Ballygarvan 2-9, Shamrocks 0-10
This was Shamrocks last league game of the regular season and while they went down to a 5 point defeat to a strong Ballygarvan team who topped the league, Shamrocks couldnt have played any better in defeat.
The only aspect of this display that was wrong from a Shamrocks point of view was the final scoreline. Simply put, this was a game of ball well above B standard and both teams are to be congratulated on a great game. Shamrocks discipline, attitude and battling qualities were top class and the game was as clean as a whistle and was a doddle to referee. Indeed, throughout the season, Shamrocks attitude and discipline at B level has been excellent.
The watching A manager Pat McCarthy must have been pleased with some notable performances with the A championship coming up in a few weeks. Some players certainly caught the eye and it was good to see Simon McGarry and Darragh O’Sullivan make their first full starts of the year.
Ballygarvan opened up with 2 points but Shamrocks were being very competitive around the middle of the pitch and they scored 3 fantastic points from play through Stephen Keane and Darragh O’Sullivan. Indeed, Keane scored 5 great points from play from midfield and was everywhere throughout. Ballygarvan struck for their opening goal midway through the first half and maintained that lead up until halftime, 1-6 to 0-6. The only downside was that Shamrocks wasted some scorable chances at one end (8 wides) while Ballygarvan were way more economical at the other end (1 wide). Simon McGarry was the other Shamrocks scorer in that half which featured some excellent football from both sides. The Ballygarvan keeper also made 2 brilliant saves from Shamrocks goalbound efforts.
Ballygarvan just about did enough to hold off a stiff Shamrocks second half challenge. Shamrocks needed the first score in the second half but 3 chances went wide before Ballygarvan got on top midway through the second half. Shamrocks were getting tired at this stage and Ballygarvan pounced to score a quickfire 1-1 without reply to lead by 7 points, 2-9 to 0-8. However, Shamrocks refused to be knocked by this and never gave up – they finished the stronger with points from play through Roy Twomey and yet another from Stephen Keane.
On the night, the whole team, despite being short 7 regulars, cannot be faulted for their efforts. However mention must go to Jamie Sweeney who was like a new man in his new position of left half back. He was outstanding. The afore mentioned Stephen Keane was the same while Brian Cusack played his best football of the year. In the backs Kevin O’Mahony continues to defy his age while Jason Browne was outstanding as well, in particular in the first half.
So thats it for the league campaign. Shamrocks MAY have qualified for the playoffs of this league (4 points from 10) but that is not clear at this stage.
Meanwhile, all players are encouraged to train away with the Hurlers and the Footballers, training is for EVERYONE. The B Championship is provisionally pencilled in for July 24th.
(There are some action photos from tonights game in the Gallery section of this site)
Team: J. Wilson, K. O’Mahony, C. Brady, A. Hickey, J. Sweeney, R. Murphy, J. Browne, S. McGarry, S. Keane, B. Cusack, D. O’Sullivan, C. Ronayne, R. Twomey, J. Brady, S. Downey. Sub used – D. Roche.
