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Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Gerald’s capitalise on Colman’s collapse
By Michael Gallagher
ST GERALD’S, CASTLEBAR 0-11
ST COLMAN’S, CLAREMORRIS 0-06
A GOOD start might have been half the battle for St Colman’s, but St Gerald’s definitely won the war when these two college kingpins clashed in the provincial semi-final on Sunday afternoon.
The reigning champions from Claremorris began explosively in the sunshine but they were hauled back by the stronger Castlebar outfit and overtaken long before the final furlong.
Colman’s only kicked one point in the closing 42 minutes but they did have chances to better that tally and with a little more precision could well have found the goal their challenge so badly needed.
The holders opened proceedings in a highly impressive manner and kicked five points while moving the ball quickly and decisively into scoring positions. Adam Gallagher, Ryan Quirke, Michael Waldron and Ciaran Kelly were among those catching the eye as David Macken, Josh Ronayne, Quirke and Darren Coen (2) all split the posts as Colman’s laid down a statement of their intent.
A number of poor wides halted their gallop however and Gerald’s found their rhythm as the match passed the 20-minute mark. Danny Kirby and Fergal Durkan began to get their hands on the ball, Thomas Walsh looked lively, while David Stenson and Cillian O’Connor looked dangerous when in possession.
O’Connor landed three points in the closing minutes of the half, while Stenson added a single of his own to bring the Blues to within a point of their wind-assisted opponents.
Indeed, the Castlebar boys could have been in front if Thomas Walsh hadn’t watched his goal effort scrape the outside of the post after 25 minutes following good play from Durkan and O’Connor.
Gerald’s had the considerable wind advantage on their backs after the break and were level after seven minutes when points from O’Connor and Walsh cancelled out a well-struck free from Ronayne.
Gerald’s were expected to push on from there and win the match but Colman’s had other ideas and with a superb effort from their defensive and midfield departments they held firm and could well have retaken the lead themselves.
A number of scoring chances were missed or not attempted as the Red and White desperately searched for scores. They almost fashioned a goal after 46 minutes when Barry Healy sent John Hutton clean through on goal. The attacker advanced and prepared to drive the ball to the net but just as it left his foot Niall McCarney dived headlong and blocked the ball to safety. It was a superb intervention and may have changed the course of history.
Gerald’s swarmed up the pitch in the moments following McCarney’s heroics and Stenson punched the ball over the bar to give his side the lead for the first time.
Colman’s continued to look for the scores they so urgently required but the tide had turned and the blues gradually moved clear with two fine points from O’Connor and a late conversion from Conor O’shea.
The Castlebar boys were deserving winners and will be looking towards the final with great anticipation, but they’ll have to improve dramatically of they’re going to regain the provincial crown.
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