Local derby in the West
IN ideal conditions on Saturday last in St. Farnan’s Park local rivals St. Farnan’s met St. Pat’s. It proved to be a tough, physical encounter and a very competitive contest. St. Farnan’s got a dream start with a very fortuitous goal finished to the net by Gavin Connolly after some good team passing. St. Pat’s got into the stride and got two points, one from Joe McMunn, followed by a point from a free taken by Pierce Kearns. The home side were awarded a penalty following a foul on Mark Devaney. The penalty shot taken by Andrew McMunn was saved by goalie Sean Kiely. The sides exchanged points for the next period. St. Farnan’s we’re dealt a blow when Stephen Mulligan had to go off following an injury. He was replaced by Shane Neary. St. Pat’s found the net shortly before half time to level the scoring. Eunan Curran replaced Augustine Clarke at corner forward for Pat’s. At half time the sides were level at 1-4 each.
St. Pat’s started this half with a point from Dean Mahon. A goal chance ensued from a 45’ but the shot was blocked by Sean Healy. Eamonn Kilgannon added a nice point from play to level the scoring. It was Pat’s who dominated matters with the hard working James Clarke in midfield. A second goal was scored by sub Eunan Curran. Indeed Pat’s scored 1-4 without reply. St. Farnan’s lost Conor Gordon to a black card and was replaced by Niall Crean. Referee John Gilmartin was busy in this game and issued a number of yellow cards. Jimmy Kilgallen replaced Jonathan Higgins for Pat’s with ten minutes to go. Keith Lang replaced Gavin Connolly and Iarla O’Connor came on for Cormac Hallinan. It was St. Farnan’s who got the final five points of the game to narrow the gap. The home side would rue a total of eleven wides in this game, but will take some comfort in an improved performance. St. Pat’s had some good performances from their scorers and county player James Clarke. James Weir and Caolan Gillen did well in defence for the home side and both Declan Cawley and Eamonn Kilgannon proved effective in attack.
Final score: St. Farnan’s 1-10 St. Pat’s 2-9.
ST. Farnan’s: Sean Healy, Caolan Gillen, John Quinn, James Weir(0-1), Kevin Mc Gee, Mattie Lang, Conor Gordon, Cormac Hallinan, Martin Mulligan (0-2(1f), Declan Cawley (0-2), Mark Devaney, Stephen Mulligan, Gavin Connolly (1-0), Andrew Mc Munn (0-2(1f), Eamonn Kilgannon (0-3(1f).Subs used: Shane Neary, Niall Crean, Keith Lang and Iarla O’Connor.
ST. Patrick’s: Sean Kiely, Jonathan Higgins, Enda Connolly, Ciaran Giblin, Oisin Keaveney(1-0)Patrick Keaveney,Connell Kearns, David Giblin, James Clarke, Jack Egan, Joseph Mc Munn (0-1), Donal Brady, Augustine Clarke, Pierce Kearns (0-6(3f), Dean Mahon (0-2).Subs used: Eunan Curran (1-0), Jimmy Kilgallen.
ENNISCRONE/KILGLASS ST JOHN’S 3-15 2-9
REIGNING intermediate champions St John’s suffered their second successive defeat in Division Two of the Fureys Coaches Sligo Senior Football League with Enniscrone/Kilglass emerging as nine-point winners in this clash held in perfect conditions at Quigabar last Sunday.
The home side, who lost to Easkey in the opening round, put in a much-improved display to end as fully-merited winners against a St John’s side minus the services of David Rooney.
Enniscrone/Kilglass started superbly and established a 2-10 to 1-1 half-time lead after an impressive opening period. Michael Moyles’ early goal gave the home side the impetus and they continued to attack with Mark Gordon and Shane Hargadon doing well up front. The home side added a second goal when Hargadon finished to the net after 20 minutes.
St John’s, struggling in most sectors during a one-sided first half, did score a fine goal through Oisín Cox midway through the half but still trailed by 12 points at the break.
To their credit, they clawed their way back into the contest after the interval. Oisín Cox’s second goal – an excellent effort that went in off the post - helped reduce the deficit while Shane Stenson and Alan Keane were among their point scorers. The growing influence of Charlie Harrison also aided St John’s cause in the second half.
Enniscrone/Kilglass, who saw their lead trimmed to eight points at one stage, were fortunate not to concede at least one more goal with Christopher Tuffy’s vital intervention on the goal line in the closing stages preventing another St John’s major, while goalkeeper Greg Regan also helped their defensive cause.
The momentum was with St John’s for much of the second period, but Enniscrone/Kilglass kept the scoreboard ticking over. Kevin Cawley, industrious throughout, kicked two excellent points while Robert Jacob’s goal inside the final ten minutes helped see the seasiders get off the mark in Division Two.
Both sides face away trips in round three next weekend: Enniscrone/Kilglass travel to Ballintogher to play St Michael’s while St John’s return to west Sligo for the second successive weekend to take on Easkey.
Both games throw in on Saturday evening at 6.30pm.