Calry-St Joseph’s remain in the top tier

Senior Football C’ship Relegation Semi-final Calry-St Joseph’s 1-10 Geevagh 0-11

CALRY-St Joseph’s avoided the dreaded Homeland Senior Football Championship relegation final when overcoming Geevagh by two points last Sunday, 1-10 to 0-11, the trapdoor semi-final at Ballymote’s Corran Park.

The game’s only goal – scored by Calry-St Joseph’s forward Conall Stenson early in the second-half – would prove to be the crucial score. Stenson’s well-finished goal, which helped the winners lead by two points going into the game’s second water break, came from a move instigated by Brian Cox and added to by Daire O’Boyle.

This fixture saw Geevagh more than hold their own at various stages.

They were 0-4 to 0-3 up by the firsthalf water break and also had a onepoint lead at half-time, 0-7 to 0-6. Geevagh, now into a relegation showdown with Tubbercurry, were grateful for a fine first-half save from goalkeeper Darren Kearns,

who denied an effort from Adrian Cummins after Calry-St Joseph’s knitted a goal move involving Brian Callaghan, Conor Griffin and Darragh Cummins.

Key to Geevagh staying in contention was the free-taking of Kevin

Henry, who shot half a dozen points in all. There was a similar scoring contribution from Darragh Cummins of Calry-St Joseph’s, who also scored 0-6.

Geevagh, who were not overly rattled by Conall Stenson’s goal, kept battling and managed to reduce the deficit to a point, 1-9 to 0-11, with late scores from Pat Hughes, who pointed superbly, and another converted free from Kevin Henry. Calry-St Joseph’s lifted the siege somewhat with their final score, a point by Ciaran Stenson after Cormac Coyne’s industry.

Calry-St Joseph’s: Aidan Devaney, Dara Foy, Conor McGovern, Cormac Coyne, Brian Callaghan, Jonathan McGoldrick, Brian Cox, Ciaran Stenson (0-2), Adrian Cummins (0-1), Daragh Cummins (0-6), Damien O’Boyle, Brian Shannon, Conall Stenson (1-0), Daire O’Boyle (0-1), Conor Griffin

Subs used: Aaron Flynn, Darragh O’Brien Geevagh: Darren Kearns, Shane Tighe, George Wall, Gary McManamon, Dylan Gabbidon, Arthur Wall, TJ Davey, Kevin Henry (0-7), Enda McManus, Tomas O’Reilly (0-1), Donal Conlon, Conor Lavin, Joseph O’Reilly, Kenneth Sweeney, Pat Hughes (0-2)

Subs used: Daniel Smith, Karl Jennings Referee: Barry Judge

PICTURES BY ALAN FINN SOUTH SLIGO FACES: Curry and Tubbercurry supporters at Markievicz Park on Saturday last for the Homeland Senior Football Championship semi-final. Tourlestrane won after extra-time.