OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship Group 2 – Round 3
Saturday 30th August
Report by Niall Kelly from Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh
Gort Na Móna 1-13 Naomh Comhghall 2-13
St Comgall’s survived a resurgent second half performance from Gort Na Móna to give themselves a fighting chance of advancing to the knock-out stages of this year’s Intermediate Championship. A potent display in front of the posts in the first half ensured a handsome nine-point lead at the interval thanks to goals from Lewis Higgins and Tom Pratchett. However, a gallant come-back effort from the hosts fully tested the metal and character of Barry Burn’s charges who just scrambled over the finish line with enough to spare.
It was tit for tat in the opening exchanges as both teams had a spring in their step in their offensive pursuits with the two number fifteens, Tom Pratchett and Dessie McClean trading points. Despite enjoying the lion’s share of early possession, the Gorts lacked the potency that their counterparts had in front of the posts as their wide count began to grow. They were made to pay in ruthless fashion though as James McCabe’s bustling run off the left flank teed up Lewis Higgins who made no mistake with his finish to the onion bag on the tenth minute.
The visitor’s tails were up now and the dynamic runs of Dylan Murdock from half back were causing problems, opening up holes in the Gort Na Móna rearguard. A flowing move stemming from their trusty number five was again to result in a consecutive major as Tom Pratchett finished emphatically to the roof of the net to open up a six-point lead midway through the half. The Turflodge side responded in positive fashion though as they would hit the next three scores thanks to McClean, Manus McMullan and Sean Campbell who finished off a flowing move.
Just as it seemed the hosts were regaining a foothold in proceedings, Antrim took charge once again and were spearheaded by marksman in chief, Pratchett. The Comgall’s number fifteen hit two spectacular two pointed efforts, including an absolute peach with a free off the carpet from a very tight angle, which he curled to perfection. The visitors finished the half off in style with a fisted Pratchett effort and a fine score from centre forward Miles Devine to leave the scores 0-04 to 2-07 as the teams retreated for the interval
Whatever words of encouragement echoed around the home changing room; they certainly had a resounding effect as Niall Mulrine’s troops would battle right to the last in the second period. The home side hit the first two points through a familiar source with Dessie McClean on target for both, including a very impressive effort from an acute angle. However, the roving runs of Dylan Murdock caused problems again as the industrious number five replied with two of his own. The opposing number sevens, Padraig Cournane and Caolan O’Loan then traded scores midway through the half before James McCabe opened his account for the visitors. It was now or never for Gort Na Móna who rallied superbly and really took a stranglehold of affairs going into the last knockings. A two pointer from talisman Dessie McClean dented into the lead before goalkeeper Jack Ireland demonstrated his prowess from distance with a well-executed forty-five.
Sensing blood in the water, the men from the Móna bypass began to probe for an all-important goal which would really bring the game into the melting pot. Their wishes were granted on the fiftieth minute as Jack Thompson rose like a salmon to palm in Shane Scullion’s flighted ball inside to trigger an almighty roar from the home sideline. Substitute Padraig Mulvenna followed this up with a great score and suddenly there was a mere kick of the ball between them which had seemed so unlikely only minutes before.
Naomh Comhghall were certainly under the cosh now and desperately needed a score to settle the nerves. They were delighted to see Ruairi Griffin fire over a fine point to bolster their lead. However, Gort Na Móna were not to be discouraged and forward they came once more as Cournane doubled his tally before Caoimhin Beck announced his arrival with another white flag on the twenty ninth minute to narrow the gap to two. With Piaras McCaffery’s watch now into time added on, it was all to play for. The hosts launched an aerial barrage on the Antrim rearguard with Christopher Carson put inside to cause havoc. Unfortunately for the Gorts, despite their gallant efforts, it just wouldn’t stick as resolute and composed defending from their opponents extinguished their hopes of completing a remarkable comeback. Tom Pratchett hit the final score of the game thanks to a free from an infraction as the Antrim side held firm.
Antrim will now turn their intentions to their crucial clash at home to Glenavy. St Joseph’s have already sealed safe passage through and will be a stern test. The Dunsilly side will have a keen eye on tomorrow’s meeting between St Teresa’s and Davitts which will have ramifications for them. For Gort Na Móna, they will surely be crestfallen with the result. However, they can take solace from their second half performance. There is certainly potential amongst their youthful ranks.
Teams:
Gort Na Móna:
J Ireland (0-01;) D Cahill, C McCabe, C Donnelly; S Campbell (0-01,) M Savage, P Cournane (0-02;) C Magee, T Morton; B Burns, C Carson, M McMullan (0-01;) S Scullion, J Thompson (1-00) D McClean (0-06 – 0-04 & 1t.p.)
Substitute scorers:
P Mulvenna (0-01)
C Beck (0-01)
Naomh Comhghall:
M Emery; S Hinphey, S Óg Gribben, D O’Hara; D Murdock (0-02,) J McCabe (0-01,) C O’Loan (0-01;) J Henry, L Higgins (1-00;) R Griffin (0-01,) M Devine (0-01,) A McGraw; A McHugh, R Clark, T Pratchett (1-07 – 1-03 & 2t.p.)