelly, Liam Butler, Luke O’Loughlin(0-1), Alan Sherlock, Robbie Jackson(1-8), Eoin Hogan(0-2), David Fahey(1-0), Aaron Farrell, John Madden(0-5), John Byrne(1-0), Aidan Roche(1-1).
Subs. Jamie Lynch, Cormac Condron, Gary Curly, Hugh Rooney, Tadgh Lyons. David King(0-1). Referee Finbar Flood
Man of Match Robbie Jackson
Leitrim win, but
need to improve
Leitrim was early out of the blocks in this senior football encounter as they had three points in as many minutes. The crafty Hartnett showed the way with the opener while Cian Reynolds finished off a good move involving Ken O’Connor, Rory Woods and Paddy Kelly for the second. Dan Doona would add one of his specials before Kevin McGeeney had Armagh on the board. Leitrim was having the better of the exchanges as O’Connor and Kelly in the middle were giving them the edge. The well-connected channel between Doona and Hartnett saw the latter hit another but Armagh was doing quite well with limited possession and opportunities as Richie Morgan and Paddy King had points. Still Hartnett kept edging Leitrim ahead as he pointed for fouls on O’Connor and Reynolds. With five minutes left Armagh got within one, as Kevin McGeeney punished sloppy Leitrim defending, while substitute Ciaran Conlon gave a superb pass to Morgan for a score. If Leitrim started the period strongly, they also finished it in style. First the hard-working Kelly landed a fine left-footed effort for a minor, while a defense splitting move involving Mark Dobbin, Woods and Hartnett ended with Doona getting the major. Incidentally Dobbin, the former architect of many Down victories, looked very comfortable in the Leitrim colors. Meanwhile Leitrim led by 1-7 to 0-6 at the short whistle.
Leitrim had the perfect start to the second half as the Hartnett and Doona combination produced the goods again. Hartnett, aka Dodo, was strategically positioned in the vicinity of the square to make the most of Doona’s “45” after it came back off the post to knock it in for a goal.
The rest of the second half was rather mediocre as Leitrim would add just another two points, Dobbin being the scorer. The Walsh duo, Darren and Damien, along with Shane Maher kept the defense tight Meanwhile Armagh did create a minor buzz as Chris Morton headed in the Orchard county goal. Indeed the powerful propulsion of the header would be the envy of any soccer player. It also invoked memories of another powerful header that resulted in a goal in the eighties at Gaelic Park. That was also from an Armagh man, Fran McMahon. Meanwhile Armagh, apart from the goal, just managed two points from the battling Kevin McGeeney. Though Leitrim won, they will have to improve considerably if they are to upset the Kingdom on next Sunday. Armagh still struggle and so far they have not reached their standards of the previous seasons.
Leitrim: Conor O’Loughlin, Mike Creegan, Darren Walsh, James Grant, Shane Maher, Damien Walsh, Henry Mitchell, Ken O’Connor, Paddy Kelly(0-1), Cian Reynolds(0-1), Rory Woods, Emmett Killeen, Mark Dobbin(0-2), Dan Doona(1-1), Donal Hartnett(1-4). Subs. Danny O’Sullivan, Paddy Daly, Aaron Brannagan, James Mitchell.
Armagh: Alan Hearty, Collie Fearon, Patsy Martin, Ramie Kane, Aidan Morton, Stuart Stokes, John Lynch, Paddy King(0-1), Kevin McGeeney(0-3), Gary Nugent, Seamus Toner, Seamus McDaid, Ken Cox, Richie Morgan(0-2) Mathew Cartman. Subs. Chris Morton(1-0) Ciaran Conlon(0-1), Brian Patton, Sean McKeown. Referee Sean Jones,
Man of Match Donal Hartnett.
Tyrone prove too
strong for Dublin
Tyrone easily had the measure of the Dubs. for most of the game, though a two goal blitz did shake up the proceedings for a while in the second half. Tyrone are progressing steadily through the championship as their strong running and good support play is getting the job done. Incidentally Shay McGuigan, a son of Frank and a member of the famed McGuigan clan, also played a major part in this victory, but he had also a strong supporting cast in Jackson, Power, Coleman, Morgan, Farrell and company.
Though Tyrone were on the attack early and often, their attempts fell short or into the keeper’s hands, and it was left to the Dubs. to get the opening score from Ciaran McColgan. Eventually the constant pressure paid off as Adam Fitzgerald goaled, while Aidan Power sailed in for a point before helping Mickey Coleman fire over another.
Tyrone were now in the zone as they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, which propelled them into 1-5 to 0-1 lead entering the last ten minutes of the period. However the Dubs finished strongly as Michael Henderson pointed while McColgan had a shot come off the post after a strong run through the middle. Further pressure led to a fine point from Niall Coughlin while keeper Corrigan did well to deny Henderson on the goal-line Tyrone led by 1-5 to 0-3 at the break. Midway in the second half the game looked as good as over as David Morgan had hammered in a goal after a great cross field ball from Adam Fitzgerald while McGuigan was on a merry dance with scores from frees and plays. They were ahead by 2-9 to 0-3, then a great goal from Niall Coughlin was the catalyst for a Dublin comeback. Good support play by Grey, McKeown and Connolly put Coughlin through for another goal while the crossbar denied him from the penalty spot for a third.
Tyrone weathered the late Dublin storm and soon points from Conor Skeffington and Coleman had them back on an even keel. Dublin was still creating chances as Mark Connolly pointed but poor free taking did not help their case. Meanwhile a late flurry from Coleman and McGuigan emphasized their potency and potential while also suitably embellishing the score board for the O’Neill County. Tyrone’s performances are going in the right direction, while the Dubs. though still winless, play great in short spells, but unfortunately not for long enough. They also need a reliable free-taker.
Tyrone: Damien Corrigan, Daniel Jackson, Ger McCullough, Joe Bell, Ciaran Queally, Aidan Power(0-1), Niall Maguire, Conor McNabb, Mickey Coleman(0-3), Conor Skeffington(0-1), Shay McGuigan(0-8), Adam Fitzgerald(1-0), Michael Gallagher, David Morgan(1-1), Niall Farrell(0-1). Subs. Darren Doherty, Seamus Skeffington, Pat Maguire.
Dublin: Eoghan Loughnane, Colin Larkin, Adam Keaney, Fergal Powell, Sean Gibney, William Foran, Ciaran McColgan(0-1), Andy Grey, Peter Keaney, Niall McKeown(0-1), Niall Coughlin(2-1), Jonathon Moloney, Chris Corcoran, Mark Connolly(0-1), Michael Henderson(0-1).
Referee John Fitzpatrick
Man of Match Shay McGuigan
Feile Results
There was cause for much celebration this weekend in Ireland as both the boys and girls from the Big Apple won their respective finals in the Feile Peil nOg competition. The girls defeated Bredagh(Down), while the boys topped Burren also from Down. Congratulations to the respective managers Joe McGirl and Eoin McSweeney and their mentors and selectors. Next week there will be a more complete account of these historic achievements.
