Tourlestrane given big test
CALRY/ST JOSEPH’S TOURLESTRANE 0-11 1-9
HOMELAND Senior Football Championship Group 2 Rd 3
ON their quest for a remarkable 5 senior championships in a row, Tourlestrane were given a stern test by an excellent Calry/St Joseph’s at Markievicz Park on Sunday in what was a thoroughly entertaining hour of football.
David Cummins’s men will rightfully be disappointed not to come away with anything after a really hardworking and stylish display.
They were comfortably leading by five points on 24 minutes with Tourlestrane slow out of the blocks but Eamonn O’Hara and Gerry McGovern’s men found the net before halftime. They had the bit between their teeth in the second period as they went in search of a win. This makes it 2 from two after seeing past Coolaney/Mullinabreena in their first game.
Calry/St Joseph’s were extremely impressive throughout but the reigning champions showed why they are just that by digging deep and coming up with the scores when they mattered.
The excellent Conor Griffin got Calry/St Joseph’s opening 2 scores from play, the first being set up by Brian Cox with Damien O’Boyle then sending a good ball toward the full forward who was tightly marked but slotted over on 5 minutes.
Fullback Conor McGovern followed a brilliant move with a fine point from play for Calry/St Joseph’s as they led by 3 before Rian Kennedy won a mark and duly pointed for Tourlestrane on 9 minutes.
The next 3 scores were all Calry/St Joseph’s, two from play by Griffin and a Darragh Cummins free for a foul on the hardworking Johnny McGoldrick putting them six points to one in front with 16 minutes on the clock.
The impressive Johnny Kelly broke through and had a goal chance for Tourlestrane on 22 minutes but for a perfect stop by Bryan McGovern in the Calry/St Joseph’s goal.
Ciarán Stenson and Connell Stenson linked up for the latter’s fine score for Calry/St Joseph’s and they went 5 in front on 24 minutes.
Another Tourlestrane goal chance from a Kelly and John Francis Carr attempt was also saved and the resulting ‘ 45 dropped short, Kennedy then pointed Tourlestrane’s 3rd from a free on 27 minutes as they were behind by four.
It was the influential Kelly again who was involved in the next goal chance which James Leonard fisted to the back of the Calry/St Joseph’s net a minute later as a mere point separated them in this highly pulsating affair.
Corner back Conor Keown got a superb point for Calry/St Joseph’s which was greeted with huge cheers from his side’s supporters. Calry/St Joseph’s then overturned possession and Griffin pointed his fifth as they went a goal in front close to half time, Liam Gaughan sending over a sublime score from play down the other end.
A huge ball into Griffin saw a potential goal chance for Calry/ St Joseph’s but for excellent defending from Noel Gaughan on 35 minutes, Calry/St Joseph’s ahead by 0-9 to 1-4 at the break.
Both sides swapped a number of wides following the resumption and it was 9 minutes into the second half before either scored, Paddy Woulfe sending over a free for Calry/St Joseph’s as their lead extended to four.
Then a Griffin attempt which had been signalled wide by the umpires was given after referee Rory Dillon consulted with his linesman on 40 minutes.
Liam Gaughan, outstanding for Tourlestrane, added two on the bounce from play to make it a 2 point game midway through the half with teammate Conan Marren sending over a fine free on 48 minutes as Tourlestrane were on Calry/St Joseph’s heels.
Midfielder Stephen Henry was winning a lot of ball in centrefield as Tourlestrane were chasing the win and despite hitting 5 wides in this half, were sensing victory.
A fantastic point from Liam Gaughan from play drew the sides level on 56 minutes and the south Sligo men had another goal chance from Kelly which came off the post.
Gaughan put them in front for the first time in the game through a free on 57 minutes and Calry/St Joseph’s were dealt a blow with impressive keeper Bryan McGovern limping off with an ankle injury, Ciaran Collum duly slotting in.
Calry/St Joseph’s were looking for a draw and the tireless McGoldrick won a free late into injury time, which was narrowly to the right and wide from substitute Eoin Doherty as Tourlestrane emerged with the narrowest of victories. SCORERS: Calry/St Joseph’s; C Griffin 0-6, C McGovern 0-1, D Cummins 0-1 (1f), C Stenson 0-1, D Keown 0-1, P Wolfe 0-1 (1f). TOURLESTRANE; J Leonard 1-0, L Gaughan 0-5 (1f), R Kennedy 0-2 (1f), C Marren 0-2 (1f). CALRY/ST JOSEPH’S: B McGovern, D Keown, C McGovern, B Shannon, J McGoldrick, B Cox, B Callaghan, A Cummins, D O’Boyle, C Stenson, D Cummins, C Stenson, A Flynn, C Griffin, P Wolfe
SUBS: C Heraghty, E Doherty, C Collum. TOURLESTRANE: A Broe, N Gaughan, J F Carr, B Walsh, O Kennedy, A McIntyre, C Surlis, S Henry, K Gavigan, G Gaughan, J Kelly, R Kennedy, J Leonard, C Marren, L Gaughan SUBS: P Harte, Kevin O’Hara. REFEREE: R Dillon (Owenmore Gaels).