Seniors await semi-final outcome
Galtee Gaels 2-14 Crecora 2-4
Galtee Gaels Senior team travelled to Crecora Manister for their last league group game of the South Senior League last Friday evening. The game was played in near perfect weather conditions with plenty of sunshine and little breeze.
Bob Childs gave Gaels a twopoint advantage in the opening stages before Crecora put one over from play. The first quarter of the game lacked any great fluidity however Gaels were still finding scores easier than the home side. Bob added on a further point after good work from Alan Condon and Sean Casey out in the middle quarter of the pitch.
Gaels hit the back of the net on the twentieth minute after Brendan Childs caused a turnover in the full forward line and Paddy English was first to pounce to turn and shoot from twenty yards with a cool finish to the bottom corner. A free from the boot of Bob extended Gaels’ lead further. Zach McCarthy’s work rate in the inside forward line was rewarded when he sent one over the black spot.
However, Crecora did get some joy from unforced Gaels errors and responded with two points of their own. The home side got a further boost when they capitalised on a Gaels’ kickout to goal from close range. Gaels responded positively with Bob pointing from a dead ball and Zach kicked the last score of the half to leave Gaels leading 1-7 to 1-4 at half time.
Gaels picked up where they left off from on the restart. Sean Casey, Hugh Moloney, Alan Condon and Padraig McGrath were covering a lot of ground around the centre of the field and were able to supply Bob for another point from play before two more were added from frees. Paddy English then netted his second goal of the game after he made an effective run from deep to give Gaels further breathing room. Gaels were able to see out the game without conceding a point in the second half which was a testament to the good defending from Eamon Moloney, Eoghan Mc and Edward Quinn.
A goal from the home side after a long ball into the square wasn’t dealt with gave Crecora a boost, but three further points from Bob and a well-worked point in the closing stages from Conor McGrath saw Gaels run out winners on a scoreline of 2-14 to 2-4. Gaels will be happy to convert 2-14 and will be looking to build on this. Gaels finish the league on three wins and one loss and now await the outcome of other games to determine who they will play in a South league semi-final.
Team: Adam O’Keefe, Edward Quinn, Eoghan McNamara, Eamon Moloney, Hugh Moloney, Jack Ryan, Sean Casey, Alan Condon, Padraig McGrath, Conor Moriarty, Conor McGrath (0-1), Paddy English (2-0), Brendan Childs, Bob Childs (0-9 points, 4 from frees), Zach McCarthy. Subs: Shane McNamara for Jack Ryan, Eamon Kelly for Brendan Childs, Ian Whelan for Eamon Moloney, Eoin Gallahue for Conor Moriarty, Liam Maunsell for Hugh Moloney, Danny McGrath, Tommy O’Dwyer and Declan Moriarty.
Galtee Gaels 0-6 Ballygran 0-8
Galtee Gaels Junior Bs suffered a two-point defeat away on Thursday, 4th May at the hands of last year’s Junior B County Champions Castletown Ballygran in the 5th round of the Junior A South League. The quality of the game was hampered by the weather conditions with heavy downpours from start to finish.
Gaels had a very bright start with Sean Casey and Paddy English pointing to give Gaels a two-point lead early on. Paddy than had a goal chance denied after the Ballygran keeper made an excellent save. Ballygran’s recently newly developed pitch meant the heavy rainfall had no impact on the surface. However half way through the first half Gaels did break their stride and were guilty of avoidable errors that led to passes going astray whereas Ballygran were proving more economical with possession and as a result got on top for a spell.
The home side returned four points, two from play and two from a free during this period. A free converted by Sean Casey at the end of the half left the score four points to three at half time. The second half was a fierce battle and Gaels improved immensely with Jack Ryan, Eamon Moloney and Sean Casey putting in a huge effort.
Injuries to Eamon Kelly and Dereck Gallahue meant they had to depart. The crucial point in the game was on the 55th minute when the game was levelled. Scores from Kealon Hogan, a Sean Casey free and a Brendan Childs point equalled Ballygran’s two points from play to leave the sides six points apiece. A battle for clean possession with worsening conditions still saw Gaels create chances but unfortunately ones they could not convert.
Two excellent close range saves from Adam O’Keefe, who had a fine game in goals, kept Gaels in the game. Ballygran just edged ahead by two points in the closing stages and saw out the game to leave the final score Gaels six points Ballygran eight points. Gaels worked incredibly hard in very testing conditions and just came out on the wrong side however they will still be disappointed to suffer a narrow loss. Gaels will be hoping for a turnaround in the next fixture away to Mungret.
Team and scorers: Adam O’Keefe, Tommy O’Dwyer, Eamon Moloney, Ian Whelan, Padraic Byrne, Edward Quinn, Jack Ryan, Paddy English (0-1) Sean Casey (0-3 from frees), Kalem Breedy, Dereck Gallahue, Eamon Kelly, Kealon Hogan (0-1), Brendan Childs (0-1), Jack O’Callaghan. Subs: Pa Callaghan for Eamon Kelly, Ken Lane for Dereck Gallahue.
MINOR
Congratulations to Cian Hogan who was a member of the Limerick Minor football panel who won the phase 1 final over Tipperary in Mallow. The minor championship is a two-stage round robin format. The top two teams in the phase one series meet to go through to the second-round robin series. In the process of winning the phase one series they picked up the Daryl Darcy Cup. Limerick now go on to play Kerry in the Munster semi-final this Thursday in Newcastle West. Galtee Gaels had one representative, Jimmy Carey on the last Limerick minor.
‘80S AND ‘90S
Galtee Gaels rocked Kilbehenny Community Centre last Saturday night when the much anticipated ‘80s vs ‘90s night got underway. After a lot of work and preparation doors opened to plenty eager disco goers. The night was a great success and was made all the more enjoyable by the fantastic fancy dresses that were on display. There was a nod to everything from Mrs Brown, to Top Gun and all sorts of neon lights. After much deliberation by judge Elaine Ryan who was on security the winner of the best dressed competition went to Anne Marie Cleary. Well done Anne Marie.
Galtee Gaels GAA Club would like to thank Kilbehenny Community Council for the use of the hall and in particular to Moss Fitzgerald for all the help and assistance in setting up. Thanks to DJ Anton McGrath who kept us entertained with the classic hits from the decades. Thanks to Larry Roche for his help also. Thanks to all those who supported the night. Thanks to the organising committee for another successful fundraiser. Thanks to our bar staff, our barbecue team on the burgers and to all those who cleaned up the morning after and to anyone who helped in anyway. Every little bit counts.