Sat June 10 - Intermediate Football - Shannon Blues v Connemara Gaels

 By Alana Loftus 

The game kicked off with a point from the Shannon Blues number 9, Gavin Duffy, a summer transfer from Sligo. His score was matched by teammate Lee Deignan (11), who secured a point and attempted another which fell short and was saved by the Gaels goalie James Keoghan.

Cian Fagan and Derek O'Brien take the toss from
referee Frankie Maloney.

Connemara Gaels number 11, Keelan Beirne, scored their first point of the game. Beirne, a new home-based player, is a former Roscommon U21 star, and key senior player for from Strokestown GAA in County Roscommon. A handpass over the bar secured another point for Shannon Blues Conor Fitzgerald (10). Scoring alternated between the teams for a period until an incredible run from Blues number 11, resulted in a goal scored by Gearoid Hassett (13). Hasset was fouled shortly after and the free was taken by Deignan (11) who was unsuccessful in the conversion.

Gaels dominated the next few minutes of the game, with a burst of scores that put them into the lead. A goal was scored by Michael McDonagh (13), followed by points from Keelan Beirne (11), Liam Toye (7), and Jack Donnelly (8). A free kick taken by Beirne (11) from the 45 line was unsuccessful, but he redeemed himself with a point from play shortly afterwards.

The first half finished up with a point from Gaels number 10, Enda Kelly, bringing the half time score to Connemara Gaels 1-07 to Shannon Blues 1-05.

 

The Gaels dominated the opening minutes of the second half once again with points from Beirne (11), Enda Kelly (10), and Stalwart player Michael Coyne (4). The Gaels scores crept up gradually widening the gap between the teams. After a prolonged period without a score, the Blues came back with a point from number 16, a sub that came on in the second half. Back in the swing of things once again, Lee Deignan (11) punched a goal into the net, restoring the Blues’ confidence. A substitution for the Gaels saw Keelan Beirne (11) replaced by substitute number 15. At this point, the Blues are one point behind their rivals and working hard to pass them. An incredible run from Gaels number 8, Jack Donnelly put them on par with the Blues. Donnelly, now on a roll, secured another point, putting his team back in the lead. His energy was matched by Gaels Gavin Duffy (9) whose point put the teams back on an even score, with minutes to go.

 

The game finished in a draw with a final score of Connemara Gaels 1-16 to Shannon Blues 3-10.

 

Shannon Blues:

1.    Nick Albarran

2.    Derek O’Brien

3.    Owen-Roe McGowan

4.    Brian Fannon

5.    Eoin Clifford

6.    Patrick Moriarty

7.    Jack Young

8.    Patrick Murray

9.    Gavin Duffy

10. Conor Fitzgerald

11. Lee Deignan

12. James Feeney

13. Gearoid Hasset

 

Connemara Gaels:

1.    James O’Donnell

2.    Cian Fagan

3.    James Flaherty

4.    Michael Coyne

5.    Sean Seoighe

6.    Eoin Faherty

7.    Liam Toye

8.    Jack Donnelly

9.    Nessan O’Donnell

10. Enda Kelly

11. Keelan Beirne

12. Padraic McDonagh

13. Michael McDonagh