Experience crucial as Stabannon edge local derby clash
Anglo Printers JFC Group D Stabannon P’nells John Mitchels 0-13 0-9
IN what was effectively a knock out game, a more experienced Stabannon Parnells side advanced to the Junior Championship quarter finals disposing of near neighbours John Mitchels in the process.
Gaelic football can be a funny game at times none more so than in Tallanstown on Saturday evening. On the eye, the Mitchels, were the side who dominated all facets of the game except the scoreboard and that duly told as the knowhow of Stabannon was crucial in making and taking their chances, especially from dead ball situations.
Aonghus Giggins and Daniel Bannon were chief punishers for Parnells striking 0-11 between them and crucially eight of those were frees more than half their side’s total. That ability to hang tough and soak up the pressure and keep the scoreboard ticking over was the key to their success.
Robert Coyle gave Hugh Diamond’s side an early lead after some good pressure and Barry Kirk doubled the lead after a searing run from the back by the newly converted defender.
Bannon notched his first free and the impressive David Cluskey with fourteen on his back but playing a much deeper role then levelled the contest.
A brace of Giggins free’s on the 13th minute suitably gave them the lead and one they would not relent.
The physicality of the game was never in question as each opposing player gave as good as they got with some frank exchanges and some over zealous tackling but it never once soured, just good, honest stuff.
Coyle lead the line again for the Mitchels and he pulled one back before Aonghus Giggins showed hid scoring is not purely from free into the net. However, his side couldn’t add to that score and the Tones regrouped before the break and a goal from McCormack saw them take a commanding 2-6 to 1-1 lead into half time.
Any lingering doubts about the outcome of the game were dispelled within five minutes of the restart when Adam Gartland found space to plant the ball into the bottom corner.
Although Loye and Micheal McCabe were on target for the Gaels, the Tones were able to kicks as he fired over from long range.
Poker faced Bannon showed real composure to close out the half with two tricky frees either side of Kevin Gallagher 45 leaving it 7-4 at the interval.
Gallagher grew into the game and curled over the score of the game. On the loop he received possesion in the right wing and he fired over with his left foot.
Giggins would then sandwich a Gallagher free with a brace of free’s himself just as the Mitchels were starting to reflect their dominance on the scoreboard.
Ben O’Brien worked well down the same flank as Trevor Matthews all afternoon and he was rewarded pick off their scores at will as McCormack, Patrick Fanning and Smith helped stretch the lead to 3-12 to 1-3 on 55 minutes.
The Drogheda men didn’t ease off in the closing stages and Lugoye struck the fourth goal with the score of the game before completing his hat-trick from the resultant kick-out, with sub Garrett Cooney completing the rout in injury time.
Robbie Daly; Adam Gartland 1-0, Graham Fanning, Alan Fanning; Sam Kelly, Patrick Fanning 0-1, with a score both youngsters highlighted the potential of the white and red men going forward.
However Bannon from play, Cluskey, Wayne Lynch and Giggins (free) showed the accuracy the Mitchels could only wish for. Notch four on the trot and in doing so pushed the game beyond the despondent Mitchels as they emptied their bench in vain.
Sean Sweeney and one of the replacements John Gallagher pulled two back but Giggins was on hand to step and swivel into space to kick a terrific point and bookend the game and in doing so put any idea of a late surge out of their opponents heads also.
A game the Mitchels will rue Eoghan O’Shea; Mark Healy, John Kelly; Darren Weldon 0-2, Niall Smith 0-2, Marc Lugoye 3-1; Jamie McCormack 1-6, Chris Cudden, Michael Rafferty. Subs: Reece Owens for G Fanning, Garrett Cooney 0-1 for D Weldon, Jordan Duffy for C Cudden, Sean Matthews for M Lugoye.
CUCHULAINN GAELS: Brendan Cauldwell; James Ward, Brendan McKeown, Peter Morgan; Martin Ward, John Morgan, Seamus McCabe; Francis O’Hagan, Micheal McCabe 0-1; Alan Brennan, Martin Hayes, Jordan Loye 0-2; Cian McDonald, Gavin Mullen 1-0, Eoin McDonald. Subs: Callum Fearon for M Ward, Paddy O’Hanlon for C Fearon, Chris Connolly for J Ward, Paul O’Hanlon for J Loye.
REFEREE: Thomas Brennan. and one where Stabannon grew, bragging rights and a place in the quarter finals a decent reward for the utmost patience. STABANNON PARNELLS: Anto Byrne; Alan Lynch, Sean Halpenny, Cathal Halpenny; Daniel Bannon 0-4 (3f), Brendan O’Kane, Barry Lynch; Aonghus Giggins 0-7 (5f), Colm Giggins; Ken Lynch, David Cluskey 0-2, Shane Sweeney; Niall Fanning, Robert Callaghan, Wayne Lynch 0-1. Subs: Fintan Martin for S Sweeney (51)
JOHN MITCHELS: David Anderson; Barry Kirk 0-1, Emmett Farrell, Connell Keenan; Anthony Coyle, John Devitt, Trevor Matthews; James Clarke, Aaron Keely; Kevin Gallagher 0-3 (1f, 145), Sean Sweeney 0-1, Ben O’Brien 0-1; Alan Mackin, Robert Coyle 0-2 (2f), Gareth Kane. Subs: Liam Devitt for A Mackin (26), John Gallagher 0-1 for G O’Kane (42), Neil Reilly for A Keely (44), Richard McGuinness for R Coyle (52).