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Post date: Apr 22, 2012 8:55:04 PM
Cúchulainn Gaels 4:03 Balyna 1:15. Cúchulainn Gaels suffered out first defeat of 2012 when taking on last years Féile B winners in St Conleths Park on Sunday 22nd April. . It was the first time that most of our players lined out on Kildare GAA’s most sacred sod, based on today’s performance many of them will be back there in the not too distant future.
An early Balyna point was cancelled out by Ryan Moran before Cormac O’Mahoney finished a strong run through the middle with a powerfully struck goal to put the Gaels 1:01 to 0:01 ahead. The physically stronger Balyna side then took control of the game and piled pressure on the Gaels defence with some forceful running. Jordan Kaye, Luke Barry and Enda McSweeney defended valiantly; but could not prevent Balyna from scoring six unanswered points.
The Gaels were then denied a penalty when Robert McGrath was dragged down inside the large square; the referee inexplicably awarded a free from the 13m line. Cormac O’Mahoney pointed the free, shortly afterwards the Gaels were in unlucky when a shot from Robert McGrath came back off the crossbar.
As the rain poured down, Balyna stepped it up a gear, scoring three more points before Ross Fallon broke through for a fantastic individual goal for the Gaels as the break approached. The Balyna full forward then broke through the Gaels defence but his goal bound shot was saved brilliantly by Daniel Cawley in the Gaels goal to keep it 0:10 to 2:02 in favour of Balyna as the half time whistle sounded.
The second half turned out to be a cracker as the game ebbed and flowed, the balance of power changing as often as the weather did during an enthralling thirty minutes. Ryan Moran reduced the margin to a single point before a high ball into the square from Robert McGrath was fumbled by the Balyna goalkeeper, Fergal O’Mahoney was on hand to toe poke it to the net putting the Gaels ahead by two points. The next ten minutes was end to end stuff, both teams gave it everything, but both defences held out to prevent scores. Stephen Keogh, Josh Clinton and Callum Sourke were outstanding during this period and gave everything they had.
A very harsh call against Cormac O’Mahoney resulted in a Balyna ‘free’ which was taken quickly resulting in a goal. Balyna won the game in the next five minutes scoring four consecutive points to go five clear. Cúchulainn Gaels showed their spirit and continued to battle on. Cormac O’Mahoney scoring a superb goal to leave just two between the sides again with just three minutes to go. As the Gaels pushed forward in search of a winning goal, Balyna broke out of defence and swept down the field, a blistering shot at goal was deflected over the bar by Daniel Cawley.
The Gaels continued to battle on in search of a goal, however the final whistle sounded with a 1:15 to 4:03 win for Balyna.
One highlight of the game was the tackling of the Gaels defence, on numerous occasions they executed a perfect tackle to dispossess the Balyna forwards, without fouling. Both teams deserve great credit for an outstanding game of football in what was, at times, awful conditions.
Well done to all players who took part throughout the Féile competition and to the team mentors Tom Moran and Tomas O’Mahoney. We look forward to the under 14 league with confidence.
Cúchulainn Gaels: Daniel Cawley, Orin Stanley, Jordan Kaye, Luke Barry, Enda McSweeney, Josh Clinton, Calum Sourke, Stephen Keogh, Cormac O'Mahoney, Ross Fallon, Robert Hanley, Fearghal O'Mahoney, JB Murphy, Ryan Moran, Robert McGrath, Gavin Coakley, Michael John Prendergast, Paul Murphy, Jamie Kearns, Eibhin Conroy, Evan Halford.
More pictures from the final on the Balyna facebook page
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