St Lomans GAA Club Notes 18/10/2021:
Shay Murtagh Senior Championship Quarter Final:
St Lomans Mullingar 1-10 Caulry 0-08
Last Saturday evening our Senior side secured a semi-final place after a hard-fought victory over Caulry. This was the first time in their history Caulry had made a Senior Quarter final and they were eager to make history. Caulry started well and hit two early points through Senan Baker. The Blues were scoreless for the first ten minutes of play until Sam McCartan got us on the board with an excellent outside of the boot point. Eoin Fox restored a two-point lead for the underdogs, but the Saints were level shortly afterwards after two John Heslin frees. Caulry regained the lead after a Conor McCormack free and point from play for Alan Malynn. The teams then traded scores through free’s from Heslin and McCormack respectively. Heslin pointed with the last kick of the first half to leave the Saints a point down at the interval and a shock looked as though it may be on the cards.
A big second half was needed for the Mullingar men. Declan Kelly introduced Paul Whelehan for the second half, and he was straight into the action, levelling the match with a lovely point. The sides once again exchanged scores with McCormack on target for Caulry and Sam McCartan with a beautifully struck 45 for the Blues. The Second half was nip and tuck with limited scores. The teams traded scores once more with Heslin and McCormack on the scoresheet yet again. Fola Ayorinde then took off on a rampaging run and was hauled down by the Caulry defenders winning a free kick in the process. Heslin duly converted the resulting free, leaving the Champions a single point ahead going into injury time.
Caulry looked to be in for a goal late on but Oisín Hogan somehow managed to get a fist on the ball and Kelvin Reilly managed to pick up the breaking ball to prevent a goal, the pairs efforts were vital in the Saints getting over the line. In injury time Ronan O’Toole was fouled and John Heslin stepped up to try put a long-range free over the bar. This was the vital moment of the game. A point would almost certainly seal the win for the Saints. Caulry’s ferocious support did their best to try to put Heslin off but as per usual he was the coolest man in TEG Cusack Park, his free sailed over the bar to give vital breathing space. Caulry tried to find a last-minute goal to snatch the win but a Crossfield ball was intercepted by Ronan O’Toole who put substitute Ken Casey through on goal, and when Casey got in that position there was no doubting the finish. Casey slotted into the bottom corner with the last kick of the game to confirm our place in the semi-final.
In truth this game was not one for the neutrals. It was a case of getting the job done for St Loman’s who were frustrated for long periods by a dogged Caulry team. The late goal perhaps put a bit of gloss on the score-line as there was only a point between the teams going into injury time. However, a win is a win and we now progress to our eleventh consecutive senior championship semi-final which is no small feat. On the day defences were on top. Oisín Hogan and Kelvin Reilly were superb. Darragh O’Keefe and Paddy Dowdall were both excellent in the second half. Paul Whelehan and Ken Casey also contributed well from the substitutes bench. The man of the match came in the middle of the park, Sam McCartan was once again brilliant in midfield alongside his partner Kevin Regan. However, it was McCartan winning countless possessions and scoring two points at vital stages of the match which made the difference. We now face Coralstown Kinnegad in two weeks’ time with date, time and venue to be confirmed.
Team; Jason Daly, David Whelan, Oisín Hogan, Darragh O’Keefe, Kelvin Reilly, Paddy Dowdall, Jack Geoghegan, Kevin Regan, Sam McCartan (0.02, 0.01 45), Chris Gilbert, Ronan O’Toole, Peter Foy,
Fola Ayorinde, John Heslin (0.07, 0.06f), Shane Dempsey. Subs used; Paul Whelehan (0.01), Ken Casey (1.00).
Clarkes Bar Junior Championship Quarter Final:
St Lomans Mullingar 0-17 St Joseph’s 3-05
Last Sunday morning our junior side travelled to Ballynacargy to face St Joseph’s in the Junior Championship Quarter final. In the previous year this match went to extra time in what was a pulsating encounter which the Blues ran out narrow winners and this was no different. The Sides traded scores early on with Cian Cleary on target for Lomans. Conan O’Hara opened his accounts moments later with an excellent point. The Sides then exchanged scores two scores each with O’Hara and Cleary pointing once more. The Blues got into their stride before the break and hit four unanswered points through David Morgan, Andrew Daly and a double from Conan O’Hara leaving the Saints five points to the good at the break.
The Blues once again started the second half brightly and extended their lead to seven points with a Conan O’Hara placed ball and a Tristan Graham point from play. What followed next was a bonkers twenty minutes of football. With the Saints seemingly in complete control, St Joseph’s hit three goals in a manic five-minute period in which the Lomans defence was at sixes and sevens. The Blues supporters were scratching their heads as to how quickly the lead had evaporated and with Joseph’s in front going into the last quarter, our Championship campaign was in severe doubt. However, our lads showed great character and two quick-fire points from Conan O’Hara and David Aughey tied the match heading into the dying embers. Both teams traded further blows with two points for either side, Morgan and Conradh Reilly were on target on this occasion.
With nothing between the teams and five minutes on the clock thankfully the Blues managed to summon the strength of character to get over the line. Excellent late points from the full forward line of O’Hara, Cleary and Morgan brought us victory. There were many positives and negatives for our lads on the day who will be kicking themselves for conceding three quick-fire goals but the fact that they managed to regain the lead after suffering such a blow is a testament to the mental strength of the team. In terms of individual performances, Ethan Browne was excellent at corner-back and Sean Kelly made some crucial blocks in the closing stages. Tristan Graham and Adam Lynch fought hard, and their effort was undeniable in the half forward line. Conradh Reilly’s experience was vital in securing the win, but Conan O’Hara’s scores were crucial in getting over the line and it was him that proved to be the difference. We now face Bunbrosna in the semi-final in two weeks’ time with date, time and venue to be confirmed.
Team; Stephen Gallagher, Ethan Browne, Sean Kelly, Seanie Dinnegan, Shane Flynn, Eoghan O’Keefe, Daire Smyth, David Aughey, Andrew Daly (0.01), Tristan Graham (0.01), Conradh Reilly (0.01), Adam Lynch, David Morgan (0.03, 0.2f), Conan O’Hara (0.07, 0.03f), Cian Cleary (0.03). Subs Used; Senan Russell, Cian Daly.
Club Lotto:
Draw Date: Thursday 14th October
This week’s jackpot: €9900
Numbers drawn: 5, 8, 14, 15
Next Week’s Jackpot: €10000
No Jackpot Winner
Next Week’s Draw Date: Thursday 21st October
Remember it could be you!
