What the papers said

STROKESTOWN: J. McHugh; J. Dolan, N. Owens, R McLoughlin; N. Brogan, D. Rogers, J. Hagan; M. Colum (0-1), S. Collins; R McGinley (0-1), R Brogan, J. Rogers (0-4, all frees); D. Parker, E. Molloy, C. Silke (1-2). Subs used. R. Owens for Dolan (35 mins), C. Compton for Molloy (38 mins), K. Bosquette for Parker (49 mins), E. Collins for McGinley (49 mins).

FUERTY: J. Fallon; A. Leahy, T. Bannon, A. Moore; E. Bannon, S. Melia, D. Delaney; M. Keaveney, T Reddington (0-1); A. Cunniffe, N. Keenan, M. Connaughton; N. Kilroy (0-2, both frees), G. Fallon, G. Ennis (0-2, both frees). Subs used: D. Heavey for Delaney (47 mins), T Hickey for Keenan (49 mins).

Wides: Fuerty - 11; Strokestown - 6.

Booked: Fuerty - A. Leahy (8 min), T Reddington (15 mins), A. Cunniffe (36 mins); Strokestown - C. Silke (27 mins), N. Owens (47 mins).

Referee: D. Hunt.

Man of the Match: Patrick Brogan (Strokestown). The former county minor captain started at centre-half forward but dropped back towards the half-back line as the game progressed. He showed immense presence and never allowed the Fuerty forwards time to settle on the ball. The entire Strokestown backline performed well as a unit on the day. John Rogers and Conor SiIke were the pick of the forwards.

Tom Reddington, Mervyn Connaughton and Niall Kilroy tried hard for Fuerty.

Roscommon champion 8th September 2009

by John Muligan

Storming first half lays foundation for Eire Og win

Eire Og 1-7 Fuerty 0-9

EIRE OG will look at this county intermediate quarter-final with a great deal of satisfaction and a fair amount of relief following their one point win over a spirited Fuerty at Kilbride on Sunday evening. Despite going in at half time with a good eight point lead and the bonus of a goal from Ross Nolan, they had to deal with an excellent come back from their opponents who could have snatched the win themselves if they had taken their chances at the end after coming back to level matters.

With weather conditions leaving the Castlerea pitch unplayable, the game was moved to the excellent surroundings of Kilbride and even the driving rain, and strong winds did little to the pitch that was in immaculate condition.

The wind would have a different effect on the teams however and Eire Og took full advantage of the conditions in the opening half hour. Ross Nolan opening his and his teams account after just twenty seconds. Fuerty struggled in the opening minutes and an early attempt from Niall Kilroy would be their only attempt on goal for several minutes. Handling was almost impossible in the rain and mistakes were common place but Eire Og were handling conditions better with Nolan adding another point from a free after David McNulty was fouled. Another free from Nolan three minutes later would have his team in a good position but Fuerty was now settling and a move involving Tom Hickey, Gearoid Ennis, Mervyn Connaughton and Kilroy looked promising but ended with the Sean McDermott collecting the loose ball.

With the wind picking up and the rain falling even heavier, the ball would resemble that famed bar of soap at times. However it would be Eire Og who would continue their domination throughout the remainder of the first half. Darren McDermott would add a point before a moment that would change the game. A free on the 13 metre line to Eire Og was taken quickly by Nolan who rifled the ball into the net. It came at a perfect time for Eire Og and as the game entered the final minutes another point from McDermott had them eight points clear.

Fuerty still had not scored up to this stage. However with a minute remaining in the half Gearoid Ennis tapped over a free to open his side's account for the evening but it would not be the final score of the half. Ross Nolan capping an excellent first half with another free.

What happened in the second half was a complete opposite of what happened in the first. With the weather again a factor its

was Fuerty who took the fight to their opponents and with a free started the revival before another free from Tom Hickey brought belief to their supporters that the comeback could happen. It continued through the third quarter with Ennis adding two points to bring the gap to just four points. At the other end Robert Kilcommins did well to deny Frankie Nolan but now the momentum was with Fuerty and they were determined to get back into the match. Niall Kilroy kicked an almost impossible point before Peter Keleghan took the ball from the kick out and pointed to close the gap to just two points. Fuerty were also dominating midfield and their half back line were in control leading to a solid build up at all times. Eamon Bannon was also running the Eire Og backs ragged and looked dangerous everytime he had the ball.

The game was now moving into the final quarter and another Ennis free had the Fuerty bench on their feet. They would celebrate again just a minute later when Bannon kicked an excellent point to level the game. Incredibly, it would be their final score as they charged forward. Chances went wide that were kickable just minutes earlier and Eire Og's defence were doing everything possible to keep them out. In a rare journey down to the Fuerty half Eire Og were awarded with a free which was kicked over by Nolan to give them back the lead. It would be enough to give them the win despite the possession held by Fuerty in the final moments. Fuerty could even have had a goal but the ball stayed out as Eire Og players put their bodies in front of everything that moved. The referee's full time whistle coming as a welcome relief to Eire Og who now face St Dominic's in the county semi-final.

Roscommon Herald 8th September 2009

Eire Og make final four

The strong wind had a major bearing on Sunday evening's intermediate championship quarter-final in Kilbride. Both teams scored one point apiece playing into the teeth of the elements. Crucially though, Eire Og managed to manufacture an all-important goal with the wind behind them in the opening half and they just about held out to reach the semi-final against St. Dominic's.

This was Fuerty's second loss on the bounce at the quarter-final stage. Last year they also suffered the heartache of a one-point defeat against St. Croan's. Facing a 1-6 to 0-1 deficit, they dominated the second period and were level by the 49th minute. However, they could never edge in front and could only watch in horror as Eire Og full-forward Ross Nolan converted the match-winning score seven minutes from time. Fuerty did create one final chance but Eamon Bannon, who had a great game alongside his brother Tomas, pulled his last ditch effort wide of the target.

Nolan had Eire Og up and running inside the opening minute with a point. Two wides followed for the Loughglynn-based side before Nolan tagged on his second point from a free in the 11th minute. A yellow card for Peter Keleghan resulted in another pointed free for Nolan in the 14th minute.

Some excellent defending from Tomas Bannon prevented further scores, although Darren McDermott scored his opening point from play in the 22nd minute. The game's defining score arrived three minutes later when Nolan's free went all the way to the Fuerty net. McDermott and Nolan were on target again before the break. Fuerty's opening point was sandwiched between these scores as Gearoid Ennis found the target from a free.

Fuerty tore into the opposition on the resumption. A free from Ennis was followed by a point from an acute angle from Tom Hickey. Ennis popped over another great score in the 11th minute and the same player added to his tally a minute later.

Eire Og were struggling in many positions at this stage and four Fuerty points in six minutes left the game very much in the balance. Ennis (2), county minor star Niall Kilroy and wing-back Peter Keleghan raised white flags to seemingly put Fuerty in the driving seat.

Yet Eire Og somehow disrupted Fuerty's momentum, with substitute Vincent Walshe playing a vital role in the half-forward line in the art of using possession intelligently. His side's only score of the half, a free from Nolan, tilted the game in Eire Og's favour once again.

Despite late Fuerty chances, the West Roscommon men held on for a famous victory and a chance for revenge against St. Dominic's who beat them in an earlier group game.

EIRE OG: J. Horan; D. Woods, D. Creaton, J. Cox; K. Johnston, M. Creaton, C. Finan; D. McNulty, P Freeman; C. Dunne, D. Flanagan, F Nolan; B. Nolan, R. Nolan (1-5, four frees), D. McDermott (0-2). Sub used: V. Walshe for Woods.

FUERTY: R. Kilcommins; J. Blighe, T. Bannon, A. Leahy; S. Melia, D. Delaney, P Keleghan (0-1); A. Cunniffe, M. Connaughton; N. Kilroy (0-1), G. Ennis (0-5, three frees), T Hickey (0-1); N. Connolly, M. Keaveney, E. Bannon (01). Sub used: Thomas Reddington for Tom Hickey.

Referee: M. Brennan

Player of the Match: Ross Nolan (Eire Og). In the difficult conditions, free taking was always going to be vital and Nolan's contribution of 1-5 was central to Eire Og grinding out this victory. Darren McDermott's two points from play were also crucial.

Best for Fuerty were Tomas and Eamon Bannon, and Gearoid Ennis.

Roscommon People 20th August 2009

by seamus Duke

What a difference three points make

Boyle had two points to spare against Fuerty last Friday night last in Boyle but it was not good enough to save the home side from crashing out of the championship on scoring difference. In fact Boyle missed out by a solitary point while three more points for them would have seen them top their group!

Boyle missed a number of chances in the first half and it cost them dearly later. Fuerty were always in touch with the scoretaking ability of Niall Kilroy and a vital goal scored by Tom Hickey shortly before half time.

Sub Lochlainn Conboy scored Boyle's goal with 15 minutes to go but then the same player was sent off after an off-the-ball incident and Fuerty scored three points to close the gap and Boyle just couldn't get the scores they needed to survive.

The result means that Fuerty and St Barry's progress to the quarter finals while Boyle (who would have been one of the favourites to win the IFC) will have to face a relegation battle.

Roscommon Champion 19th August 2009

by John Mulligan

Fuerty hold firm as Boyle win is not enough

Boyle 1-9 Fuerty 1-7

FUERTY qualified for the latter stages of the George Bannon Intermediate Championship despite tasting defeat in their final group game held in a murky and wet Abbey Park on Friday night. Boyle knew that a win by four points would have

seen them through while a three point would have meant a play off. However they were unable to find the scores necessary and it was their opponents who are through to the quarterfinals. In a game that sparked at times and then spluttered,

both sides showed great skill at times. Boyle opened the scoring with two good points from Paul Simon and Mark O'Connor and for a small bit of good fortune could

have added a goal to that equation. Simon's first shot of the evening cannoning

off the butt of the post. Of the two goalkeepers it was Fuerty's Robert Kilcommins who was the busiest in the early stages and bv the l4th minute it was the home side that were in control. Five points clear with Rory O'Donoghue adding three points in as many minutes to put Boyle in control. The wet conditions made handling difficult

with the ball resembling a bar of soap at times but Bovle were determined on getting the scores that would put them in the quarter-finals and last vear's beaten finalists kept the pressure on their opponents with Paul Simon adding his second point

despite the goal chance being there. Fuerty were struggling with the elements with Eamon Bannon doing everything possible to create opportunities. However, for all his endeavour, Fuerty could only get a second point through Niall Kilroy as the game entered the second quarter. By that stage Boyle had gone three points clear. Rory

O'Donoghue with three points in as many minutes. On twentv five minutes the gap was four but could have been six. A long ball broken by O'Donoghue fell to Simon who went for the point despite the goal being on. lt may have been the best decision as Boyle was now in control. Fuerty were slightly coming back into the game but despite Gearoid Ennis adding a point, Boyle were cancelling out any comeback with a well taken Simon effort. With the game entering injury time that four point lead seemed enough but with three minutes of injury time played Fuerty struck. A move

that involved Ennis and Kilroy ended in the hands of Tom Hickey who did not need to

be asked twice. His goal coming iust before the break and giving Fuerty a major lift as the teams went in. With the evening closing in and the elements not letting up, Fuerty may have been favourites from here. However it was Boyle who started rightly with Darren Dockery scoring just 37 seconds after the restart. Kilroy narrowed the gap slightly but Boyle were now determined on getting the scores that mattered. The introduction of Lochlainn Comboy would prove beneficial as the substitute’s looping shop somehow found the net and suddenly the game turned in to a four point lead for the home side. However in a minute, the said player would find himself sent off after being involved with a Fuerty player. Referee Francis Keane showing no hesitation in giving the red card after a consulltation with his linesman. Eleven minutes would pass before another score. Bovle. for all their efforts, could not get the ball down to their forwards while Fuerty just seemed happy to defend what was being thrown at them, deciding to go for the counter attack. It would produce a point with six minutes remaining with Niall Keenan getting the score. Nevertheless, by this stage the calculators were now being sought out and a point from Ennis would have them back in the driving seat as far as qualification was concerned. With a minute of normal time remaining Kilroy’s fisted point had them just one point behind on the score board but more importantly they were two points clear of what Boyle needed. Boyle again attacked with gusto. Again chances eluded them as they tried to work their way inside.With eight minutes of injury time (for earlier hold-ups; played, a free

from Mark O'Connor extended their lead. But it would not be enough as Fuerty held on to book their quarter-final place.

Roscommon Herald

by Martin Wynne

18th August 2009

Bolye pay high price

Boyle 1-9 Fuerty 1-7

A narrow win for Boyle on Friday night last did nothing to disguise the fact that their championship season lies in tatters. It's a major disappointment for a team that are in the final of the O'Gara Cup this season and would've had high hopes of winning the George Bannon Sports Intermediate Championship. But a disastrous three-point defeat to St. Barry's back in June means they've now finished bottom of their first round group. A look at the Group D table reveals how unlucky Boyle were in the end. All three teams ended on the same points tally and it took scoring averages to separate them. A couple more points for the North Roscommon side would've left them topping the group instead of propping it up. That's how close it was. But while the statistics tell one story, the evidence from the field of play offers another. Three goal chances in the early stages of last Friday's game should have put Boyle out of sight before the half-time whistle. The home side eventually did hit the net in the early stages of the secondhalf to storm into a four-point lead, but within minutes the goalscorer was redcarded for an off-the-ball incident. It was substitute Lochlainn Conboy that hit the 41st minute goal, but the same player got involved in a silly melee two minutes later which took place right under the linesman's nose. After consultations between the officials the Boyle man was given a straight red card for slapping the back of an opponent's head. Fuerty took full advantage of the extra man with three unanswered points during the closing quarter to enter injury-time only a point behind. Both sides knew beforehand what was required to qualify so the one-point deficit was effectively a two-point lead for Fuerty. The game had been a bad-tempered affair throughout and the many stoppages resulted in nine minutes of injury-time. But Boyle never looked likely to make the three-point margin of victory, and Fuerty's tactic of defending from the front left the home side in their own half unable to gain penetration from their short passing game. Fuerty did not offer much on the day either but some determined defending and a long ball tactic that released the considerable talents of county minor Niall Kilroy was enough for them in the end. Kilroy contributed 0-4 on the day and set up Tom Hickey for the all important goal in first half injury time.

MATCH STATS

BOYLE: T McGarrity; B. Supple, C. Boylan, C. Beirne;

D. Dockery (0-1), K. Supple, S. Purcell; S. Tonra, A. O'Connor; D. Keenehan, K. McLoughlin, M. O'Connor (0-2, one free); P Simon (0-3), R. O'Donohoe (0-3), C. Smith. Subs used: L. Conboy (1-0) for Smith (35 min),

L. Conroy for McLoughlin (55 min), T Egan for Beirne (57 min), D. Casey for K. Supple (60 min).

FUERTY: R. Kilcommons; J. Blighe, T Bannon, A. Leahy; S. Melia, D. Delaney, P Keleghan; A. Cunniffe,

M. Connaughton; N. Kilroy (0-4, one free), G. Ennis (0- 2, one free), T Hickey (1-0); N. Connolly, T Reddington,

E. Bannon. Subs used: M. Keaveney for Connolly (42 min), N. Keenan (0-1) for Reddington (49 min), A. Moore for Leahy (50 min), T Carr for Hickey (60 min).

Wides: Boyle - 5; Fuerty - 9.

Booked: Boyle - P Simon (30 min), M. O'Connor (47 min); Fuerty - none.

Sent-Off: Boyle - L. Conboy (43 min); Fuerty - none. Referee: F Keane

Man of the Match: Niall Kilroy (Fuerty). On a day when scoring averages were so vital the county minor star made the crucial difference. He scored 0-4 (three from play) and one effort in the 34th minute came from a near-impossible angle just inside the endline. Tom Hickey and Gearoid Ennis also did well for Fuerty in the half-forward line, and midfielders Alan Cunniffe and Mervyn Connaighton battled hard throughout. Best for Boyle were Rory O'Donoghoe, Paul Simon, Kieran Supple and Sean Purcell

Roscommon Champion 12th August 2009

Fuerty beat St. Barry's in Mulhern Park

Fuerty 1-11 St. Barry's 1-8

This was Fuerty's first outing in the championship while Barrys had already overcome Boyle by a 3 point margin in their previous game. Both teams came into the game without a couple of key players, absent due to injury. Fuerty began the game the brighter and from the outset the class of County Minor star Niall Kilroy was evident as he sidefooted the ball past the Barry's goalkeeper to see Fuerty lead by 1-3 to 0-2 after 20 minutes. Fuerty had two more goal chances in the half but some fine shooting from John Murtagh and Ronan Mitchell kept Barrys within sight. It was Kilroy again, this time from a free kick, who put Fuerty ahead by 1-5 to 0-4 at half time.

Fuerty started the second half with the higher work rate and intensity and this was rewarded with points coming from Kilroy, Gearoid Ennis and Fuerty stalwart Mervyn Connaughton. With 5 minutes left to play and Fuerty leading by 1-11 to 0-8 it was Finbar McGowan who ensured no one was leaving Mulhern Park before the final whistle as he fired the ball past Fuerty's Robbie Kilcommons leaving his side just a goal behind. As the clock wound down Fuerty steadied the ship and ran out deserving victors in what was a thoroughly entertaining game of football. Final score Fuerty 1-11 Barrys 1-08. Fuerty Team: R. Kilcommons, J. Blighe, T. Carr, A. Leahy, S. Melia, D. Delaney, P. Keleghan, A. Cunniffe, M. Connaughton(0-1), N. Kilroy( 1-4, 1 free), G. Ennis (0-4, 1 Free), T. Hickey, N. Connolly, T. Reddington(0-1), E. Bannon(0-1). Subs: M. Keavney for N. Connolly, N. Keenan for T. Hickey. St. Barrys team: D. Wallace, J. Fallon, N. Rogers, J. Bennett, R. Rogers, A. Murtagh, C. Wallace, T. Fallon, R. Mitchell(0-3, 1 free), F. Wallace, J. Murtagh(0-5, 1 free), M. Regan, F. McGowan(1-0), M. Gullford, S. Doherty.