Derby joy for Gers in tense final
GERALDINES 3-8 ST JOSEPHS 2-9 GERALDINES team came through a very tough sporting game against near neighbours St Josephs to clinch the U-15 Division 2 crown last week.
The Joes got off to the better start and had three quick points on the scoreboard before the Geraldines could get the ball out of their half. Captain Conor Soraghan kicked the first point with a trademark break up the field. Shortly afterwards star full forward Conor Magowan scored a great individual goal to give the young Gers a one-point lead.
Back came the Joes with three more points before man of the match Oran O’Hanlon reduced the Joes lead to one following good build up play by Richie Dunne. The wind was picking up now and it took some great defending by Martin O Donnacha, Mark McConnell and Bryan Soraghan to keep the Joes at bay.
Eoin Flanagan was getting good distance on his kickouts into the wind and Cathal Purcell was becoming more of a force in midfield. However the last score of the half went the Joes way when Conal McCaul kicked a fabulous point from beyond the 45 to leave two in it at the interval, 0-7 to 1-2.
With the wind behind them now the Geraldines had more success getting the ball into danger man Magowan and this resulted in an early point.
Isaac Mc Gahon who was becoming more influential scored the equalising point following a good build up with Ciaran Peelo and James McNamara. The game then swung in the Geraldines favour when two goals rocked the Joes. First Conor Magowan escaped the clutches of Campbell following a great break by the outstanding Donal Leavy to fire low to the net. Then captain Soraghan showed his blistering pace to break through the Joes defence and finish from a tight angle.
But back came the Joes and they responded with a goal of their own which they followed with a great point to leave only two between the sides with 8 minutes remaining. A high ball into the Geraldines square caused panic and in the ensuing scramble the Gers were penalised and referee Brian Brady awarded a penalty to St Josephs.
Given the time left this was a pressure kick but Jack Barron didn’t show any nerves , expertly slotting past Eoin Flanagan. The Gers were up against it now and spurned some good opportunities to draw level , it took an outstanding interception from Liam Cafferty to keep the Gers in the game.
With two minutes left on the clock we won a close range free and Donal Leavy cooly brought the sides level.
Cometh the hour Cometh the man and the excellent Oran O Hanlon won the breaking ball from the kickout and set off on a mazy run before expertly stepping inside his marker and slotting over the bar. There was still time for the Joes to draw level and they might well have were it not for some tenacious tackling and a great interception by Aaron McQuillan. Not content with that he broke forward and fed the ever willing O Hanlon who kicked a sublime point to ensure victory. Referee Bradys whistle was a welcome sound for the Gers who add this years 2A title to last years 2B. GERALDINES: E Flanagan, M O Donnacha, M McConnell, B Soraghan, L Cafferty, D Leavy 0-1, J McNamara, C Soraghan 1-1, C Purcell, C Peelo, I McGahon 0-1, R Dunne, A McQuillan, C Magowan 2-1, O O’Hanlon 0-4. Subs: S Maguire, O McDermott, F Reilly, P Brady, F McDonnell, A Gartlan, P Woulfe
ST JOSEPHS: Matthew Quigley, Aaron Neary, Josh Mackin, Turlough McGeeney, Michael Staunton, Kevin Campbell, Conor Marmion, Gabriel Bell, Conal McCaul, Ciaran Johnston, Josh Todd, Ben Collier, Jack Barron, Conor McKnight, Oran McParland and Killian McDonnell.