Senior Football: Christopher's v Shannon Blues

Christopher’s 1-18 Shannon Blues 1-6

Christopher’s recorded their first win of the season at the expense of the Shannon Blues.  Christopher’s came flying out of the blocks and the Blues were never really at the races.  Christopher’s had the game in the bag early in the second half and more or less played out the time.  The Blues engineered a handful of goal opportunities that just would not go in to even provide some degree of consolation late in the game.

Syl Byrne mounts another Christopher's attack.

The first half saw Christopher’s come full belt at the Blues and did not let their opponents settle.  A quick 1-1 contrasted with the Blues who missed an early chance at a point and then at a goal.  Niall Hughes pointed and Danny Neville followed with a well taken goal.  With Christopher’s seemingly winning every kickout four unanswered points followed, Neville, Cormac Collins, Kevin Hodgins and Andrew Murphy. 

The Blues initiated some attacks however their efforts were wayward before George Bastible got his side off the mark.  Paul O’Sullivan soon added another point, but for the Blues that would be their final score of the opening period.  Christopher’s were flying and the midfield tandem of Syl Byrne and Conor O’Brien dominated.  O’Brien pointed twice, Collins and Neville once each to see Christopher’s sitting on a 1-11 to 0-2 half time lead.

The Blues battled hard but could not come to
grips with the game.

The pace of the game slowed down somewhat in the second half as legs tired in the heat.  Christopher’s extended the lead by three points, Syl Byrne and Neville the scorers, while center back Andrew Murphy had matters fairly in control.  When the Blues threatened they were let down by turnovers, some forced some unforced.  The highlight of their day was a great goal finished by Brian Ryal, some quick hand passing left Ryal with the open net to fist the ball into.

Ruairi Lavelle was called into action to save from close range shortly thereafter and the missed chance was one of a handful that fell the Blues way in the late stages.  Points from Tervor Wallace and Conor Cox put some respectability on the scoreboard but Christopher’s were happy to maintain the slow pace and see out the win.  It looks like there will be a real battle over the next few weeks to avoid being the team that misses out on the playoffs.

Christopher’s:  R. Lavelle, D. Kelliher, R. Vallejo, S. Lonergan, A. Murphy, J. Horgan, S. Byrne, C. O’Brien, J. Murphy, C. Collins, N. Hughes, K. Hodgins, D. Neville.  Blues:  E. Whelan, S. Kelly, P. O’Sullivan, C. Cofffey, G. Cuniffe, T. Wallace, M. Young, D. Somers, D. McElligott, S. Moriarty, G. Bastible, B. Ryal, C. Cox.

By Rory O'Donnell