Intermediate team make quarter finals Mayo Gaels 1-10 Louisburgh 0-10
The first half was one to forget for the Gaels who played against the breeze and were second to every ball. Louisburgh were totally dominant in every sector of the field and they picked off scores at will hitting nine points without reply including three great frees by centre forward Jarlath O’Malley. Truth be told they should have been much further ahead as they missed a number of easy point chances and the Gaels had goalkeeper Paul Mannion to thank who pulled off a fine save midway through the half. He also showed maturity beyond his years in slowing down kick outs to stop the Louisburgh rampage. The Gaels never threatened the Louisburgh goal and the half time score was an embarrassing 0-9 to 0-0 at half time.
What ever was said in the dressing room at halftime should be bottled for future use as the Gaels emerged a different team showing the heart and commitment that was so absent in the lifeless first half performance. They gave the large Gaels travelling support something to cheer about with a point from play from Johnny Morrin and a fine free by Mallie Byrne. Despite dominating the Gaels missed two scorable frees and Louisburgh hit back with their only score of the half with another free by Jarlath O’Malley. Johnny Morrin took over the free taking duties and kicked a great free from the wing. The decisive score of the game came eleven minutes into the half when a great run and centre by Danny Burke caused havoc in the Louisburgh goalmouth and the alert Johnny Morrin finished coolly to the net.
The Gaels were now winning all the breaks and making the vital interceptions and clearly had Louisburgh rattled. They pushed there dominance home with three points, a Johnny Morrin point from play, a Mallie Byrne free and a Danny Burke effort from play to leave the minimum between the sides, 0-10 to 1-6. The Gaels defence repelled the odd Louisburgh attack with some fine defending from Anthony Byrne, Brian Adams and the two Walsh lads.
Another fine Mallie Byrne free levelled the game with seven minutes remaining. The Gaels then hit the front for the first time with a wonderful free by Johnny Morrin from under the stand. There were a few anxious moments when one umpire signalled a point and the other signalled wide despite all present agreeing that it was clearly a score. Referee Charlie Collins correctly ruled that it was a score. Another Mallie Byrne free put the Gaels two ahead with time almost up. Louisburgh made three forays up field in search of the goal that would send them through but the Gaels defence was not to be breached. The hard working Niall Brett kicked a great score four minutes into injury time to push the Gaels three in front. Again the home team pushed forward in search of a goal but the Gaels lads stood firm and after six minutes of injury time the referee finally blew the whistle leaving the final score Louisburgh 0-10 Mayo Gaels 1-10.
It was an anxious wait for the score of the Kilmeena V Cill Chomain game to come through to confirm that our quarter final berth was secured. We will now face a quarter final against Kilmaine,
