by Jerry Drennan (Galmoy)
Galmoy/Windgap 2-13 Slieverue 1-9
A huge second half performance saw Galmoy/Windgap advance to the U-21 B Southern semi final with this convincing win over Slieverue in Carrigeen on Sunday.Despite being reduced to 14 men after just twelve minutes of play,Galmoy/Windgap looked the stronger more physical side throughout .The pitch was excellently presented but was a little heavy in places and this made for a tough game with no frills attached.
The game began before the Slieverue goalkeeper had taken his place between the posts and Galmoy/Windgap took full advantage with a point straight from the throw in by Cian Ryan.
Aaron Cullinane replied from a free following a foul on Gary Walsh.A good pass by Niall Walsh, saw Kevin Duggan strike over the third point of the day for the winners.We then had the dismissal ,following referee Raymond Byrne consulting with both his linesman and his umpire.Aaron Cullinane levelled proceedings with another pointed free.
In the 16th minute ,Galmoy/Windgap introduced William Phelan at left half back and he went on to make a huge contribution to their win, clearing an amount of ball and striking an inspirational point from distance in the 53rd minute.Phelan won a 20th minute free which the impressive Jason Stanley converted.Stanley struck over three more first half frees along with one from play.Slieverue were guilty of some glaring misses during this half,hitting six wides ,all to the left of the posts.They did scramble a goal when Dylan Haberlin got on the end of a Donnacha Griffin delivery following confusion in the winners goalmouth in the 24th minute and this left the half time score level at Galmoy/Windgap 0-8 Slieverue 1-5.
With that extra player in their ranks,one would have expected Slieverue to push on after the break.But they lined out with three U-16 players on their starting fifteen and this swung back the advantage in favour of the combined forces, who were an older stronger outfit.The winners went ahead when Kieran Phelan pointed a Darragh O Shea delivery after the break and were further strengthened when Jason Stanley flicked home a Cian Ryan free to leave it 1-9 to 1-5 by the 37th minute.Slieverue came back with two pointed frees by Joe O Brien but another goal to Galmoy/Windgap in the 20th minute sealed the issue.
This time, Kieran Phelan saw his good shot on goal, well blocked by Oliver Mullally but when the ball spun back out to Phelan ,he one handed the sliotar to the left hand corner and the game was decided.
Darragh O Shea was tremendous at centreback all through for the winners.His reading of the game and intelligent delivery were a joy to watch.Similarly ,Jason Stanley was in excellent form showing some great fielding and exemplary stickwork. Cian Ryan and Emmett Landy were also very good.
Best for Slieverue were Bill Irish,Aaron Cullinane and Donnacha Griffin who cleared many good balls when he went back into defence in the second half.
Galmoy/Windgap team:Padraig Walsh,Darragh Morrissey,Sean Foley,Martin Duggan,Emmett Landy,Darragh O Shea,Gary Lyons,Cian Ryan(0-1),Frank Phelan,Kevin Duggan(0-2),Jason Stanley(1-6,0-5 frees),Peter Hennessy,Niall Walsh(0-2),Adrian Landy,Kieran Phelan(1-1).
Subs:William Phelan(0-1) for Gary Lyons 16 mins,David Doyle for Kevin Duggan 52 mins,Tom Phelan for Adrian Landy 57 mins,Sean Phelan for Martin Duggan 57 mins and Gary Lyons for Frank Phelan(inj.)59mins.
Slieverue:Oliver Mullally,David Irish,Bill Irish,Stephen Dolan(0-1),Luke O Donovan,Peter Murphy,Jack Frisby,Aaron Cullinane(0-4,0-3frees),Joe O Brien(0-3,0-2frees),Donnacha Griffin,Dylann Haberlin(1-0),Joe Irish,Eamonn Phelan,Gary Walsh,Cillian Power.
Subs:William Mullally(0-1) for Joe Irish 15 mins,James Feyne for Dylan Haberlin 56 mins and Michael Irish for Eamonn Phelan 57 mins.
Referee:Raymond Byrne (Glenmore)