OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship Group 4
Saturday 12th August
Report by Niall Kelly
Patrick Sarsfields 1-11 Gort Na Móna 0-06
A composed and assured performance from Sarsfields against Belfast counterparts Gort Na Móna, ensured progression into the quarter final stage with home advantage their added incentive. In truth, Sarsfields had a measure of control of proceedings from referee Paul Burn’s first whistle despite a dogged effort from Gort Na Móna. Gary Lennon gave his side the lead after just two minutes, and it would be a lead they would refuse to relinquish for the rest of the game. Substitute Brian Healy’s calm finish to the net with ten minutes remaining extinguished all hopes of any sort of Gort revival as their hosts cantered home to victory with eight points to spare.
The commanding presence of Gary Lennon caused early problems for the visitors and the number 14 opened the scoring with a fine mark on the second minute before an audacious effort off the outside of Philip McPeake’s right boot split the posts from range to double their lead moments later. Seeking to respond, the visitors tried in vain to create opportunities of their own but struggled to get any sort of fluid football together and Sarsfield’s high press on their kickouts was causing all sorts of problem.
With the Gort defence hemmed in, Sarsfields’ calculated and patient approach play reaped rewards as the familiar prowess of Kevin McKernan came to the fore with the number 15 grabbing the next two scores to see his side go four in front by the twentieth minute.
Gort Na Móna were desperate for some sort of reprieve and despite some promising build up play couldn’t seem to get the final pass right. Their reliance on the high ball into target men in the full forward line wasn’t having its desired effect as the Paddies’ defence stood resolute under the ariel bombardment.
On the 25th minute, the visitors’ efforts were finally rewarded when Tarlach Enright despatched a free from close range. Big hits were beginning to fly in and with a few off the ball altercations, things were starting to heat up. This perhaps sparked the hosts back into action again, as the ever-impressive McPeake doubled his tally, fisting over after some intricate link play with Liam Mitchell to leave the score at the short whistle 0-05 to 0-01.
With scores hard to come by in the first half, the second period was a much more open affair. Kevy Floyd opened the scoring with a superb, curling effort from range before Gort responded immediately through the boot of midfielder Aidan McDonagh who was at the heart of everything positive in his side’s performance.
However, three points in the space of five minutes from Sarsfields helped them bolster their lead further. Again, it was the dynamic duo of McKernan (2) and Lennon combining to great effect. Yet again though, Gort Na Móna refused to lie down and managed to cut the gap back to five. Ciaran Donnelly bulldozed his way through the Paddies’ rearguard before unleashing a monstrous effort from range. This was followed up by the trusty right boot of Enright from the placed ball and momentum was now slowly shifting towards the visitors in their search of a comeback.
Reinforcements from the host’s bench would prove to be pivotal though as the fresh legs reinvigorated the men in green and black in their drive for victory. Caolan McKernan put the finishing touches on a marauding, driving run from full back Joe McNally before Brian Healy hammered the final nail in the coffin on the fiftieth minute. Healy, who had barely been on the pitch two minutes, raced through on goal and having been denied by a wonderful save from Thomas McCaffrey, he made no mistake despatching the rebound as he drilled home off the ground into the bottom left of the despairing keeper’s net.
Sarsfields’ relentless press was executed to great effect again as Gary Lennon curled over from close range after having regained possession deep in the Gort half as the result looked a foregone conclusion now.
To their credit, despite the sizable margin stacked against them and the imminent arrival of Paul Burn’s full-time whistle, the visitors continued to plug away and were rewarded with two excellent points from dangerman Enright as he increased his tally to 0-03 for the day.
Sarsfields will be delighted with yet another comprehensive win and assurance of topping the group. With a full complement of players at their disposal, they are certainly a side with realistic Championship hopes. Gort Na Móna no doubt will be disappointed with the result, but they must take solace in the fact that all is not lost. Their clash with Glenavy will be a winner-take-all scenario with both vying to grab the last quarter final spot.
Teams:
Sarsfields
M Brady; C McDonnell, J McNally, M McPolin; P McPeake (0-02,) D McKernan, L Mitchell; C McKernan (0-01,) C Murray; K Floyd (0-01,) N McKenna, C Glenholmes; N McAlea, G Lennon (0-03,) K McKernan (0-04)
Substitute scorers:
B Healy (1-00)
Gort Na Móna:
T McCaffrey; T Enright (0-03,) P McCaffrey, P Mulvenna; D McClean, P McHugh, D Boyd; A McDonagh (0-02) P Courmane; M Savage, C Carson, C Donnelly (0-01) B Burns, T Morton, S Campbell
