Christopher's 3-11 Shannon Blues 1-17
Christopher's and the Blues played out a draw in a bizarre
and exciting finish to the game. For
three quarters of the game a win looked likely for Christopher's who rode two
first half goals well into the second half.
But the Blues kept chipping away as Christopher's seemed content to sit
on their lead. The Blues closed the gap
until Kieran Hurley put his side a point to the good with full time
approaching. Christopher's then looked
to have pulled out a win after a Gary O'Leary goal, only for Cathal McHugh to
level it with a goal in the final action of the game.
 |
| Quinlivan Scores for Christopher's |
Shannon Blues started the game minus 2 key players. Barry Hartnett suffered a season ending
injury last week, and Barry John Keane pulled a hamstring during the week. Christopher's started off at a blistering
pace and pulled into an early 5 point lead.
Gary O'Leary and Kevin McAllister in the forward line looked dangerous,
and at corner forward Michael Quinlivan was an ever looming threat. O'Leary, Quinlivan, and McAllister accounted
for points, and O'Leary a goal. After
the Blues pulled back a point another goal came from Quinlivan who
acrobatically fielded a high ball and after faking the keeper, shot low and the
ball made it across the line. It was now a 7 point Christopher's lead and the
champions had it all to do. The Blues
found a rhythm eventually. Darragh
Treacy was his usual hard working self, while Hurley a proven scorer started to
heat up. Treacy, Hurley, and Cathal
Moriarty combined for 4 points between them before the break to keep their side
in touch at the break, 2-4 to 0-7.
 |
| Treacy Shoots for the Blues. |
The Blues came storming back in the second half after
Christopher's had opened a 5 point lead.
At one stage Hurley pointed five times in a row, 2 from frees to draw
the Blues within a point of their opponents.
Christopher's had stretched their lead to 5 points. Scores from Brady, Quinlivan, and O'Leary had
Christopher's looking comfortable, but then came the Blues. Hurley's string of points brought his side
within a point before a burst forward from David Culhane, as if to try and
waken his side up, resulted in a point by O'Leary. The Blues restored parity with points from
Cathal McHugh and Hurley as Christopher's continued to concede possession in
the middle of the field. Substitute
Conor Fitzgerald did well for the Blues after coming on and won a free that
Hurley pointed to put the Blues one to the good. It looked like a famous comeback was going to
go down in Shannon Blues lore, but then came a final burst from
Christopher's. A great move that
involved McAllister opening the Blues back line with a run resulted in a goal
from O'Leary. After it was followed by a
Quinlivan point and the clock in injury time, Christopher's looked like they
had snatched that famous win away from the Blues. Not to be as the Blues drove forward once
more and won a free inside the 14.
Christopher's defenders failed to line the goal and an inital shot was
well saved by Paudie Kenneally, but McHugh was alert to the rebound to
net. A crazy end to a very entertaining
game. The Blues finished the season in
top spot with the draw. Christopher's won
second place and both teams get the bye into the semi-final.
Christopher's: P.
Kenneally, D. Culhane, C. Murphy, M. Delaney, D. O'Sullivan, M. Hunt, M.
Mennis, D. Kenneally, K. McAllister (0-2), G. O'Leary (2-3), P. Quirke, M.
Quinlivan (1-2), C. Brady (0-3).
Blues: D. O'Brien, S. Kelly, G.
Ryan, K. Hartnett, P. Domican, G. Cunniffe, S. Brosnan, M. Butler, S. Moriarty,
D. Treacy (0-1), C. Moriarty (0-1), C. McHugh (1-2), K. Hurley (0-13).
By Rory O'Donnell
No comments:
Post a Comment