Holders wobble but hold on for extra-time win
Tourlestrane are left rattled by south Sligo neighbours Curry in epic contest but rediscover their mojo in extratime to secure a sixth successive county final berth
S0-20 1-14
O MUCH for prematurely counting down to Tourlestrane’s much-anticipated Clash of the Titans with Coolera-Strandhill.
The defending champions almost didn’t get there, needing the salvation of extra-time last Saturday afternoon to get over an invigorated Curry outfit who defied their underdogs status when giving a championship-best display at Markievicz Park. Tourlestrane eventually got home with three points to spare, 0-20 to 1-14, and with some of their flair restored to set up a clash with Coolera-Strandhill, who were authoritative winners the following day in their semi-final against Drumcliffe-Rosses Point.
This was the type of fierce battle that Tourlestrane would have anticipated – given this was a south Sligo derby – but they have rarely been under the cosh like this in their five previous winning campaigns.
The holders were indebted, therefore, to Brian Egan, who scored 0-8, as well as the likes of Adrian McIntyre, Conan Marren and Kenny Gavigan for digging deep when it mattered.
With Tourlestrane leading by five points at half-time, 0-10 to 0-5, and having a six-point advantage by the 46th minute, 0-15 to 0-9, there was a growing sense about the outcome: Curry bring the blood and thunder, Tourlestrane, wearing their seen-itall-before faces, get the result.
But how things changed, Curry let off the hook by Tourlestrane’s 15th point – a goal chance that Brian Egan blazed over after a nifty mash-up
Tourlestrane’s renewed energy during the first period of extra-time saw them outscore Curry by three points, 0-4 to 0-1, and regain their previous superiority levels.
Brian Egan. With this performance, in which he shot
0-8, the corner-forward became Tourlestrane’s new go-to guy in attack, giving Curry an additional defensive headache.
between John Kelly and Liam Gaughan produced the opportunity. Four unanswered scores in the fourth quarter of this Homeland Senior Football Championship semi-final – the big moment being Eoghan Sweeney’s point attempt that dropped short and was surprisingly fumbled into the net byAdrian McIntyre – turned Curry from wannabes into the side that almost inflicted Tourlestrane’s first Senior Championship loss since the 2015 county semi-final replay.
There was a huge point from Adrian Marren, Curry’s attacking warrior, and Red Óg Murphy’s equalising score – a converted ‘45’ – capped an unexpected phase that saw last year’s Connacht Gold Intermediate Football Championship winners look like the real deal for the biggest prize.
Murphy and Marren between them scored 10 points, with Alan Reilly, their other masterful finisher, chipping in with a brace of points.
After having wobbled, almost disastrously, in the last 15 minutes of normal time – when they failed to score – Tourlestrane were back to their normal selves during the 20 minutes of extra-time, when they kicked 0-5 compared to Curry’s 0-2. Although given an added attacking edge by Brian Egan’s wonderful contribution, Tourlestrane were squirming in the final minutes of normal time and just before referee Gus Chapman signalled full-time, Curry launched a high, menacing ball into Tourlestrane’s goalmouth that Adrian McIntyre grabbed with certainly, atoning to a degree for his rare error earlier.
In the first-half of extra-time it was Tourlestrane who were looking like the defending champions, rather than
the other way round, and after the first period (10 minutes) Tourlestrane had moved three points clear, 0-19 to 1-13. This wasn’t a major advantage but Tourlestrane’s confidence had returned as shown in their 18th point when John Kelly ended a weaving run by cracking a shot over Curry’s crossbar. Had this effort been a few feet lower it would have resulted in a goal. opponents’ short-lived revival, goaled again from a simply, yet devastating move – Niall Murphy found Barry O’Mahony, who crossed for Donagh Flynn to net again. Coolera-Strandhill wrapped up the first-half with two more points, including a fisted effort from the excellent
There was also jumbo scores from Conan Marren and Cian Surlis, who got a pass from Adrian McIntyre, the creator of John Kelly’s goal chance. By now Curry’s response had almost dried up – Adrian Marren landed a free in the first period of extra-time and Alan Reilly’s point from a ‘mark’ was their only score in the second-half of extra-time.
Kevin Banks, who later shot poorly with an ambitious goal attempt. Things were beginning to seriously unravel for Drumcliffe-Rosses Point. Eoghan Smith, who shot four points, including the winner, in his side’s intense defeat of Shamrock Gaels, just wasn’t getting involved and Cian Oates
ON THE MOVE: Brian Egan, sets up an attack for Tourlestrane during last Saturday’s Homeland Senior Football Championship semi-final against Curry. Egan scored eight points in a contest that went to extra-time at Markievicz Park.
Tourlestrane only scored once in the final 10 minutes also but what a score it was – Cian Surlis on target again from distance after Conan Marren’s catch started the move that John Francis Carr played a part in.
During the frenzied ending to the second-half, Tourlestrane’s initial control seemed so long ago.
They started with a particular brand
picked up a 29th minute black card as Drumcliffe-Rosses Point faced a seven-point deficit at the break, 2-8 to 0-7. With Ross O’Carroll, who scored a superb first-half point, Sean Murphy and Keelan Cawley among those impressing for Coolera-Strandhill, there was little to suggest that Drumcliffe-Rosses Point had the capacity to conjure a great escape or even make the second period a competitive one.
Cian Lally kicked a delightful 38th minute point, cancelling out Niall Murphy’s dazzling point four minutes previously, but this proved Drumcliffe-Rosses Point’s only score of the second-half. Drumcliffe-Rosses Point failed to reach match their average tally from their group games, that of 12 points. Following Lally’s score, CooleraStrandhill tacked on four more scores, including a majestic effort from Keelan Cawley.
They could – and should – have punished Drumcliffe-Rosses Point even more.
Sean Taylor sent a goal shot wide from Niall Murphy’s pass, a Leo Doherty effort was stopped on the goalline by Ciaran O’Reilly and substitute Conor Burke drilled a shot wide when he might have added the winners’ third goal. Drumcliffe-Rosses Point almost goaled at the other end but an effort from Sean Power, who tried his best to curb Niall Murphy, was blocked.
Indeed, the second-half had petered out so much that a black card in the closing stages for Niall Murphy, shortly after he found the target with yet another wonder point, his fourth of the day, didn’t matter. of resolve that they usually reveal for these win-or-bust occasions and by the ninth minute were 0-5 to 0-1 in front. James Leonard typically landed a big point and Brian Egan scored with a fisted point after a robust surge. Curry should have been overawed but they managed to restrict Tourlestrane to just five further points for the remainder of the first-half of
Player of the Match: Coolera-Strandhill: