Thrills as Tourlestrane take Minor title in 1967

Sligo Champion: Sept 1967 BYLINE JOHNNY BENSON break they held a point lead 1-2 to 1-1.

With the breeze behind them in the second period, Tourlestrane quickly set about the task of over-hauling this menacing Keash machine and within two minutes they had levelled at 1-2 each when Mattie Brennan pointed.

Level again in the 23nd minute the chips were now really down but the craft and experience of the Tourlestrane boys told its tale and they went out deserving winners. Teamwork

Both teams displayed a high degree of proficiency in their fielding of a greasy ball but the winners were better able to get out of a tight corner and a deciding factor in favour was their more accomplished teamwork and slick forward moves.

Keash on the other hand were slightly heftier but they lacked in match winning tactics.

The Keash defence was superb under sustained Tourlestrane pressure in the second half and full marks go to the full back trio of James McDonagh, Pauric Murray and Fergal Gallagher, that the side didn’t concede a number of goals during the last quarter of the game when Tourlestrane tried all they knew to crack this cast iron Keash defence.

Keash goalkeeper Thady Scully had a great hour saving from all angles and in front of him Jim Murray played very solidly.

Pauric Gallagher, Des Connor and John Kielty formed a strong half back line while the midfield pairing of Pat Brehony and John Freehill were often on top.

The half forward line of Kevin Carty, Frank Cawley and Joe Hannon was always alert and full-forwards Kieran Brehony, Peter Langton and Owen Garvin never gave up trying.

The three Henry brothers all from Rhue, two in defence and one in attack played some crafty football.

In goal, James Feely had a good game and in front of him Martin and Brendan Henry and Martin O’Grady cleared their lines well.

Nathy Quinn, Des Cunnane and Des Brett were a capable half back trio and at centrefield Capt Mattie Brennan and Aidan Richardson held the upper hand.

In the half forward line Hugh Quinn, Jackie Walsh and Seamus Lundy starred while Milo Maye at full forward got good support from Jackie Henry and Francis Walsh.

Presenting the trophy to Mattie Brennan, captain of the Tourlestrane team, Mr Tom Carroll, Co Minor Board chairman, congratulated the winners and also the losers for a clean sporting game.

He praised the Tourlestrane GAA Club for giving so much attention to their young teams in the under 14 and 7-a-side leagues which was the way to form a strong senior side.

The Game

Playing into a stiff breeze in the first half Tourlestrane attacked relentlessly and after eight minutes their right half forward Hugh Quinn pointed.

Six minutes later Tourlestrane were 1-1 up when Mattie Brennan goaled.

Then in the 21st minute Joe Hannon shot the first Keash score a long shot which dropped into the Tourlestrane net.

Two minutes later the sides were level 1-1 each, when Pat Brehony pointed from a 14 yards free.

Keash took the lead for the first time in the 28th minute when, after a solo run, Kevin Carty sent the ball over the bar.

At the break the score stood Keash 1-2; Tourlestrane 1-1.

Mattie Brennan had Tourlestrane level when he pointed from a free, 12 minutes after the start of the second half but Keash went ahead again in the 22nd minute when Kevin Carty kicked a point from a 14 yards free

The score was now Keash 1-3, Tourlestrane 1-2.

A minute later Milo Maye had Tourlestrane level again 1-3 each in the 27th minute.

The Tourlestrane boys took the lead, which they held to the end of the game, when Martin O’Grady scored the winning point.

HE PRAISED TOURLESTRANE FOR GIVING SO MUCH ATTENTION TO THEIR YOUNG TEAMS IN THE UNDER 14 AND 7-A-SIDE LEAGUES

TOURLESTRANE: J.Feely, M.O.Henry, B.Henry, M.O’Grady, N.Quinn, D.Cunnane, D.Brett, M.Brennan, A.Richardson, H.Quinn, J.Walsh, S.Lundy, J.Henry, M.Maye, F.Walsh. SUBS: A.Quinn, P Henry, W.Maye, D.Molloy, S.Brennan, J. Durcan. MANAGER: E.Lundy.

KEASH: T.Scully, J.McDonagh, P.Murray, F.Gallagher, P.Gallagher, D.Connor, J.Kielty, P.Brehony, J.Freehill, K.Carty, F.Cawley, J.Hannon, P.Lydon, P.Langton, O.Garvin, SUBS: K.Brehony for P. Lydon.

REFEREE: Rev, Bro Sebastian, Sligo.