Epic second half ends in deadlock between Gaels and Islanders
Achill’s Brian Lavelle was in fine form against Eastern Gaels Picture: David Farrell Photography
A gripping contest in Achill on Sunday afternoon ended all square, as neither the hosts nor Eastern Gaels could find a decisive breakthrough in a game that came alive in the second half.
The opening period was a cagey, scrappy affair, with a stiff coastal, cross-field breeze making conditions tricky for both sides. The home team, more accustomed to the elements, settled quickest.
Inside 17 seconds, Eddie Doran clipped over the game’s first point, followed soon after by a Brian Lavelle free as Eastern Gaels struggled to find their range. Lavelle, put in a man-of-the-match performance kicking 1-8 and he kept Achill’s scoreboard ticking when chances were scarce. James O’Hara stretched the lead as the visitors laboured to match the pace and intensity of the game.
Achill’s defence was watertight early on, intercepting and blocking with purpose to keep Eastern Gaels at bay. The visitors finally opened their account in the 16th minute before Jarlath Concannon, urged on by chants of “shoot,” announced himself with a fine two-pointer.
The hosts responded strongly, with Conor English and Sean Dever adding to the tally as Achill dominated the midfield exchanges.
However, the East Mayo men began to settle late in the half. Evan Godfrey’s two-pointer and an excellent Senan Guilfoyle score reduced the gap to a single point, leaving the half-time score at 0-6 to 0-5 in Achill’s favour, a lead that perhaps flattered the visitors given the balance of play.
Eastern Gaels emerged revitalised after the break. Guilfoyle levelled from a free before Paul Hickey’s side took the lead for the first time. Jack Madden pounced on a deflected effort to palm home from close range and score the first goal of the afternoon.
Achill’s response was immediate, Lavelle landing a two-pointer, only for Guilfoyle who was clinical from placed balls throughout, to restore the Gaels’ advantage with a brace of frees. The tempo rose and the clash took on a real championship feel.
Lavelle again inspired the home side, splitting the posts in the 39th minute with another two-pointer. The visitors almost struck a decisive blow moments later, but Sean McNamara produced a superb save to deny a second Gaels goal.
Impact substitutions on both sides added fresh energy, and the scores continued to trade hands through Shane Glynn and Johnathan Fadian.
Then came Achill’s big moment in the 44th minute as English burst through the defence and unselfishly laid the ball off to Lavelle, who rifled a low shot into the bottom corner. Yet Guilfoyle’s reliable free taking kept the Gaels in touch, and with ten minutes remaining the gap was down to one.
Tiorlach Dever nudged Achill further ahead, but the drama was far from over. In the 53rd minute, an outstanding solo run from Ethan Owens cut through the Achill defence, and despite heavy pressure, he slotted clinically into the bottom corner. Michael McGarry added a point to edge the visitors in front once more.
Achill’s talisman had the final say however. Lavelle, ever-reliable from the dead ball, judged the wind to perfection and struck a two-point free in the 58th minute to level the contest. Both sides pressed desperately for a winner in a frantic closing spell, with Achill carving out the better chances, but neither could land the knockout blow.
The final whistle brought an end to a fiercely contested encounter and left both teams with plenty to take forward from a breathless afternoon’s football.
Scorers; Achill: Brian Lavelle 1-3-2 (2 tpf, 2fs), Eddie Doran, James O’Hara, Conor English, Sean Dever, Johnathan Fadian, and Tiorlach Dever 0-0-1 each.
Eastern Gaels: Senan Guilfoyle 0-0-5 (4fs), Jack Madden 1-0-0, Ethan Owens 1-0-0, Jarlath Concannon 0-1-0, Evan Godfrey 0-1-0 (1 tpf), Shane Glynn and Michael Glynn 0-0-1 each.
Achill; Sean McNamara; Chris Dever, Eugene Doran, Ethan McDonnell; Cian McCarthy, Tiorlach Dever, Ronan Kilbane; Conor English, James Gallagher; James O’Hara, Sean Dever, Johnathan Fadian; Brian Lavelle, Eddie Doran, Jamie McGinty. Subs; Michael Sweeney (for Kilbane, 42), John Joyce (for O’Hara, 47), Fionnbhar Gallagher (for J Gallagher, 57), Tiernan Cooney (for McCarthy, 59).
Eastern Gaels; Ronan Forde; Tony Alyward, Micheal Finnegan, Darren Concannon; Charlie Johnstone, Jack Madden, Jarlath Concannon; Luke Mannion, Dean McGarry; Ryan Keadin, Nathan Hession, Shane Glynn; Senan Guilfoyle, Michael McGarry, Evan Godfrey. Subs; Ethan Owens (for McGarry, 35), Brian Kelly (for Godfrey, 54).
Ref; Padraig Doherty
