IFC v Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall
Our Shay Murtagh Intermediate Football Championship prospects suffered an early setback when we succumbed to newly-promoted Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall by 0-17 to 3-11 in Killucan last Friday evening.
The concession of three goals, coupled with an inspired display by C-F/C/W goalkeeper Gary Sullivan, made for a disappointing start to our Section B campaign. We also kicked twice as many wides (10-5) as our opponents. In a game that was level six times, we led by 0-11 to 1-5 at half-time, but were overhauled in the third quarter before regaining the lead in the 49th minute through debutant Cillian Rochford.
But last year’s junior champions found an extra gear in the closing stages to claim the two points and put us on the backfoot ahead of a difficult Round 2 assignment against Castledaly in Tang on Saturday week, August 9 at 5.30pm.
In perfect conditions, the game got off to an explosive start when Padraig Carton’s point straight from the throw-in was replied to by a Mark Cunningham goal at the other end. Gary Sullivan was a thorn in our side all evening and gave us an early taster with a fine save from Cillian Rochford at the other end before Carton kicked his second point. Sullivan saved again, this time from Darragh Coffey, before a Nigel Scally free levelled proceedings in the fourth minute.
Ryan Plunkett and Scally traded frees before Aidan Daly slotted over Finea’s only two-pointer from a free. The lead changed hands again when a Dean Fitzgerald effort was followed by Nigel Scally’s first two-point free in the 20th minute. Joe Rabbitte levelled from a close-in free before we opened up a four-point lead thanks to Fitzgerald’s second point, another Scally two-point free and a Scally single-point free which was brought forward twice for dissent.
Rabbitte converted his second free in stoppage-time to leave it 0-11 to 1-5 in Kilbeggan’s favour at the break.
Whatever was said in the C-F/C/W dressing room had the desired effect as they were much the better team in the third quarter. Darragh McCormack got them motoring with a point before Ryan Plunkett had a goal attempt saved by Conor Mullins, who was making his championship debut along with Cillian Rochford. But Conor Gaffney made no mistake in the 40th minute with a clinical finish after Emmet Corrigan’s lovely pass had found him completely unmarked.
That goal edged the Cavan-border side back in front, 2-6 to 0-11, and with their tails now firmly up, Gaffney doubled their advantage.
The momentum briefly swung back in our favour after Fitzgerald finally opened our second half account in the 45th minute. Sullivan then produced an incredible save to deny Paul Fennell at the expense of a ’45 which Joey O’Neill struck again the upright, only for Fennell to point from the rebound to level for a fifth time.
Cillian Rochford restored our lead before we were dealt another huge blow when corner back Oisín Gaffney raised the winners’ third green flag in the 52nd minute after Mark Cunningham’s initial shot was half-blocked. Back we came again to level from a Scally free and a fisted point from substitute Conor Delaney.
Cunningham fisted Finea back in front before Delaney restored parity after Sullivan saved again from Niall Carey. But as a thrilling contest ticked into injury-time, the green and golds pulled away to win it. Ryan Plunkett edged them back in front from a 20-metre free after Conor Gaffney was fouled before Darragh McCormack and Plunkett, who fisted over with a goal at his mercy, made it a three-point game.
The drama didn’t end there as Paul Fennell was unceremoniously dragged down about 25 metres from goal, presenting Nigel Scally with a chance to salvage a draw with the last kick of the game. However, the captain’s powerfully-hit free rattled the crossbar, much to the relief of a packed Castletown-Finea goal-line who celebrated when the final whistle sounded moments later.
Scorers: Nigel Scally (2x pt fs, 4fs) 0-8, Dean Fitzgerald 0-3, Padraig Carton and Conor Delaney 0-2 each, Paul Fennell and Cillian Rochford 0-1 each.
Team: Conor Mullins; Martin Ward, James Fox, Mel Kiernan; Micheál Coffey, Colin Draper, Joey O’Neill; Niall Carey, Darragh Coffey; Paul Fennell, Cillian Rochford, Danny Scully; Padraig Carton, Nigel Scally, Dean Fitzgerald. Sub: Conor Delaney for Scully (49 min).
Win Oasis tickets!
It’s the biggest show in town this summer and we’re offering you the chance to win two tickets to see Oasis at Croke Park on Saturday, August 16.
This is an online-only competition, with one entry costing €5 and three costing €10. Go to our social media pages to enter. Closing date is this Friday, August 1, with the draw taking place on Bank Holiday Monday, August 4. Best of luck!
Lotto
Last week’s lucky numbers were 5, 16, 24 and 26. The two Match 3 winners were May McDaniel and Moss Keenan.
The jackpot has been capped at €15,000 until it is won again. Make sure to buy your tickets online or at Centra, Mace and Whelan’s. Thank you for your continued support.
