Post date: Jun 24, 2012 10:18:03 PM
Having defeated Balyna last week, Cúchulainn Gaels under 14’s were left with three back matches to get through in the space of a week. They needed two wins from these three games in order to qualify for a semi-final play-off spot.
Here’s how they got on....
Cúchulainn Gaels v Athy, 13th June 2012 at Geraldine Park, Athy
The Gaels travelled to Athy on a rather damp Wednesday evening to take on the home side in the first of the trilogy of games. Early Athy pressure was well soaked up by Luke Barry and Callum Sourke while Stephen Keogh and Robert Hanley were winning the midfield battle. Enda McSweeney was the star of the first half with a hat trick of goals as the Gaels went in 4:04 to 0:01 ahead at the break.
Jordan Kaye had a fine second half in defence as the Gaels continued their dominance. Michael John Prendergast hit two second half goals, the first coming after he managed to bundle the ball, the Athy goalkeeper and most of the full back line into the net! Athy, to their credit, replied with two goals and had a penalty saved by Gaels goalkeeper Daniel Cawley who managed to distract the kicker with his best Bruce Grobbelar impression. (For anyone under 30 reading this, he used to be a Liverpool goalie!). The Gaels finished with points from Ryan Moran, Robert McGrath and Robert Hanley as they ran out winners on a scoreline of 7:11 to 2:04.
Cúchulainn Gaels v Raheens 17th June 2012 at Raheens
The Gaels made their way to Caragh for their second game against table toppers, Raheens. The Gaels put in a hard first 30 minutes and refused to allow Raheens gain the upper hand. Evan Halford and Orin Stanley fought hard in defence throughout the half as they kept the Raheens attack at bay. A three point lead was whittled down by points from Robert Hanley, Stephen Keogh and Robert McGrath but the home team pulled three clear again before the half time whistle sounded at 0:08 to 0:05 in favour of Raheens.
On the change of ends Raheens pulled away with a goal and three points in the first ten minutes but that was just a trigger for a remarkable comeback. Superb play by midfielder Stephen Keogh brought the Gaels back into the game almost single handedly. An Enda McSweeney goal followed and points from Cian Gobbet and Ryan Moran quickly brought a nine point lead back to just a two. Raheens then replied with a fortunate goal after Daniel Cawley had saved the initial shot, and the Gaels could only muster a point in reply before the final whistle sounded to leave it 2:12 to 1:10 in favour of the home side.
Cúchulainn Gaels v Rathangan 20th June 2012 at Athgarvan
And so we were down to the final game at home to Rathangan requiring a win to reach the play-offs. This proved to be a tempestuous affair as the visitors played a very physical style game but the home team refused to be intimidated and played their way through it. Rathangan, having dominated the opening 20 minutes and leading 0:04 to 0:01, were rocked by a late Enda McSweeney goal and four superb points from Callum Sourke (2), Robert Hanley and Josh Clinton. The whistle sounded with the Gaels 1:05 to 0:04 ahead.
The next ten minutes were dominated by the visitors as they notched 2:02 to take a four point lead. Jordan Kaye, Evan Halford and Luke Barry were fighting hard to keep the Gaels in the game but the pressure was relentless. Evan Halford was then forced off with a leg injury but Gavin Coakley came in and had a fantastic game at the heart of the Gaels defence.
A great individual goal from Cormac O’Mahoney pulled the Gaels back into the game and an exchange of points followed as the sides became locked at 2:07 apiece. Robert McGrath ended a scoreless spell when he put the Gaels in front with a fine point after good work by Evan Conroy.
Then came the turning point in the game when Daniel Cawley saved a goalbound shot superbly and luck was on his side as the rebound shot came back off the post. From there on there was only one team in it as the Gaels pressed on scoring six more unanswered points to finish on a scoreline of 2:14 to 2:07.
Cúchulainn Gaels v Sallins (Semi-Final Play-Off) 24th June 2012 at Sallins
The Gaels finally reached the play-off game following a hectic ten days of matches. It was a beautiful sunny morning in Sallins as both teams took the field with the home team confident of a win having beaten the Gaels by 18 points in the second round of this League.
A brace of points from Ryan Moran was cancelled out by Sallins before Cormac O’Mahoney scored a cracker of a goal and followed with a fine point to put the Gaels in control. Quick scores followed from Robert Hanley, Ryan Moran and the outstanding Stephen Keogh as the home side seemed shell shocked by the visitors attacking play.
Gavin Coakley, Enda McSweeney and Luke Barry were strong in defence but the home side managed some late scores to leave it 1:10 to 0:05 at the break.
Substitute Cian Gobbett stretched the Gaels lead with a point and it could have been more but for a fine double save from the Sallins goalkeeper on Robert McGrath. Sallins got back into the game with an excellent goal and hit three more points as they tore into the Gaels lead. Three points in succession from Cormac O’Mahoney, Stephen Keogh and Robert McGrath steadied the ship as the Gaels pulled clear again. Sallins threatened again but found it impossible to break through the defensive wall of Josh Clinton, Jordan Kaye and Luke Barry. As the clock ticked down the Gaels scored some marvellous points from Robert Hanley, Cian Gobbett and Cormac O’Mahoney as Sallins only reply was a late well taken goal.
This was a great display of football from both teams and the final score of 1:20 to 2:10 in favour of the Gaels tells its own tale. The Gaels now face Raheens on Wednesday evening in the semi-final (venue TBC).
Match Reports by Declan McGrath