The Neale 3-12 Mayo Gaels 3-9
Our junior team narrowly lost an entertaining game against The Neale in Cong on Sunday morning. A purple patch from the home side in the third quarter in which they hit 1-6 proved the difference. The started brightest with a point from play after three minutes. The Gaels dominated the next ten minutes and were rewarded with points from play by Alan Prendergast, James McGing and David Wilson. Eammon Malee coolly slotted a goal after twelve minutes after good work by Stephen Murphy and PJ Larkin to leave the Gaels 0-1 to 1-3 clear. The home side came storming back into the game with two goals in five minutes to leave them one clear. A clever quick fifty by Stephen Murphy resulted in a point by PJ Larkin to level matters. The sides swapped four points for the remainder of half with the Gaels scores coming courtesy of two Murphy frees after fouls on Wilson and Larkin. This left the halftime score 2-3 to 1-6.
The Neale totally dominated the third quarter and kicked 1-5 with out reply to put them in a commanding position leading by eight points 3-8 to 1-6. The Gaels were rewarded a penalty after a foul on Stephen Murphy but the same player drilled it wide. He made some what amends just after with a point from play. The Neale stretched their lead with another three points. To their credit the Gaels didn’t throw in the towel and battled back into the game with Joe Walsh dominating at midfield. Substitute Dermot Flaherty put through PJ Larkin but his shot was saved. The alert James McGing was quickest to react and finished to the net. The relocated Jonathan Morrin kicked a fine point from play to keep the revival going. The same player then battled hard to setup Dermot Flaherty who fired low to the back of the net to leave three between the teams 3-11 to 3-8. The Neale steadied the ship with a point from play to leave them four clear. The Gaels pressed and a quick free resulted in a point from play by Alan Prendergast. The Gaels pushed for a life saving goal but time ran out leaving The Neale winners 3-12 to 3-9. The juniors are in action again next Sunday at home to Shrule/Glencorrib at 12pm.
Mayo Gaels team: Jonathan Morrin (0-1), Aidan Jennings, Brian Heneghan, Keith Malee, Joe Walsh, Allyn Brett, Johm Sloyan, James McGing (1-1), Alan Prendergast (0-2), Eammon Malee (1-0), David Wilson (0-1), PJ Larkin (0-1), Stephen Murphy (0-3, 2f). Subs: Alan Morris for Eammon Malee (inj.), Dermot Flaherty (1-0) for John Sloyan (inj.).
