Clinical Ciaran helps Bonni’ bounce into semis
Tourmakeady’s Darrach McConnell goes full stretch in an effort to block the shot of Bonniconlon’s Jonathan Lavelle during last Sunday's Treanlaur Catering Mayo JFC 'A' quarter-final at Pairc Naomh Mhuire. Pictures: Conor McKeown
2024 runners-up Bonniconlon moved one step closer to redemption after eventually putting a gallant Tourmakeady to the sword on Sunday afternoon.
The full-time scoreline of this county junior football championship quarter-final did not accurately reflect the contest at its entirety as the home side threw everything at their opponents right up until additional time, which began with only three points separating the sides.
But on fine margins and clinical moments are games decided at the business end of championship and Bonniconlon’s experience told, as the team only relegated from the intermediate ranks in 2023 hit a goal and two points without reply during that additional time.
In an overall context, eleven points from the boot of Ciaran Gaughan, including a trio of two-point frees, were crucial to the victory achieved by Nobby McLoughlin’s charges.
It was hosts, however, who were first out of the traps courtesy of a Ronan Malee free before their opponents responded with three points on the spin, comprised of one from a Sean Neary free and an excellent two-pointer from Ciaran Gaughan.
Both teams exchanged scores as the opening quarter came to a close leaving the scoreline at 0-7 to 0-3 in favour of Bonniconlon.
McLoughlin’s men exerted themselves in the closing stages of the first period with the reward of three points from Ciaran Gaughan frees while Luke Lydon and Sean Joyce kept the home side in with a fighting chance with a point apiece.
The half-time score read 0-11 to 0-05 in favour of Bonniconlon and one felt the men from the shores of Lough Mask needed a moment of magic to revive the contest in the second period. And sure enough, it arrived no sooner than 22 seconds into the second period when Patrick Lydon showed tremendous composure in finding the back of the visitors net to finish off a brilliant team move.
The car horns got louder on the hill with every score Tourmakeady landed in the second-half and they brought a reinvigorated momentum with them.
Wesley Loftus, who was brilliant throughout at wing-forward, settled Bonniconlon nerves before Sean Staunton responded with a well-taken score from distance.
With the contest turning down the home straight, Tourmakeady’s Luke Lydon struck a monster two-pointed effort to cut the deficit to the minimum and while Ciaran Gaughan and Rory Upton restored the three point advantage for the visiting side, the real drama was yet to come.
A long, searching ball was sent into the Bonniconlon goalmouth and when it felt as though time was standing still, the ball found its way to Tourmak’ substitute Fionn Conway who pulled on the loose ball only to see his effort on goal flash just wide.
No sooner than 60 seconds had elapsed when Bonniconlon put the contest to bed as Rory Upton squared the ball across to Brian O’Malley who palmed into the back of the home side’s net to finish the contest.
Ciaran Gaughan added a two-pointer to close out the proceedings as referee John Brennan sounded the full-time whistle.
Shane Moran’s troops had fought tooth and nail to the bitter end but ultimately, came up short to a Bonniconlon side who evidently are gaining confidence with each performance.
Scorers – Tourmakeady: Ronan Malee 0-0-3f, Patrick Lydon 1-0-0, Luke Lydon 0-1-1, Harry Barker, Sean Joyce and Sean Staunton 0-0-1 each.
Bonniconlon: Ciaran Gaughan 0-3-5 (3tpf, 4f), Brian O’Malley 1-0-0, Wesley Loftus 0-0-3, Rory Upton, Sean Neary (f) and Jonathan Lavelle 0-0-1 each.
Tourmakeady: Lee Tolan Jennings; Sean Heneghan, Tomás Staunton, James Walsh; Sean Joyce, Martin Carr, Matthew Gibbons; Darrach McConnell, Mike Burke; Sean Joyce, Harry Barker, Luke Lydon; Patrick Lydon, Ronan Malee, Sean Staunton. Subs: John Granaghan (for Barker 44), Fionn Conway (for S Staunton 50), John Burke (for McConnell 55).
Bonniconlon: Eugene Carlin; Eoin Fox, James Kelly, James McKenzie; Ronan Conlon, Cillian Upton, Conor Igoe; Richard McKenzie, Niall Greavy; Darragh Fox, Jonathan Lavelle, Wesley Loftus; Sean Neary, Brian O’Malley, Ciaran Gaughan. Subs: Ronan Neary (for Upton 45), Rory Upton (for D Fox 52).
REF: John Brennan (Claremorris)
