Sun Aug 10 - Senior Football: Wolfe Tones v Connemara Gaels

Connemara Gaels 1-10 Wolfe Tones 1-15

Wolfe Tones pulled off a feat that they had never accomplished before, a senior championship playoff victory.  The Tones led at the break, but mid way through the half the Gaels took a brief lead after Ruairi Corrigan goaled.  While a Tones collapse may have been anticipated, this time the Tones found a way to win.  The points sailed over the bar down the stretch to see the Tones into a semi-final next week against Aidan McAnespies.

Marty Farrell goes down under Sean Conneeley's challenge.

At the break the Tones held a four point lead in large part thanks to a Marty Farrell goal.  Early in the half it was the Tones putting the scares into the Gaels defence.  The South Boston lads were on top of the Gaels goal on a handful of occasions, and Farrell’s goal was the sum of the reward. 

For their part, the Gaels enjoyed plenty of the play as the half wore on, but the westerners missed several chances to pull closer to their opponents.  At the half it was a 1-6 to 0-5 Tones lead.  Points from Farrell and Michael Argue put the Tones into an early lead.  The Gaels’ Ger Leech, Calum McCormack and Ruairi Corrigan pointed five times between them for the Gaels. 

Up for the high ball.

The second half saw the Gaels look for Calum McCormack in the corner early and often.  The Westmeath man won plenty of ball, however, the Gaels missed a couple of goal chances before Corrigan netted to level the scores.  McCormack pointed to put the Gaels one to the good, cur the Tones collapse.  Not so as the Tones started to gain a foothold in the middle of the field.  Charles McCarthy switched with Michael Argue and possession fell increasingly favour of the South Boston men.

The following period saw the Tones outscore the Gaels eight points to two to open a five point lead over the critical final quarter.  Farrell, McVeety, Sean Higgins, and Lee Carr each put a dagger in Gaels hearts as the Tones dominated.  Each Tones possession seemed to end in a score.  The Gaels went in search of goals as the clock was against them, and the Tones held firm at the back not allowing even a half chance to their opponents.  A huge win for Tones against the defending champions to see them into next week against arch rivals, Aidan McAnespies.

Gaels:  E. Connolly, J. Donoghue, S. Connelly, C. Mulkerrins, C. Daly, J. Egan, C. Jones, C. Harkin, G. Leech, N. Graham, R. Corrigan, D. McCormack, C. McCormack.  Tones:  C. Hynes, K. Clarke, D. McConon, S. Higgins, C. Cleere, M. O’Brien, L. Flynn, M. Argue, D. McVeety, G. O’Connell, G. Brilly, M. Farrell, C. McCarthy.

By Rory O'Donnell