Galtee Gaels exit after extra time

Ballysteen 2-8 Galtee Gaels 1-9

After an absorbing eighty plus minutes under lights at Rathkeale on last Thursday night, Ballysteen held on to win by two points. They were under fierce pressure from a Galtee Gaels side that fought tooth and nail to the very last kick of the match.

A strong cross field wind made football difficult, but the rain just held off. The one hundred plus attendance certainly got value for money as they cheered on their respective teams. Galtee Gaels lined out as against Ballylanders with the exception of Adam O’Keeffe still recovering from injury picked up in that game.

Galtee Gaels set the ball rolling from the throw in with Jack Moriarty advancing under strong pressure to set up Kaelan Hogan for a well-executed goal. Zack McCarthy replied to a brace of Ballysteen points when he converted a free but by the eleventh minute the scores were level 1-1 to 0-4.

The hard working centre back Jack Ryan drove forward to win a free which Zack converted and Conor McGrath extended the lead to two points at the delayed water break.

Cian Lewis did well to parry a close range shot over the bar, as Ballysteen had a dominant ten minutes before half time. The equaliser followed and Galtee Gaels defended heroically to retain the status quo at the short whistle. Good defending by the powerful Luke Cooney with support from Declan Moriarty and Paddy O’Callaghan plus some erratic shooting meant that the teams were all square when John Paul Kiely showed a black card to Zack McCarthy and blew the short whistle.

Kaelem Breedy saw his early shot come back off the upright before Ballysteen struck for a decisive goal. The third minute attack emerged from the left wing, the low powerful shot travelled with precision between upright and keeper.

Con Dunne was introduced for the injured Jack Moriarty as Ballysteen were unable to extend their lead against a determined Galtee Gaels fourteen with midfielders Conor McGrath and Tommy Walsh working hard against an effective Ballysteen duo. Vincent Fitzgibbon’s hard graft was rewarded with a point while the Shannonsiders failed to capitalise on their chances.

The last quarter opened with a black card for Ballysteen, but the scores remained static while the said player rested. The margin was down to a point when Fitzgibbon won a hard earned free for McCarthy to covert. The latter extended the game into extra time when his sheer persistence under pressure produced the equaliser.

EXTRA TIME

McCarthy sent over a point on the restart, but Galtee Gaels were struggling somewhat. Their very short puck outs as practised throughout the game unravelled, but Ballysteen’s shortcomings in front of goals were woeful. They broke a thirty minute failure to score however to go 1-8 to 1-7 ahead. That tally stood the end of the first period when Luke Cooney’s sterling contribution was prematurely ended via a black card.

Galtee Gaels - with Declan Moriarty now at full back - pressed forward and in the second minute McCarthy equalised. Midway through the period Ballysteen produced a lightening counter attack from deep in their own defence, each transfer gained meters along the wing.

Galtee Gaels failed to disrupt the progress and Ballysteen gained their second green flag. Both sides were down to fourteen as a Ballysteen player received his marching orders. McCarthy advanced once more and earned a free which yielded a point.

In the closing minutes Galtee Gaels camped in Ballysteen space, but were unable to penetrate the blanket defence although Kaelan Hogan had a chance parried for a 45.

Galtee Gaels: Cian Lewis, Declan Moriarty, Luke Cooney, Padraig O’Callaghan, Kealem Breedy, Jack Ryan, Ollie Walsh, Conor McGrath, Tommy Walsh, Paddy English, Zach McCarthy, Vincent Fitzgibbon, Jack Moriarty, Mark Walsh, Kaelan Hogan, Jack O’Callaghan, Matthew Carroll, Con Dunne and Adam O’Keeffe.

EARLIER PRELIMINARY STAGES Galtee Gaels 0-13 Ballylanders 1-8

As Galtee Gaels and Ballylanders received walkovers from Bruff and qualified for the play off stages, this tie was just to decide the final places on the table.

Played at Ballylanders on September 5th it proved to be a keenly contested tie. Galtee Gaels played the better in the first half and were full value for their seven point halftime lead.

Ballylanders recovered well in the second half and the game came to life with the home crowd urging on their team. A goal mid-way through reduced the margin to a very manageable three points.

A pair of unanswered points reduced the margin further and Ballylanders looked to be coasting.

In a flurry of excitement every decision made by John Scully was challenged as both teams were determined to win the bragging rights. Galtee Gaels pointed per Mark Walsh to bring slight relief as Ballylanders drove forward in the final minutes alas to no avail.

Galtee Gaels scorers: Zack McCarthy and Mark Walsh (0-5) each, Conor McGrath (0-2), Kaelan Hogan (0-1). Galtee Gaels were well served by Cian Lewis, Luke Cooney, Ollie Walsh, Mark Walsh and Zach McCarthy.

Team manager Conor Moriarty and his dedicated selectors Padraig McGrath and Alan Coughlan were very encouraged with the response they received from the panel who trained diligently since April.

The win over Ballylanders was notable as it was a rare achievement by this age group. In summing up, Conor Moriarty was delighted with the progress achieved by the panel, but bemoaned the lack of games at this critical age level. The Covid19 disruption and the low priority amongst clubs made extra games impossible to arrange.

MUNGRET OUTSCORE GALTEE GAELS

Galtee Gaels U13 team played Mungret at Crescent College Grounds on last Thursday evening, September 13. Michael Roche (ex Ballinamona and Galtee Gaels) took charge of the game. His son was on the Mungret lineout.

Galtee Gaels, with the aid of the strong slope on the grounds, opened brightly and quickly went on attack. Edward Moriarty had the first point of the game. A minute later a green flag was waving at the other end when the Galtee Gaels failed to pick up an unmarked forward.

Michael Noonan, under pressure, advanced to score the visitors second point before Robbie Ryan won the puck out and set up Paul Quane for his first score. He added his second shortly afterwards with a splendidly taken free to regain the lead.

The much stronger Mungret fifteen came more into the game and had two further green flags as the heavy mist dominated the play for the remainder of the game. Approaching half-time Scott Reidy shot home for close range to leave the half-time score at 3-0 to 1-4.

Mungret dominated the second half-their advantage in strength and height too much for Galtee Gaels to counter. Their confidence grew with each score and their unselfish play paid dividends.

Jack Prendergast, did well under constant pressure, William Fitzgerald never gave up, Olin Ryan and Cathal Maher worked hard throughout. Robbie Ryan bust into the game from the throw in and his effort was relentless right throughout the entire game.

The younger players found the going difficult against a much more mature and evenly balanced group that are graded in a higher division.

Galtee Gaels: Jack Prendergast, Colm O’Mahony, William Fitzgerald, Liam Bourke, Kevin O’Mahony, Olin Ryan, Liam O’Donnell, Cathal Maher, Robbie Ryan, Scott Reidy (1-0), Paul Quane (0-2), Michael Noonan (0-1), Cormac Kearney, Edward Moriarty (0-1), Haulie Gallahue Padraig Casey and Jack Clifford.

U9 FOOTBALL

The U9 team played Knockainey on Friday evening at O’Mahony Park. There was an excellent turnout of players. Knockainey were very limited in numbers, but strong on football ability. All the Galtee Gaels panel were afforded an opportunity to play.

Galtee Gaels: Sean O’Gorman, Jamie Kelly, Joshua Fletcher, Jack Kelly, Noel Cronin, Logan McDermott, Jack Geary, Thomas Cronin, Robbie O’Brien, Alex Masterson, Seamus Dalton, Patrick Clifford, Sean Luddy, Liam O’Brien, Padraig Luddy, Tom Lane, Garrett O’Mahony, Brannan McGrath, Tadhg Dalton, Katelyn Kearney, Sheelagh Dalton and Ryan McNamara.

Thanks to Knockainey for travelling, the parents for their support also Ken and Eric for keeping the show on the road.