Sunday June 25 - Senior Football: Galway v Christopher's

Galway 1-18 Christopher’s 3-11

Another senior football contest that went down to the wire, though Galway may feel that had they lost this game, they would have given it away.  At one point the Tribesmen led by 6 points coming into the final quarter and were sitting pretty.  Christopher’s kept with it and drew level with 2 minutes to go after a James Horgan goal, one that followed an Eddie Goggin strike.  Galway, however, came back and slotted two points over the bar to capture the points.

Cian Darcy moves in block James Horgan's shot.

Galway finished the first half well to go into the break with a three point lead.  In the final 10 minutes, Galway outscored Christopher’s by five points to one.  Galway’s forwards were all on form, Alex Kenny, Cian McMonagle and Ryan Forde all hit the mark down the stretch. 

The early exchanges saw a goal for each side.  Eddie Goggin netted for Christopher’s following a well worked move, while for Galway it was a penalty that brought them level.  Forde was pulled back by Martin Coppinger and the spot kick was dispatched by Kenny.  Christopher’s well in the game but with work to do to rein in Galway’s strike force.

Galway started the second half the way they ended the first, with a series of rapid fire points.  Alan Egan was always available in the middle of the field, and the Galway half back line did enough to disrupt Christopher’s efforts.  Galway’s lead was extended by another 3 points, with McMonagle, Egan and Kenny doing the damage. 

It was Goggin who Christopher’s relied on for their scores, and as time wore on it was clear that it would goals that were needed.  A goal did come, from Goggin, following a high ball into the box to Dan Kenneally.  After the teams traded scores, and with full time minutes away Christopher’s leveled the scores with a second goal, this time from substitute, James Horgan. 

David Murphy on the ball for Galway.

Immediately from the kickout, however, Galway rallied with Cian Darcy winning a clean kickout to put Galway on the attack, and subsititute, Brian Reape, putting a close range free over.  Reape added a second for comfort, and Christopher’s final chance ended up over, rather than under, the bar with the players crowded into the box under a dropping ball.  Galway with their second win, and Christopher’s one step closer, but no cigar.

Galway:  Jamie Kelly, David Murphy, Ruairi Greene, Stuart Cullen, Dylan McHugh, Kieran Molloy, Cian Darcy, Alan Egan, Jamie Kehoe, Alex Kenny, Ryan Forde, Kevin Cummins, Cian McMonagle.

Christopher’s:  Mark Delaney, Martin Coppinger, Mark Killeen, Paudie Kenneally, Sam Ryan, Greg Henry, Sean O’Leary, Dan Grehan, Coleman Kennedy, Conor Horgan, Shane Dooey, Eddie Goggin, Dan Kenneally.

By Rory O'Donnell