Curry 2-10 Owenmore Gaels 1-10
The minor lads suffered the heartbreak of championship semi-final defeat at Nace O’Dowd park Sunday morning.
The recent inclement weather finally subsided to allow the players get on with this much anticipated match up.
Curry started the brighter, hitting the first 3 points without reply with the aid of the breeze. We didn’t panic, and began to work our way into the game, hitting the post and a few wides before our first score, a free from distance from Kevin Healy getting us off the mark after Rolly Anderson was fouled.
A brave Ross Trill block led to Healy pointing from play after being set up by James Duffy and Stephen Fallon. Kevin Quigley was next on the scoresheet to level proceedings, set up by Duffy and Oisin Geraghty after excellent defensive play from Vinnie Harte and Anderson to start the move.
Curry then reeled off 3 points in a period of dominance before Fallon pointed a free won by himself. Then came a pivotal moment when Curry struck for a goal on the stroke of half-time after a strong run and finish. This left the Gaels 5 points down at the turnaround, Curry 1-6 Owenmore Gaels 0-4
We came out fighting and got the first two scores of the second half, both frees from Healy, won by Geraghty and Fallon respectively, and the second a fine score from 45 yards.
Curry got a free of their own before Fallon pointed after the impressive Jamie Callaghan was fouled on a foray forward.
Then came a sucker punch when a free from curry fell short but caused confusion in the square and ended up in the net. When Curry followed up with a point from a free it looked like game over.
But as this team has done time and again, we dug deep. A point from Geraghty after a fine flowing move was followed up with a free from Fallon after Aaron Walsh was fouled.
We were throwing everything at Curry and the pressure told when Fallon hit the net after an Aaron Walsh shot was blocked, the chance set-up by great work from Callaghan to win possession in the middle of the park.
Curry raided to snatch a score and put 3 between the teams again. Fallon hit another free over with 14 Curry lads on the line. With a minute left and men committed forward Curry scored the last point of the game to leave 3 points between the sides at the full time whistle.
When the lads get over the disappointment they can look back with pride at a fine season, in a very competitive A grade. The lads competed with the best and played some beautiful football throughout the year. Their teamplay was very impressive and they showed bucket loads of character at times. They have a league shield to show for their efforts.
The challenge for the lads and the club is to now bring these players through to senior football and start to rebuild the club’s reputation at that level.
Big thanks to Pa Murphy, Conor Davey and Gerry Walsh for their time and commitment with the team all year.
A huge thanks to all the supporters who showed out in great numbers yesterday.
Team: Mark Walsh, Vincent Harte, Jack Foley, Evan Willis, Roan Conneely, Jamie Callaghan, Roland Anderson, Ross Trill (Tony Fox), James Duffy, Oisin Geraghty (0-1), Kevin Healy (0-4, 3F), Stephen Fallon (1-4, 4F), Aaron Walsh, Derek Lynch, Kevin Quigley (0-1) (Darragh Mahon) Subs: Diarmuid Harte, Calum Tonry, Jordan McGuinn, Diarmuid O’Grady