Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Sun Jul 28 - Men's Senior Football: Connemara Gaels v Donegal

In what is a preview of the Senior Championship Semi Final, Connemara Gaels met Donegal once again in the Senior Football Championship. In their last meeting, the Gaels were the victors, with a 3-12 to 1-16 victory. 

Donegal would open the scoring with two points from Ciaran Murtagh and a Mark Bradley free before Padraig McAnenly would get the Gaels on the board. Ciaran Murtagh would have a goal chance go off the post, however, Barry John Keane would soon after get the first goal of the match after a great pass from midfield to leave him one on one with Gaels Keeper Eoin Connolly, who was performing double duties on the day, having earlier in the day played in the Junior A match. Donegal seemed to be commanding the game early on, which was further seen as both teams were playing deep in the Donegal Half, allowing Donegal to score off the breaks. It would be the 17th minute before the Gaels would register their 2nd point as Keelan Sexton would send a well worked point over the bar. Donegal responded right away with a point from Cian Clinton, before the Gaels scored 3 unanswered points from Niall Kelly, Paudraig McAnenly and Adam Fallen. The teams would then go score for score to end the half, with Donegal in the lead 1-6 to 0-7.

The Gaels started the second half strongly to bring the game level with points from Sexton and McAnenly. They would then have a bit of bad luck, as Paddy McGee’s shot on goal would be denied by the blackspot to deny them the lead. It wouldn’t be long though before they finally took the lead, when Sean Connelly would score a point to take the lead. Donegal wouldn’t stay away though, as they responded with scores of their own from Mark Bradley and Shane Carthy to once again take the lead. It would be the Clare County player who would once again tie up the game as Keelan Sexton would score the Gaels first goal of the game. They continued to press on goal with a number of points and the momentum was clearly in the Gaels favor, as they would outscore Donegal 7 points to 2. Both teams would have a number of goal chances, the Gaels who had a number of well played balls go just wide, and Donegal who wold be denied by the Naomh Anna Leitir Mor keeper Eoin Connolly who once again was a force to be reckoned with. It would be the Connemara Gaels who would once again be the victors with a 1-17 to 1-11 win.

With this victory, both teams place in the standings remain. However with a victory next weekend against the unbeaten Aidan McAnespies, the Gaels could potentially take first place. Donegal will surely regroup and work on their failings in todays matchup, and surely will be a strong force to be reckoned with come finals.

Donegal: Hugh Boyle, Aaron Deeney, Aidan Sullivan, Neil McEneany, Jason Noctor, Sean Doherty, Cian Clinton, Shane Carthy, Jack O’Brien, Mark Bradley, Ciaran Murtagh, Gary Walsh, Barry John
Connemara Gaels: Eoin Connolly, Niall Kelly, Adam Fallen, Nial Collins, Colm Shaughnessy, Cian Murphy, Nathan Donnelly, Ray Caffery, Nathan O’Neil, Sean Connelly, Paddy McGee, Keelan Sexton, Padraig McAnenely

Written By: Evan McDonagh

No comments: