Owenmore Gaels 1-17 Coolera/Strandhill 0-11

The junior B team continued their impressive form to make it a clean sweep in the group stages and secure a county semi-final place.
Playing into a strong wind in the first half we got the first score of the game through Stephen Fallon assisted by Michael Casey. Coolera got two of the next three, ours again from Fallon who was quick onto a loose ball in the danger area. We were defending well, led by full back John Sweeney who made two crucial interceptions in this period.
Glen McCormack split the posts after good work from Adrian Egan and Fallon. Egan then got on the scoresheet after we patiently worked the ball upfield and McCormack broke the cover. Coolera hit back with two in a row to equalise. We went in front again when McCormack profited from a superb block and run from Ciaran Mcpartland to point. Coolera again equalised in what was developing into a fascinating battle. Coolera nudged in front for the first time before Egan equalised from a free. We then struck a goal when McCormack hit the net after a fine counter attack. Half time score 1-6 0-6 in our favour.
We started the second with a flourish. Fallon won a free which Egan converted. Fallon, who proved a real menace in this quarter, scored two in a row, the second a super move involving Casey and Liam Gilligan. Luke Middleton followed up on spilled ball to put over the bar and give us a 7 point lead.
Coolera pointed but it would only be a brief reprieve. Ciaran Mcpartland got the score his workrate deserved before Conall O’Dwyer finished a flowing move involving Bryan Mcpartland, McCormack and Fallon.
Fallon and McCormack combined again to set up Egan and put us 1-14 0-7 to the good.
Coolera mustered a response in the shape of two points. Egan pointed again before Gavin Phelan made a super save to push a goalbound effort over the bar.
Substitute Niall Dunican took a nice point before Egan got another, set up again by the McCormack, Mcpartland, Fallon combo.
We had the luxury of missing a penalty before Dunican took another score and a Coolera free rounded off the scoring for the day.

Another good performance from this developing team. Gavin Phelan’s kick outs were outstanding. Youngsters Ciaran Mcpartland and Middleton again showing very well. John Sweeney and Bryan Mcpartland were very impressive at the back. Gerard Doyle and Ross Trill dominated the middle section, Trill showing off a great range of passing throughout. McCormack and Mcpartland were a threat all evening. Egan was as ever deadly in front of the posts, with Fallon offering a different option up top. A very good team performance across the 20 players involved.

Team: Gavin Phelan, Bryan Mcpartland, John Sweeney, Luke Middleton (0-1), Liam Gilligan, Kevin O’Hara, Joey Sweeney (Diarmuid O’Grady), Ross Trill, Gerard Doyle, Glen McCormack (1-2), Michael Casey, Ciaran Mcpartland (0-1), Conall O’Dwyer (0-1) (Niall Dunican (0-2)), Stephen Fallon (0-4) (Thomas Kerins), Adrian Egan (0-6, 2F) (Alan Anderson) Subs: Brendan McCann