Coolaney/Mullinabreena GAA PRO Notes

Coolaney/Mullinabreena GAA Notes May 25^th

www.coolaneymullinabreena.com

Intermediate:

Our intermediate side lost out to St. Molaise Gaels in Grange last Saturday evening on a score line of 2.09 to 1.09. After a promising opening half, when leading by seven points at one stage, our side seemed to capitulate in the second period and were out fought throughout the field. This leaves the team perilously close to the bottom of the division with seven games remaining.

Team: F Brennan, S Gorman, B Coleman, W Kivlehan, C Connolly, S Marren, A Walsh, R Gallagher, P McHugh, M Conlon, D Doherty, T Sexton, A Duggan, K Finan, O Lee. Subs: S O’Brien for A Duggan, A McGowan for T Sexton, J Connolly, C Gorman, M Healy.

Well done to minor player, Sean Gorman, who made his senior debut on Saturday and acquitted himself very well in this game. We play St. Michaels in a back game on Tuesday May 26^th in Nace O’Dowd Park at 8pm. We are fixed to play Cloonacool away on bank holiday Monday June 1^st at 2pm.

U-16:

Our U-16 side defeated Drumcliffe in the league semi final on Wednesday evening last in Oxfield, Carney. Coolaney/Mullinabreena were forced to concede home advantage on this occasion as the pitch at Nace O’Dowd park was unplayable due to recent rain. Despite this, our lads attained victory in an enthralling football match, winning by the narrowest of margins on a score line of 3.10 to 2.12.

This win set up a showdown in the final with Dromard side St. Pats which was played in St. John’s pitch, Carrowroe on Sunday last. Coolaney/Mullinabreena lined out against a stiff breeze in the opening period. St. Pats opened the scoring with a good point from distance. However C/M soon gained the initiative and found the net through Colin Marren after a rebound. Cristeoir Davey added three points with two from frees after good work again from Colin Marren. St. Pats however kept in this game with four points before the break. Declan McCormack goaled for C/M just before half tome to leave it 2.03 to 0.5 at the interval. St .Pats had the ideal start to the second half with a goal and a point almost immediately to level this exciting game. C/M however dominated the next fifteen minutes or so and went four ahead with two each from midfielder Raymond Connolly and centre forward Cristeoir Davey. St. Pats responded again with another goal and point to level once more. The sides traded points before the game’s crucial score arrived with five minutes left on the clock. A speculative shot from St. Pats was well saved by gaolie Eoin McDonagh but was despatched to the net on the rebound despite obvious pleas of square ball. With the clock ticking, C/M admirably notched two further points but agonisingly, were just a single score in arrears at the final whistle. Final Score: C/M: 2.10 St Pats 3.08. Well done to St. Pats on winning this brilliant encounter and credit to both side for a fine display of football devoid of any cynical play. C/M may fell that they left this one behind but it was St. Pats ability to find the critical scores against the run of play that seemed decisive in the end. They will however learn from this and now look forward to the championship later in the summer. Well done to all the players and their coaches, Loe Coleman and Colin Connolly. Team: E McDonagh, E Burke, A Coleman, J Henry, J Henry, S Wimms, R Connolly(0.2), D McCormack(1.02), P Gorman, C Davey(0.6), F Gallagher, D Coleman, C Marren(1.0). Subs: B Kennedy for D Coleman, Stephen Barrett, Brendan Doddy, Keelan Gannon, Kieran Gannon, Christopher Lee, Michael Mulvey and Cian O’Dowd.

Schools Competition:

In conjunction with the GAA’s 125 celebration and the school’s day which was held on April 24^th, the club has organised an art competition for both Achonry NS and Rockfield NS. It is open to third class through to sixth class and has a GAA theme. Prizes will be awarded to winners in the different groups. This is in recognition of the sterling work carried out by teachers and all coaches in our schools throughout the years. It is hoped to forge a stronger link between the schools and the club into the future.

Notes:

Any notes for this column can be forwarded to ollielee@hotmail.com or alternatively contact 0877981827. Deadline is 9pm on Sundays.