Garry’ overcome Gibbons blow to extend winning run
A flying Garrymore goalkeeper Brian Lynskey is unable to stop Diarmuid O’Connor from finding the net for a second time for Ballintubber, however, it was the home side who claimed the two points on offer. Picture: Tom Quinn
A significant resurgence in form and results continued for Garrymore as they made it four wins in four to move just one point off the summit in Division 1B. The side’s opening two league defeats to Burrishoole and Crossmolina in early April now feel completely forgotten about and with just two games remaining, against Mayo Gaels and Moy Davitts, top spot in the standings is becoming a clear possibility – a remarkable turnaround in such a short period of time for the South Mayo club.
It must be outlined, they left this one late, very late in fact, to eventually beat Ballintubber. Indeed the visitors had led by one point with just two minutes remaining before Darren Quinn stepped up yet again to deliver when it really mattered. The Garda kicked two late two-pointers from out on the stand side of the pitch within ninety seconds of each other, giving Garrymore the win and leaving Ballintubber totally bewildered at how they had come away with nothing.
Cloudy and overcast conditions had greeted both sides for what was an evenly balanced first-half. Both sides shared the opening four points, Darren Quinn a free and Mark Gibbons from play for Garrymore while David McHale and Diarmuid O’Connor, from a free, did likewise for Ballintubber, who had Cillian O’Connor unavailable for selection. His colleagues powered on however, and Josh Mahon would have goaled midway through the opening half only for Brian Lynskey to pull off a point blank save.
Then came another, more worrying sign for Garrymore as star forward Mark Gibbons, who had kicked 1-8 in his side's previous game against Claremorris, had to be carried off the field with what appeared a nasty ankle injury. He was replaced by Aaron Hughes.
Both of the first-half goals came in the final six minutes of the half. Trevor Nally again showed that age is just a number as he struck home a beautiful finish to the far corner of Brendan Walsh’s net but the visitors replied just before the half-time whistle, as Diarmuid O’Connor rifled home a penalty. A free had been awarded to Michael Plunkett just outside the large rectangle, but because he was not allowed the space to take it, referee Declan Hughes brought forward the ball and upgraded the award to a penalty. Despite converting it, Ballintubber still trailed 1-5 to 1-4 at the break.
The opening ten minutes of the second-half saw Garrymore increase their lead to three with the ever hardworking Cathal Slattery being rewarded with a point from play and Darren Quinn added another free before lightning struck twice as Diarmuid O’Connor hit a bullet to the net past Brian Lynskey to draw Ballintubber level, 2-4 to 1-7. The game was nip-and-tuck from hereon with the visitors just outscoring the home side 0-4 to 0-3 to lead by one heading into the last eight minutes.
Garrymore’s Shane Nally hit over a superb two-pointer and Cathal Slattery got his second point of the half, one which his work-rate alone fully deserved, while at the other end, Ciaran Gavin, two, and Diarmuid O’Connor kicked frees while Noel Geraghty added a point from play to leave their side one up.
Garrymore introduced Caolan Crowe and youngster Adam Gallagher at this point but it was left to another rising star in Eoin McGreal from Ballyglass to draw the sides level with his first point of the evening. When Ballintubber retook the lead through Josh Mahon however, with three minutes remaining, it looked to be enough for victory. But cometh the hour, cometh the man and Darren Quinn delivered back-to-back two-pointers right at the death to turn a one-point deficit into a three-point win.
Garrymore sit just one point off the top of the Division 1B table. They improved as Saturday’s game went on and with players such as brothers Shane and Trevor Nally, Kenneth Lydon, Darren Quinn and especially Cathal Slattery, all looking to be hitting form and setting a tempo at just the right time of year, an exciting summer and autumn might just lay ahead.
Scorers – Garrymore: Darren Quinn 0-2-4 (2f), Trevor Nally 1-0-0, Shane Nally 0-1-0, Cathal Slattery 0-0-2, Mark Gibbons, Liam Horkan and Eoin McGreal 0-0-1 each.
Ballintubber: Diarmuid O’Connor 2-0-2 (1-0pen, 2f), Michael Plunkett 0-1-0, Ciaran Gavin 0-0-2f, David McHale, Noel Geraghty and Josh Mahon 0-0-1 each.
Garrymore: Brian Lynskey; Conor Lydon, David Dolan, Colin Commins; Patrick Hession, Shane Nally, Kenneth Lydon; Cathal Slattery, Liam Horkan; Eoin McGreal, Gary Golden, Joseph Ferriter; Darren Quinn, Trevor Nally, Mark Gibbons. Subs: Aaron Hughes (for Gibbons 17, inj), Caolan Crowe (for Ferriter 46), Adam Gallagher (for Golden 55, inj).
Ballintubber: Brendan Walsh; Ethan Lyons, Joseph Geraghty, Jack Walsh; Michael Plunkett, Finian Bourke, Josh Mahon; Jason Gibbons, David McHale; John Kerrigan, Robbie Finnerty, Bryan Walsh; Ciaran Gavin, Diarmuid O’Connor, Noel Geraghty. Sub: Tiernan Brady (for Kerrigan 52).
REF: Declan Hughes (The Neale)
