Gaels hold off resurgent Reds

Match report:


Shannon Gaels 2-11
Cornafean 1-10


The script held good at a well-attended Bawnboy last weekend as hot favourites Shannon Gaels held off a stern last quarter challenge from Cornafean to emerge victors with a bit to spare.
The Gaels were highly impressive for three quarters of the match with their eye for goal fully complemented by a dervish-like workrate, fine teamwork and a penchant for moving the ball accurately and at pace.
Indeed, the Blacklion-based side seemed to be home and hosed with just over 15 minutes left to play, boasting a 2-10 to 0-6 lead and looking like they had it within themselves to win pulling up.
However, the Reds had other ideas and after scoring 1-4 without reply, it took an injury time converted free by Eamon Reilly to provide the Gaels with just the insurance they needed to bookend their victory.
Cornafean were left to regret a poor first half display at the end of which they found themselves 0-5 to 2-6 adrift.
It took the Reds all of 20 minutes to open their account with Padraig Tully firing over a free.
By that time though, the black and ambers had posted 1-3 with their goal coming from a converted penalty by county star Jason McLoughlin in the 17th minute.
Faster, fitter and more precise in their delivery of the ball to a team-mate, Shannon Gaels continued to hold the upper hand as the first half gathered pace.
A brace of points from Barry Doyle helped Cornafean keep in touch and another effort by Cian Geoghegan also reminded the Gaels of their responsibilities.
However the chasing team were rocked back on their heels once again when great work by Ollie Nolan set up Niall Walsh for a cracking goal.
Walsh's major was a real body blow for Cornafean and helped engineer the Gaels a more than useful six point cushioned lead at the short whistle.
To their credit, Cornafean battled gamely to chisel a credible foothold in the tie and Cian Geoghegan notched his second point of the game just three minutes into the second half.
However a string of points from man-of-the-match Aaron O'Hara, Eamon Reilly, Niall Walsh and Jason McLoughlin quickly followed for the leaders and by the 43rd minute, the game looked over for Cornafean as they trailed by 0-6 to 2-10.
The Reds had a sting in their tail though and inspired by the highly impressive Barry Doyle and the Sheridan brothers in midfield, the would-be losers threw all but the proverbial kitchen sink at their opponents.
Doyle blasted home a penalty as Cornafean crept to within a single score, 2-10 to 1-10, of their opponents going into added on time.
That was as close as it came to a Lazarus-like comeback though for the Reds as the Gaels closed out the game with Reilly's cooly converted free.





Shannon Gaels:
Liam O'Reilly; Michael Griffin, Stephen McManus, Kevin McGovern; Paul McCaffrey, Jason McLoughlin (1-1), Niall Corrigan; Ollie Nolan, Peadar Fitzpatrick; Aaron O'Hara (0-3), Niall Walsh (1-5), Niall McGrath; Ronan McCaffrey, Cathal Dolan, Conor McCaffrey.
Subs used; Eamon Reilly (0-2); Pat McGovern; Nevin O'Donnell.


Cornafean:
Andy Smith; Niall Corcoran, Ciaran Duignan, Dan Wharton; Paul Brady, Mark Johnston (0-1), Cormac Geoghegan; Barry Doyle (1-5), Val Sheridan; Padraig Tully (0-2), Niall Sheridan, Jack Wharton; Cian Geoghegan (0-2), Gerry Sheridan, Adrian Caffrey.
Subs used; James Cullen; Cathal Sheridan; Wayne Johnston.