Owenmore Gaels 2-8 Curry 0-17

Curry left Connolly Park with the points on Saturday evening after coming out on top in what was a strange game.

Curry roared out of the blocks scoring the first 5 points in a row with Owenmore Gaels players still seeminly in the dressing room. We finally mustered a response when a determined run forward from Rolly Anderson was illegally halted and Stephen Fallon converted the free. This was a temporary respite as curry reeled of 3 more points in a row to give them a commanding lead, the score reading 0-1 0-8 in Curry’s favour.

Finally we began get some foothold in the game. Fallon converted two frees, the first won by James Duffy, the second by Fallon himself when he was crudely taken out, which was becoming a feature of the game. We were getting the measure of their forwards with Vinnie Harte, Tony Fox and Mark Walshe showing well. A brilliant team move ended with Fallon bearing down on goal but his goalbound effort smacked back of the crossbar. Another excellent move started by a fox interception ended with Aaron Walshe pointing of his left. We followed this up with another point to narrow the gap to 4 points. Unfortunately this positive spell was undone when we conceded 4 points in a row leading up to half-time to leave the score line at 0-5 0-13 in favour of Curry at the turn-around.

We started the second have well in terms of dominating possession. However our final ball and execution in the final third was letting us down and we didn’t make it count on the scoreboard. Curry hit the first point of the half on the counter. We then won a penalty when Daragh Mahon was fouled in the rectangle. However Fallons penalty was well saved and when we worked the rebound to Aaron Walshe his well placed shot came straight back of the upright.

Curry scored the next point to move into a 10 point lead. Fallon responded with a point after winning primary possession. 2 more points were exchanged, Anderson getting a neat score. We hit another point to leave the score reading 0-7 0-16.

We then won another penalty, Calum Tonry fouled after determined play. Anderson Dispatched the penalty expertly. We then hit another major straight away after a fantastic team move. Derek Lynch was fouled near the sideline in his own half. The ball was quickly moved through Duffy and Tonry who released Anderson who had made an excellent supporting run. He crashed the ball to the back of the net to bring us within 3 points.

Despite constant pressure we and a few half chances we couldn’t find another goal. Points were exchanged, ours a free from Fallon, but we fell just short. We had paid for an extremely sluggish start. While the fight shown was commendable at this level we cannot afford to be giving teams the headstart we afforded Curry. With two games left we still have the chance to finish in the top four.

Team: Diarmuid O’Grady, Tony Fox, Jack Foley, Vinnie Harte, Mark Walsh, Jamie Callaghan, Rolly Anderson (2-1, 1 Pen), James Duffy, Calum Tonry, Stephen Fallon (0-6, 5 F), Derek Lynch, Kevin Quigley, Jordan McGuinn (Byron Doherty), Aaron Walshe (0-1), Darragh Mahon Subs: Jack Branley, Diarmuid Harte