Intermediate team continue good league form. Mayo Gaels 0-14 Knockmore B 1-10
Another day out for the Intermediate side where a gale force wind played a crucial part in both halves of the game, at home to Knockmore B on Saturday evening.
The Gael’s started the brighter when a 45’ courtesy of Johnny Morrin was played short to the running Danny Burke, who turned on his side and quickly shot the ball over the bar. Kevin Lynch wasn’t going to let his side stop there and put his name on the score sheet with a well taken point from play. Knockmore were slow to get their first point of the day, which came from a free on the 10th minute of the half. Danny Burke pointed again for the Gaels with a free effort. Knockmore responded with another free followed by a great point from Johnny Griffin on the 17th minute. Good play between the forwards saw Johnny Griffin off lay to the lively Danny Burke who slotted over a well taken point from play. The Gaels conquered on with point after point coming from Shane Vahey, another Danny Burke point from play and a point courtesy of the young Kevin Lynch. Knockmore pointed again on the 25th minute of the half to leave five between the sides. The breeze played a crucial role in the next score with Danny Burke’s point from play just making it over the bar after the strong breeze took it with it. Knockmore added one more to their tally on the stroke of half-time to leave a score line of Mayo Gaels 0-9 Knockmore B 0-4 as the sides headed for the dressing rooms.
The second half was a lively affair. Knockmore with the wind at their backs were making full use of it with their first score of the half coming after five minutes. They didn’t stop there, with four more points (1 free, 1 45’) added on to their tally, the sides were level. Mally Byrne stepped up to the mark with the Gaels first score of the half coming after 15 minutes, courtesy of Byrne’s free. Knockmore powered on and produced another point from play. It was tit-for-tat at this stage, and the crowd were on their feet. Hard work in the heart of the Gaels defence saw Mally Byrne win possession some 40 metres out and his battle with the Knockmore defence saw him produce a fine point from play raising the home supporters cheer. Knockmore weren’t put off by this and their surge up through the centre of the field wasn’t just for the run, and saw them rattle the back of the Gaels net with a goal on the 21st minute of the half. The Gaels didn’t allow the heads to drop, and great work by the forwards saw Mally Byrne on the end of a vital free, and placing it on the carpet he coolly slotted it over the bar with his renowned left foot. Johnny Griffin wasn’t happy to leave it there, and his point from play brought the sides level again and the home crowd were once again making themselves known. It was tense at this stage and the Gaels were desperately seeking the 2 points on offer. When Mally Byrne’s free on the right hand side just fell wide we thought it was all over, but Danny Burke had other ideas. The direct ball from the Gael’s defence found Johnny Griffin who laid it off to the waiting Danny Burke and allowed the ball to glide over the black spot, and be greeted by the loudest roar of the game from the crowd, and left a score line of 0-14 1-13 come the full time whistle.
In a battling performance the Gaels produced an all round team performance with Adrian Heneghan and Danny Burke keeping the show going at either end of the field for the Intermediate side. Let’s hope the side keeps on form in their next outing away to Kilmeena next weekend.
Mayo Gaels Team: Paul Mannion, Allyn Brett, Anthony Byrne, Noel Morris, Martin Connor, Adrian Heneghan, John Sloyan, Johnny Morrin, Sean Boyle, Kevin Lynch (0-2), Shane Vahey (0-1), Neil McGurrin, Mally Byrne (0-3, 2f), Johnny Griffin (0-2) and Danny Burke (0-6, 1f). Subs: Noel Quinn for John Sloyan.
The Gael’s started the brighter when a 45’ courtesy of Johnny Morrin was played short to the running Danny Burke, who turned on his side and quickly shot the ball over the bar. Kevin Lynch wasn’t going to let his side stop there and put his name on the score sheet with a well taken point from play. Knockmore were slow to get their first point of the day, which came from a free on the 10th minute of the half. Danny Burke pointed again for the Gaels with a free effort. Knockmore responded with another free followed by a great point from Johnny Griffin on the 17th minute. Good play between the forwards saw Johnny Griffin off lay to the lively Danny Burke who slotted over a well taken point from play. The Gaels conquered on with point after point coming from Shane Vahey, another Danny Burke point from play and a point courtesy of the young Kevin Lynch. Knockmore pointed again on the 25th minute of the half to leave five between the sides. The breeze played a crucial role in the next score with Danny Burke’s point from play just making it over the bar after the strong breeze took it with it. Knockmore added one more to their tally on the stroke of half-time to leave a score line of Mayo Gaels 0-9 Knockmore B 0-4 as the sides headed for the dressing rooms.
The second half was a lively affair. Knockmore with the wind at their backs were making full use of it with their first score of the half coming after five minutes. They didn’t stop there, with four more points (1 free, 1 45’) added on to their tally, the sides were level. Mally Byrne stepped up to the mark with the Gaels first score of the half coming after 15 minutes, courtesy of Byrne’s free. Knockmore powered on and produced another point from play. It was tit-for-tat at this stage, and the crowd were on their feet. Hard work in the heart of the Gaels defence saw Mally Byrne win possession some 40 metres out and his battle with the Knockmore defence saw him produce a fine point from play raising the home supporters cheer. Knockmore weren’t put off by this and their surge up through the centre of the field wasn’t just for the run, and saw them rattle the back of the Gaels net with a goal on the 21st minute of the half. The Gaels didn’t allow the heads to drop, and great work by the forwards saw Mally Byrne on the end of a vital free, and placing it on the carpet he coolly slotted it over the bar with his renowned left foot. Johnny Griffin wasn’t happy to leave it there, and his point from play brought the sides level again and the home crowd were once again making themselves known. It was tense at this stage and the Gaels were desperately seeking the 2 points on offer. When Mally Byrne’s free on the right hand side just fell wide we thought it was all over, but Danny Burke had other ideas. The direct ball from the Gael’s defence found Johnny Griffin who laid it off to the waiting Danny Burke and allowed the ball to glide over the black spot, and be greeted by the loudest roar of the game from the crowd, and left a score line of 0-14 1-13 come the full time whistle.
In a battling performance the Gaels produced an all round team performance with Adrian Heneghan and Danny Burke keeping the show going at either end of the field for the Intermediate side. Let’s hope the side keeps on form in their next outing away to Kilmeena next weekend.
Mayo Gaels Team: Paul Mannion, Allyn Brett, Anthony Byrne, Noel Morris, Martin Connor, Adrian Heneghan, John Sloyan, Johnny Morrin, Sean Boyle, Kevin Lynch (0-2), Shane Vahey (0-1), Neil McGurrin, Mally Byrne (0-3, 2f), Johnny Griffin (0-2) and Danny Burke (0-6, 1f). Subs: Noel Quinn for John Sloyan.
