Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Intermediate Football - Christopher's v Shannon Blues

Christopher’s 2-14 Shannon Blues 0-15

Christopher's emerged victorious Saturday v the Blues

Goals win games they say, and it proved to be a true statement on Saturday afternoon as Christopher’s netted twice in the second half to win the points in a tight encounter with the Shannon Blues.  It was Alan Kennedy who was the main protagonist on the scoreboard for Christopher’s, and Tom Murnane for the Blues.  With the scores tied at 10 points each early on the second half Kennedy hit with a goal for Christopher’s.  Late in the half the Blues had pulled the deficit back to a point, but again a goal set them back.  The second came from the boot of Paudie Kenneally, and more or less secured both points.

The first half ebbed and flowed.  Neither side could gain a sustained period on top.  Rian Baily and Murnane’s points were canceled out by two scores from Kennedy for Christopher’s.  Christopher’s sought out Kennedy at every opportunity, and the Westport native was assured on the ball, whether it was a shot or a pass.  Bailey and Murnane were the main danger points for the Blues, and had another two points on the board, along with a free from Niall Walsh and the Blues looked more clinical and led by 3 after15 minutes.

The game turned in Christopher’s favor in the second quarter.  Luke Tunney began making dangerous runs up the wing to support the pay, and Conor McGuinness started to find his feet and dominate in the middle of the field.  Christopher’s scored 6 unanswered, 4 from Kennedy with Tunny and McGuinness chipping in with one each, before the Blues mustered another score, this one from Walsh at center forward.  Before the break Kennedy scored a peach of a point, dummying with one side and putting over with the other, while Walsh slotted over a free to make it a 0-9 to 0-6 half time advantage for Christopher’s.

Despite the loss, the Blues will fancy their chances for the Intermediate title

The Blues opened the second half intent on making amends and within 10 minutes the scores were level.  Conall Ryan, Murnane (2 points) scored for the Blues and for Christopher’s, well, it was Kennedy with right footed score.  0-10 each before Christopher’s hit with their first goal.  The warning signs were there when Sean Igoe snatched at a goal chance and sent it wide earlier, but the second time around for Christopher’s Kennedy finished low after a turnover and the Blues had to play catch-up all over again.  A free from Kennedy made it a 4 point difference heading into the final quarter.

The Blues remained patient and made a push to salvage something from the game.  A great score from Murnane was answered with 2 from Christopher’s, James Horgan and McGuinness.  The Blues however pulled within a point following 4 unanswered scores.  Mike Moylan pushed the Blues with his running, and points from Walsh, Bailey and 2 from Murnane had the game in the balance with minutes left.  A pointed Kennedy free for Christopher’s was followed by a great goal from Paudie Kenneally.  Kenneally intercepted a loose pass well inside his own half as the Blues were pushing late in the game, and continued his run till he got the final pass before finishing with aplomb to secure the points for Christopher’s.  Tis intermediate championship is really up for grabs, with these two teams along with Kerry fancying their chances at a trophy in 2022.

Blues:  Conor Fitzgerald, Tom Armstrong, Teddy Shay, Derek O’Brien, Pat Moylan, Mike Moylan, Jack Young, Pat Murray, Rian Bailey, Niall Walsh, Tom Murnane, Paul McManus, Conall Ryan.  Christopher’s:  Pat Delaney, Jake Kelly, Conor Murphy, Andrew Inman, Paudy Kenneally, Luke Tunney, Diarmuid Baker, Conor McGuinness, Jerry Kenneally, James Horgan, Sean Igoe, Mark McSweeney, Alan Kennedy.

By Rory O'Donnell

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