Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher squeezed out in second half

Owenmore Gaels’ footballers are into the AIB Connacht GAA Club Junior Football final after victory over Glenfarne Kiltyclogher in Bekan last Sunday.

Gary Mullen’s side will face Lahardane MacHale’s in the decider, the Mayo outfit defeating Menlough 5-3 on penalties after the sides couldn’t be separated after extra-time.

The Sligo Junior champions were given a big test by the Leitrim runners-up, who led at the interval in a blustery Bekan. There was a sizeable support for Owenmore Gaels in the Connacht Centre of Excellence, with the game being switched from Carrick-on-Shannon following a pitch inspection on Saturday.

Aaron Mullen was sensational for the Sligo side, hitting eight frees during the hour, with Sligo U20 footballer Dillon Walsh causing their opponents plenty of bother in the second half as Owenmore Gaels took control of the game.
However, it was anything but plain sailing particularly in the opening half, with Tom O’Reilly’s side playing with the aid of the breeze.

The Leitrim side led by three points at the break, the excellent Patrick Gilgunn hitting the net on ten minutes, earlier on seven minutes in teammate Padraig Sweeney saw his goalbound effort brush off and over the crossbar.

Joint captain Conor Davey got the Sligo side off the mark on 2 minutes through a free after the lively Stephen Fallon saw his effort drop into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Sligo intercounty player Mark Walsh saw his goal chance saved on five minutes as Glenfarne Kiltyclogher captain Fergal Clancy, impressive throughout, sent over a free after Neville McDermott was fouled.

They overturned possession and Sweeney was bounding towards goal, his effort bouncing over the crossbar.

A foul on Ronan Sweeney saw Mullen hit his first of eight on nine minutes with Kyle Mullen then moments later setting up Dillon Walsh who sent over a good point as Owenmore Gaels took the lead.

It was shortlived however as Glenfarne Kiltyclogher came racing up the field, possession falling to Gilgunn who blasted into the net.

Owenmore Gaels responded and it was Garrett Lavin who did well to overturn possession finding Ryan Quigley who passed to Kyle Mullen who sent over a good score.

It was level midway through the half with Dillon Walsh finding Jamie Callaghan who added Owenmore Gaels fifth point.

Two minutes later, the Leitrim side edged in front again, good work from Niall Clancy linking up with Sweeney.

A good effort from a placed ball saw Gilgunn putting them two in front on 19 minutes playing with the breeze. Another free in saw Clancy’s effort just drop short.

A free in for Owenmore Gaels saw Mullen’s effort sweeping to the right and wide, however referee Ian Monaghan gave a free in as Fallon was adjudged to have been fouled, an easy tap over for Mullen .

The excellent Clancy sent a fantastic ball into Clancy who sent over a brilliant point on 25 minutes as it was end to end stuff in front of a good crowd.

A good run from Fallon saw Ronan Sweeney with a point attempt seeing the effort drift wide, down the other end the influential Gilgunn got the last score of the half for the Leitrim side, which seen them in front by three, 1-6 to 0-6.

Glenfarne Kiltyclogher started the second half well, Clancy winning a free in which Gilgunn mishit and it was the same two players involved in their next score.

Good work from Clancy to find Gilgunn with a goal chance on and the ball went over the bar as their lead increased to four.

Dillon Walsh did well to win a turnover and a free in which Mullen duly sent over on 37 minutes. Again it was Walsh again who was fouled with Mullen on target as two points separated them on 43 minutes.

A push on Lavin saw Mullen again on target with the free as the Leitrim lead was being chipped away. Owenmore Gaels were showing more composure and Fallon did well to overturn and win a free, Mullen sending over a huge score to the delight of their support as it was back level.

Jamie Callaghan did well to win another free in for the Sligo side, Mullen again showing composure to give Owenmore Gaels the lead on 51 minutes.

A foul on Glenfarne Kiltyclogher’s Sweeney was quickly taken and Clancy was then fouled with Gilgunn slotting over as it was back level again on 53 minutes.

Quigley won a free down the other end for Owenmore Gaels on 55 minutes, who else but Mullen converting. Niall Clancy winning a free for Glenfarne Kiltyclogher which Fergal Clancy sent wide.

The point of the game arrived then from Mark Walsh of Owenmore Gaels from an acute angle. Jamie Callaghan overturned and won a free in with the ball then being recycled and a dangerous ball fell straight into the path of Niall Clancy who could have went for goal, a let off as Owenmore Gaels managed to defend.

Fallon was unlucky to see his attempt hit off the post and out wide with Davey then showing great leadership to score

Owenmore Gaels’ 14th point deep into injury time as Glenfarne Kiltyclogher were trying to find the goal they needed but it was Owenmore Gaels who held on and will face Lahardane MacHales in the decider.

OWENMORE GAELS
Shaun O’Boyle, Roan Conneely (JC), Liam Gilligan, Mark Anderson, Kyle Mullen (0-1), Jamie Callaghan (0-1), Ryan Quigley, Aaron Walsh, Mark Walsh (0-1), Stephen Fallon, Aaron Mullen (0-8 8f), Dillon Walsh (0-1), Garrett Lavin, Ronan Sweeney, Conor Davey (JC) (0-2),
Substitutes used; Daire Callaghan for R Sweeney (37), Aaron Jones for Lavin (52).

GLENFARNE / KILTYCLOGHER
Stephen McPartland, Barry McDermott, Robbie Broughton, John McLoughlin, Cathal Cullen, Brian Fox, Dermot Harkin, Niall Clancy, Cian Rock, Neville McDermott, Fergal Clancy (C) (0-2 1f), Padraig Sweeney (0-2), Patrick Gilgunn (1-4 2f), Diarmuid Clancy, Hugh Clancy.
Substitutes used; Francis Keaney for McDermott (38), Darren Murray for Hugh Clancy (45),

REFEREE
Ian Monaghan (Roscommon)