OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship – Group 1 – Round 4
Saturday 5th September
Report by Niall Kelly from Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh
Gort Na Móna 2-17 Naomh Úna 1-08
Gort Na Móna bounced back from defeat in their previous outing to grab a twelve point win over West Belfast rivals St Agnes’. In a display which was packed with pace and power, Gort’s gaffer Niall Mulrine will be thrilled with his charges as their ability to transition from defence to attack with vigour and precision was the telling difference. The host’s full-forward line packed a serious punch, inflicting the crux of the damage with Daire Keenan, Dessie McClean and Matthew McConnell dovetailing nicely and sharing 1-11 between them. Goals at the beginning of each half laid the gauntlet down to their opponents, however, credit must go to the Aggies whose industry never faltered despite the deficit. Conall Turley kept his side in touch at times and his prowess from range was a joy to behold.
The hosts had an electric start goaling with the game just two minutes old. A lofted ball in from the ever-dangerous Caoimhin Beck was anticipated perfectly by Matthew McConnell who sprung into the air to fist to the net from close range. This was quickly followed by a two-pointed free which was perfectly flighted from the trusty right boot of Jack Ireland.
Despite a shaky start, the Casement side responded well as Conall Turley converted a free from close range before slotting over an audacious two pointed effort from a near impossible angle to reduce the gap to two.
There was a real ebb and flow to proceedings now as Daire Keenan replied for the hosts extending his tally with a free from close range before the Gort’s dynamo Dessie McClean caressed a beautiful effort over off the outside of his right foot as the hosts were really purring. St Agnes’ responded yet again though as corner back Patrick Carroll bombed forward to tap over like a seasoned corner forward.
As the half progressed though, the visitors were finding it increasingly difficult to contain the velocity and tempo to the Turflodge side’s play and how rapidly they transitioned from defence to attack. Eoghan Corrigan epitomised this high octane style as he constantly offered an attacking threat from half back. The dynamic number seven was then rewarded for his industry as he stroked over a fine score before doubling his tally on the twentieth minute with a fisted effort.
With Paul Burn’s whistle to signal the interval imminent, there was just enough time for Keenan to convert his second free to increase the gap to six as the scoreboard illuminated 1-07 to 0-04 at the break.
The Gorts started the second half in exactly the same fashion as the first, notching five unanswered points in three minutes. The first came with only thirty seconds on the clock from a familiar source; Eoghan Corrigan fed Dessie McClean who made no mistake with his effort as he split the posts from range. McClean, who so often was at the centre of all things positive for his side, was then involved in the build up to the next score as he offloaded to Niall De Brún who threaded a pinpoint pass for Matthew McConnell to lay the finishing touches to a slick move. Things then went from bad to worse for the Aggies as McClean imprinted his stamp on proceedings again finding Caoimhin Beck in space. Bearing down on goal, the wing-forward only had one thing on his mind as he dispatched ruthlessly to the net with a rasping finish.
Despite facing an uphill battle, St Agnes’ refused to lie down and clawed back with two fine scores of their own. Paudie Meehan produced a lovely point, splitting the uprights from a very tight angle before Turley was at it again, perhaps outdoing his first-half effort, with a two-pointed free from an outrageous distance.
It didn’t take long though for the Gorts to find their groove again as they fired over the next three scores unanswered with the fleet-footed Daire Keenan grabbing all of them. Their ability to find men bombing forward off the shoulder proving too much for the battling Aggies defence.
Midway through the half though, the Casement side hit back with a goal of their own. A searching pass from Dee McGaharan was latched on to by Declan Crummey just outside the square as the big full-forward made no mistake with his fine finish, sweeping his effort in from close range.
Despite their tireless efforts, that would be as good as it got for the visitors as the hosts began to transition through the gears again. Dessie McClean rounded off his scoring feat with a superb two-pointer off the outside of his boot which kissed the post for good measure. Moments later, Caoimhin Beck found his bearings once again as he lofted over two curling efforts to cap off an accomplished display. With the game approaching its climax, Aggies’ substitute, Peter Lavery, who looked lively upon entering the fray, fisted over from close range to grab a consolation point and round off the evening’s scoring.
Although it has been a tough season for St Agnes’, they can still take some solace from their never-say-due attitude throughout this Intermediate campaign. They’ve shown flashes of the football which saw them crowned double winners last year in the Junior grade and will no doubt look to bounce back next year.
Gort Na Móna, with a revitalising sprinkling of youthful exuberance amongst their ranks, are beginning to look a real threat and seemingly a club on the up. Their progress from last year is clear to see as they now look to be in poll position to grab second place and clinch safe passage to the semi-finals. Victory against Davitts in two weeks would seal the deal and they look a side hungry to do just that.
Teams:
Gort Na Móna:
Anton Farrelly; Darren Cahill, Ciaran Donnelly, Padraig Cournane; Tiarnan Morton, Michael Savage, Eoghan Corrigan (0-02;) Jack Ireland (0-02 – 1tpf,) Christopher Carson; Caoimhin Beck (1-02,) Padraig Mulvenna, Niall De Brún; Daire Keenan (0-06,) Dessie McClean (0-04 – 1tp,) Matthew McConnell (1-01)
Naomh Úna:
Bob Carroll; Michael McKillop, Briondan McLarnon, Patrick Carroll (0-01;) Mark Caldwell, Conall Turley (0-05 – 2tpf,) Killian McCormick; Patrick Mulgrew, Daniel Gillespie; Conor Gregory, Kevin Floyd, Conor McGoran; Cormac McBride, Declan Crummey (1-00,) Colin Mallon
Substitute scorers:
Paudie Meehan (0-01)
Peter Lavery (0-01)
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