The result of this game appeared sorted 5 minutes into the second half when Gaels moved into an 11 point lead but in the end of the game it could have gone either way. It was appropriate that Kevin Banks had the final say when scoring a free from under the stand into the town goal of Quigabar as he was the main reason for red and white team for getting back into the game.
Gaels were off to an excellent start when Bryan Moloney had a goal when the keeper mis-controlled his effort for a point. Less than a minute later he made a great save from David Barrett who duly drove the rebound to the net. Coolera settled to get points from Ronan Redmond, Kieran Prior and Banks but these were cancelled out by a Barrett free and points from play by Tom Mahon and Alan Cawley. In a game of fits and starts, Coolera/S came back with two of their own from Banks and Mark Comerford. The lads from the west finished the half strongly with Moloney and Cawley points from play and an Aidan Morrison free to leave the score at 2-6 v 0-5.
The 8 minutes at the start of the second half saw the lead extended further with 5 points from Matthew Walsh, Cawley(2), Morrison and Barrett. The only response was a Shane Brenan point from the corner. A long range free fell into the square and Ronan Redmond drove the sliotar to the corner of the net. Crucially Coolera Strandhill added to this with points from Banks and Prior and a long range point from corner back Conor Gillen. Alan Cawley kicked to the net after being hooked twice en route to goal but again the response from the visitors was impressive as they took a stranglehold of midfield with Banks equalising the game going into injury time. Mark Comerford went for a goal right after to win the game but Barry Keenan made an excellent double save. Gaels could not get it to stick in their forward line but were fouled around midfield and Barrett put it over. A free out on the sideline was not an easy task but Banks drove the sliotar over the bar in what in the end was a result both teams deserved.
Scorers:
Western Gaels : Alan Cawley 1-4, David Barrett 1-3(2f), Bryan Moloney 1-1, Aidan Morrison 0-2 (2f), Matthew Walsh 0-1
Coolera/Strandhill : Kevin Banks 0-6 (2f), Shane Brenan 1-2, Ronan Redmond 1-1, Kieran Prior 0-3 (1f) Larry Cadden 0-1 (1f), Mark Comerford, Conor Gillen 0-1 each