This article is from page 68 of the 2011-08-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 68 JPG
Shannon Gaels 0-9 – St Joseph’s Miltown 0-6 at St Michael ’s Park, Kilmihil
SHANNON Gaels opened up the group once more following their fully merited victory over a disappointing Miltown side on Sunday. Such was the control of the Gaels for the majority of this tie that they could afford to kick 12 wides and play with only 14 men for the final 22 minutes of the game and still comfortably come out on top.
However, as much as that was a testament to the battling qualities of Shannon Gaels, it was also a clear indictment on a Miltown side that failed to muster up the same intensity and character that saw them beat the same opposition at the same venue to win the Cusack Cup just over a year ago.
Granted, they were without county senior captain Gordon Kelly, Kevin Burke and Gearoid Curtin but after an encouraging opening against St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield, they quickly sunk back down to earth in this crunch encounter.
Instead, it was the Gaels who forced the pace for the majority, even if they were quite wasteful with the wind at the backs in the opening period. Following Joe Curtin’s opening point for Miltown in the fourth minute, the Gaels settled with four Michael Coughlan frees to open up a 0-4 to 02 lead by the 14th minute. However, despite a large share of possession, they failed to build upon that advantage, kicking seven wides for the remainder of the half and it opened the door for Miltown to hit back with two Eoin Curtin frees and gain parity by the break.
Now with wind advantage, Miltown were expected to kick on from that juncture but instead, the Gaels dug in and upped the ante once more with John Bermingham, Michael Coughlan and John Paul O’Neill adding points in the opening seven minutes to push 0-7 to 0-4 clear.
However, just as it seemed that the game was slipping away from Miltown, the harsh dismissal of Shannon Gaels midfielder Noel Kennedy handed them an unlikely lifeline. It was a second chance that Miltown simply couldn’t benefit from however as they failed to supply their forward unit adequately while the Gaels’ determination saw them actually pull further away through Coughlan and O’Neill to lead by 0-9 to 0-4 by the 52nd minute.
The expected Miltown fightback eventually arrived, but it was much too little too late as they finally opened their second account in the 57th minute with a Dessie Molohan point from distance, while Sean Malone added a second on the hour mark.
Following their first round defeat to Cratloe, the Gaels’ championship hopes are back in their own hands, with a final round showdown with bottom side Doora/Barefield to come before they realise their fate. Miltown are also in with a shout but will have to be much transformed side to oust leaders Cratloe from their lofty perch.
Shannon Gaels
Keith Ryan (7), Frank Cleary
(7), John Neylon (9), Fergal Kenny (7),Tomás Madigan (7), Brian Bermingham(7),Tomás Cleary (8), Michéal O’Donoghue (8), Noel Kennedy (7), John Bermingham(7) (0-1), Sean Reynolds (8), Cathal O’Neill (6), Michael Coughlan (7) (0-6f), John Paul O’Neill (7) (0-2), David Neylon (7)