Mayo Gaels 0-18 Carramore 2-10
Our intermediate team got their forth league win on the trot at a splendid looking and sun soaked Abbey Park overcoming Carramore in a high scoring game on Saturday evening. The final score line was 0-18 to 2-10. But the win came at a price with Joe Walsh and Jason Hurst both receiving serious injuries.
The Gaels got off to a bright start with a well hit fifty from corner forward Niall Brett but Carramore struck for their first goal when waltzing through the Gaels defence. The Gaels responded well to level with two points from play from Damien Quinn and Danny Burke. Once more Carramore easily made their way through the Gaels defence for another goal to put them three clear. Again the Gaels responded well to the goal with two pointed frees from Danny Burke and Damien Quinn to leave the score 0-5 to 2-0 after the first quarter.
Carramore were now dominating at midfield and got the next two points from play to push them three clear. Danny Burke eased the pressure with a fine point from play but Carramore responded with another point from play. The Gaels finished the half strongly with two points from play, a great attacking point from Adrian Heneghan and another good score from Damien Quinn to leave the half time score 0-8 to 2-3.
The second half began with the Gaels levelling the game through a Mally Byrne point from play but Carramore regained the lead from a soft free. With John Nally taking over at midfield the Gaels hit a purple patch and kicked the next four points from play by Jonathan Morrin, two in a row from Danny Burke and Damien Quinn. To leave the Gaels three points to the good. But some simple mistakes allowed Carramore back into the game with three points from play and another from a free to leave them one up entering the last quarter, 0-13 to 2-8. But the Gaels showed their fighting spirit through three superb points from play from the classy Mally Byrne, one of the points was directly from a fine catch over the crossbar by young goalie Paul Mannion. Danny Burke added another point from play and a fine effort from play by Jonathan Morrin to push the Gaels four points clear entering the last few minutes. Carramore pressed forward in search of a goal but all they could manage was two points from play to leave the final score 0-18 to 2-10 in favour of the home side.
The Gaels were best served by Anthony Byrne, John Nally, Danny Burke and Mally Byrne. With fifteen points from play this win sets them up for their championship game with Killcommon next Sunday. The club wish injury victims Joe Walsh and Jason Hurst a speedy recovery.
Mayo Gaels team: Paul Mannion, Jonathan Walsh, Jason Hurst, Alyan Brett, Anthony Byrne, Adrian Heneghan (0-1), Noel Quinn, Joe Walsh, John Nally, Mally Byrne (0-4), James Fallon, Jonathan Morrin (0-2), Damien Quinn (0-4, 1f), Danny Burke (0-6, 1f), Niall Brett (0-1, 1 50). Subs: Dermot Browne for Jason Hurst (inj), Vinnie Moran for Joe Walsh (inj), Joe Gilroy for Niall Brett.