Naomh Molaise Gaels 4.22 Geevagh 0.12
Match Report: Jimmy McLoughlin
This round 1 Group 1 game, played at a sun-drenched Scarden
on Saturday evening, promised to be a classic encounter between two teams
favoured to make the semi final stages of this year’s Intermediate Football
Championship. As it turned out, it was an easier than expected victory for
Molaise against a Geevagh side without the services of two of their star
players, Pat Hughes, and Kevin Henry.
There was only 15 seconds on the clock before the ball was
in the back of the Geevagh net for the first time in the game courtesy of
Gaels’ corner forward James Heraghty. Joe Keaney, fresh from his exploits in
Philadelphia, split the posts in the second minute to put Molaise four points
up. Ciaran Jennings opened Geevagh’s account with a point from play in the
third minute. Two points each from James Heraghty and Michael Langan, and one
from team captain Alan McLoughlin, left the score at the water break 1-06 to
0-03 in favour of Molaise, with Geevagh points coming from Donal Conlon and
Eamon McDonagh.
Geevagh had a goal chance of their own in the fourteenth minute,
but the ball went the wrong side of the post. From the resulting kick out,
Gaels worked the ball up field for Keelan Watters to palm into Geevagh’s net
following a pass from Alan McLoughlin. Geevagh replied with two points from TJ
Davey and one from former county player Kenneth Sweeney from a free. Two points
from Alan McLoughlin and one from Langan, followed by two pointed frees from
Sweeney, left the score at the short whistle Molaise 2-09, Geevagh 0-07.
Joe Keaney added a point followed by a goal from Michael
Langan when he received a pass from Cathal Herron on the resumption. Two more
points from Langan and one from McLoughlin put the Gaels out of reach but
Geevagh did not lie down adding points from Conor Lavin and another two from
Sweeney free kicks. Langan for Molaise and Joseph O’Reilly swapped points just
before the second water break. A point from Jamie McLoughlin, introduced to the
action after the second water break, kept the scoreboard ticking over. Geevagh
were denied a goal by a brilliant double save from Gaels net minder Niall
McLoughlin in the 20th minute.
Some gallant defending by the Gaels’ full back line, where
Liam Kennedy stood out and was ably assisted by Colm Clancy and John Kerins,
kept Geevagh at bay. Molaise’s half back line attacked at every opportunity
with strong running from Luke Casserly, Luke Towey and Marc Heraghty. Geevagh
substitute Daniel Devine scored two fine points from play but further points
from Langan, Jamie McLoughlin, Marc Heraghty and Alan McLoughlin, and a goal
from Alan McLoughlin, saw the Gaels prevail on a final score line of 4-22 to
0-12.
Molaise Gaels: Niall McLoughlin, Liam Kennedy, Colm
Clancy, John Kerins, Luke Casserly, Luke Towey, Marc Heraghty (0-01), Dean Carroll,
Cathal Burns, Keelin Watters (1-0), Joseph Keaney (0-2), Alan McLoughlin (C)
(1-06, 2f), James Heraghty (1-02), Cathal Herron, Michael Langan (1-08, 2f).
Subs used: Paddy McGowan, Jason Brennan, Jamie McLoughlin (0-03).
Geevagh: Darren Kearns, Arthur Wall, George Wall,
Vincent Corcoran, Gary McManamon, Conor Lavin (0-01), Thomas O’Reilly (C),
Joseph O’Reilly (0-01), Donal Conlon (1-01), Declan Cunnane, Ciaran Jennings
(0-01), TJ Davey (0-01), Eamonn McDonagh (0-01), Kenneth Sweeney (0-04), Daithi
O’Reilly. Subs used: Daniel Smith, Daniel Devine (0-02), Diarmuid Lavin, Muiris
Flynn.