Castleisland Desmonds GAA Club’s Junior men’s team brought another county title to Castleisland on Friday night by winning the Division 2 County League title by defeating Ballydonoghue in Finuge on a scoreline of: 3-14 to 2-14.
Report: Gerdie Murphy
Desmonds were in front at half time thanks to goals from the boots of Graham O’Connor and Tadgh Walsh. There were also some great scores from play from Seán Lynch and Cian O’Connor.
The impressive Graham O’Connor added two more points also from play and this was to see Desmonds go in at half time leading by 2-07 to 0-6.
Evergreen Defenders
The half time score was also helped by the great work of evergreen defenders, Neilus Lyons and Pierce Cronin. They turned back the clock to keep the Ballydonoghue forwards quiet throughout the opening half.
In the second half we saw the appearance of a different Ballydonoghue side. They now had a strong wind at their backs and they upped their game with a very impressive 1-06 from play. Now it looked like it was not going to be Desmonds night after all.
Impressive Captain
Stout defending by David Lynch, Mike Brosnan and the impressive captain, Gearoid Leonard added to the great, overall team work.
Desmonds midfielders, Joe Kearney and Brian Leonard were playing like it was an All-Ireland final. The game was on a knife-edge and with eight minutes left and the scores were locked at 2-10 to 1-13.
Some inspired substitutions by the team management resulted in scores from Shane O’Connell, Steven Bartlett and the O’Connor brothers, Cian and Graham. This patch settled Desmonds.
Well Worked Goal
Then, Luke Lyons playing from centre back scored a well worked goal from play to put this game beyone the reach of Ballydonoghue. This was in spite of them being awarded and scoring a penalty in as time ran out. Desmonds held out to win by three points.
Desmonds team and scorers: Kevin Moran, Pierce Cronin, Nelius Lyons, David Lynch, Mike Brosnan, Luke Lyons, 1-0; Gearoid Leonard, Captain; Brian Leonard, 0-2; Joe Kearney, 0-1; Seán Lynch, Steven Bartlett, 0-3; Tadgh Walsh, 1-0; Cian O’Connor, 0-2; Marc O’Connor, Graham O’Connor, 1-04; Subs: Shane O’Connell, 0-1; Danny Browne, John Kelly, Shane McLoughlin, Chris Brosnan and John Begley. Team management: Edmund Hartnett, Niall O’Connor and Colm O’Shea.
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