Sun July 30 - Senior Football: Connemara Gaels v Christopher's

The Connemara Gaels and St. Christopher’s served up the first of three Men’s Senior Football games in Canton on Sunday. Although the Christopher’s were unable to qualify for the quarterfinals regardless of the result of this last league game, they showed much of the form that had them within margins of several big wins over the summer.

Dan Kenneally and Sean Andy Kelly tangle.  (Pic Brian Rooney)

The Gaels lined out with some changes from their last few outings. Tyrone net minder Sean Fox manned the Gaels goal, while Kerry Under-21s Tony Brosnan and Mathew O’Sullivan started in the full forward line. The first half proved to be a gritty affair, with neither side wanting to relinquish any chances on attack. Ryan Caffrey and Fergal Meenagh worked hard in the middle of the field for the Gaels, with the pace of Colman Mulkerrin on the break causing problems for the Christopher’s half back line.

O’Sullivan and Brosnan contributed with a few well-taken scores from either side before Gaels wing back Cillian Fahy got on the end of a pass from Brosnan and slotted the ball past Christopher’s goalkeeper Ryan Kennedy. The Christopher’s worked hard to keep themselves in the game before the half with Conor Horgan, Coleman Kennedy, and Greg Henry each contributing to the scoreboard. The halftime whistle found the teams with seven points between them, 1-7 for the Gaels and 3 points for the Christopher’s.

The Christopher’s wing backs, and cousins, Jack Lynch and Paudy Kenneally opened the second half with several well-worked attacks that could have resulted in a few Christopher’s scores only for the diligent defending of Niall McGinn and David Black in the Gaels back line. Danny Kenneally was the target man inside for the Christopher’s, with Sean Andy Kelly doing well to read and intercept much of the high ball coming in.

Ten minutes in and Tony Brosnan was the lone scorer of the half. It was back-and-forth football with both teams exhibiting some excellent defending while struggling with missed chances on the attack. Sam Ryan gained possession around the Gaels ’45 before being taken down just outside the 14 yard-line. The Gaels manned the line, but the Christopher’s managed to find a gap in the defense and converted the free for a goal. The Gaels immediately responded by working the ball back up the field where Don O’Driscoll found Tony Brosnan across the square for a palm into the back of the Christophers net. Galway Under-21 star Sean Andy Kelly received a black card for a rough tackle on Danny Kenneally and the Christopher’s sought to take advantage of the Leitir Mór man’s removal from the Gaels back line. Sean Conneely dropped back for the Gaels in the final minutes as the Christopher’s peppered their inside forwards in hopes of converting a few final chances.

The Gaels finish their regular season with three wins, and await the quarterfinals draw. It was another hard-fought shortcoming for the Christopher’s who, nonetheless, can take pride in their performances all summer.

Connemara Gaels: Sean Fox, Niall McGinn, Sean Andy Kelly, Don Donoghue, David Black, Cillian Fahy, Ryan Caffrey, Fergal Meenagh, Sean Conneely, Colman Mulkerrin, Ciaran Killeen, Mathew O’Sulivan, Tony Brosnan

St. Christopher’s: Ryan Kennedy, Martin Coppinger, Sean Coppinger, Paudy Kenneally, Sam Ryan, Jack Lynch, Sean O’Leary, Dan Grehan, Conor Horgan, Coleman Kennedy, Greg Henry, Danny Kenneally, Eddie Goggin

By Aisling Kerr