Gaels trip west brings victory back East
Senan Guilfoyle, right, looks to offload the ball before Achill's Calum Doolan Lynch arrives. The former Mayo minor was in inspired form for Eastern Gaels, kicking 1-7. Picture: James Osborne
Eastern Gaels remain unbeaten and have secured a home quarter-final in their 2024 championship campaign after defeating a young Achill side.
The West Mayo men will be disappointed to be facing another junior ‘B’ campaign where they will look to secure their third consecutive title. However, it was a well-deserved victory for Eastern Gaels, who never looked like they were going to lose.
The game got off to a quick start. With just three minutes on the clock, Eastern Gaels were awarded a penalty. Jack Madden was fouled within the square and Senan Guilfoyle slotted the penalty past Sean McNamara and into the back of the net.
Achill were forced to line out without stalwart centre-back Finbar Gallagher, which was a huge loss to the reigning junior ‘B’ champions.
The West Mayo side played some good football in the opening few minutes and levelled the game in the seventh minute before Brian Lavelle raised Achill’s own green flag after an outside of the boot shot ended up in the top corner of the net. The difference in the first half was that Eastern Gaels built off the momentum of the goal, while Achill did not, as the men from Brickens kicked six successive points.
Former Mayo minor Guilfoyle led the way with four impressive points while Nathan Hession and Darren Concannon kicked one each. Achill on the other hand, could not seem to find the target. The West Mayo men had plenty of possession but were unable to convert a single point in the opening period as Eastern Gaels led at the interval 1-6 to 1-0.
The Division 3 League champions continued their impressive performance in the second period, playing patient football to find the best scoring position. By the 38th minute, Eastern Gaels had increased the gap to ten after Senan Guilfoyle, Nathan Hession, David Smith, and Evan Godfrey all pointed. With the large advantage, Eastern Gaels appeared to become slightly complacent and in the 40th minute, Achill scored their first point of the game through Peter Gallagher.
Eight minutes later Gallagher was shown a straight red card for an off the ball challenge, which will likely mean that he will miss the Junior ‘B’ quarter-finals stage. Despite being reduced to 14 men, Achill pushed on and managed to score five points in the dying minutes of the game through James O’Hara, Brian Lavelle (two), Michael Sweeney and Ethan McDonald. It was too late for any kind of miracle comeback for the boys from West Mayo, as Eastern Gaels kept the scoreboard ticking over, including two more points from Guilfoyle, who finished the game with 1-7.
Eastern Gaels will now head into the quarter finals undefeated and will be hoping to progress further than their semi-final from last year.
