Coolera/Strandhill 3-6 Owenmore Gaels 2-14
Our minors got their Division 1 campaign off to a winning start last Monday at Ransboro Park with a close fought win over Coolera/Strandhill.
We got the opening score in the first minute when the returning Gary Anderson pointed after a good move involving some quick hand passing exchanges. The next score came from younger brother Roland when he found the back of the next via a deflection to give us a flying start. Coolera got on the scoreboard with a neat point before Cian Whiteside restored our 4 point advantage after a fine team move involving John Mahon, Calum Tonry and Ross Farrell. Kevin Healy split the posts next after an excellent foray forward from Whiteside. Coolera pointed before U-16 player Oisin Geraghty got on the scoresheet stylishly of his left boot on the turn. Tonry added another to put us into a 6 point lead.
Coolera then reignited the contest when they struck for their first major of the evening. We responded with scores from frees by Ronan Sweeney and Healy, the second bravely won by corner-back Bryan McPartland. Coolera responded with their second goal and struck a point before half time to leave the score at 1-7 2-3 at the turn-around. Despite been in control for much of the half the concession of the goals meant it was very much game on.
We started the second half with the first two points, Sweeney with a free and a super score from Gary Anderson after he fielded from a Coolera kick-out. However, like in the first half we let the opposition right back into it by conceding a third goal which levelled the game up.
That seemed to finally be the wake up call as Sweeney made his significant mark on the game. He scored a fine goal of his left foot, made by McPartland and Tony Fox. He followed this up with a point, with Healy firing over a free shortly after to put us 5 in front. Coolera pointed, but we sealed the game with the next three points on the bounce, one from play and one from a free from Sweeney, with sub Aaron Walsh also splitting the uprights. Coolera hit a consolation point but we ran out deserved if not entirely convincing winners.
Maximum points a good return on the opening day, with some bright play but also lots of room for improvement. Best on the day for the Gaels Bryan McPartland, Cian Whiteside, Ronan Sweeney and Roland Anderson. No doubt the return of senior panelists Brian Mahon and Ryan Philips from injury will be a big boost. Next up a sterner test in the shape of St. Farnans at home on the 15th April.
Team: Diarmuid O’Grady, Tony Fox (Roan Conneely), James Duffy, Bryan McPartland, Cian Whiteside (0-1), Jack Foley, Roland Anderson (1-0), John Mahon, Calum Tonry (0-1), Ronan Sweeney (1-5 3F), Gary Anderson (0-2), Ross Farrell, Kevin Healy (0-3 2F), Josh Verdon (Aaron Walsh (0-1)), Oisin Geraghty (0-1) Sub: Kevin Quigley