Connemara Gaels v Shannon Blues

Connemara Gaels 3-4 Shannon Blues 1-0

The industrious Connemara Gaels came away with a win against a dogged Shannon Blues who made the Gaels work hard for the win. The Gaels missed plenty of chances throughout, but limited the Blues to a goal from a Gary Henry penalty.




Shannon Blues' Kieran Sullivan plays the ball.

 The first half was as low scoring as they come. The Blues opened well attacking the Gaels but missed their first couple of scoring chances. The Gaels got on the scoreboard with a well taken Brian Carroll free which was soon followed by a goal from PJ Kelly. Kelly might have had a stroke of fortune as it looked like an effort at a point was hit a little low and the ball carried into the top corner of the net. The Gaels got it together and passed the ball well, but missed some easy chances to score. James Feeney at wing forward and Pat Murray in the middle of the field worked hard, but the Blues passing let them down when in the opposing half and the ball turned over too often for their liking.



With the Gaels leading by five points, substitute Tommy Walsh pointed soon after the restart from a free, the Blues were right back in the game. A high ball into the box resulted in a foul on Tommy Herron. Gary Henry came up from his goalkeeping position and neatly slotted the ball to the keeper’s right. Any lift the Blues may have had was short-lived however as the Gaels had an answer right away. PJ Kelly capitalized on a ball that bobbled in the box and punched home to restore the difference to five. Walsh, who proved effective after coming on, again won his own free and put it over. Joe Geoghegan put any doubt to bed as he finished a crossed ball from Brian Carroll and Walsh put the finishing touches on proceedings with a point from a free.



With the win the Gaels advance to face an impressive looking Wolfe Tones side. For the Blues a spirited performance was not quite enough, but there were one or two performances that will provide encouragement for the season ahead.



Gaels: B. Joyce, M. Coyne, W. Callaghan, V. O’Malley, B. Murphy, B. O’Halloran, M. Geoghegan, G. O’Malley, T. McDonagh, J. Geoghegan, E. McGlinchy, B. Carroll, PJ Kelly. Blues: G. Henry, M. Green, C. Murray, M. Keegan, B. Driscoll, M. Coyne, P. Murray, N. Murray, K. Sullivan, JP Devane, J. Feeney, T. Herron, L. O’Neill.


By Rory O'Donnell