Gallan through to Leinster semi-final at the expense of Mountmellick

An outstanding second-half performance from Gallen Community School, Ferbane has seen them through to the North Leinster Post-Primary Schools Junior Football ‘D’ Semi Final at the expense of Mountmellick Community school. Two goals from Ruairi Woods – one in each half – proved to be the difference as the Offaly school took the game by six points. 

There was a long delay before throw in, leaving Mountmellick on the field warming up for over an hour before Gallen even arrived in Acragar.  

North Leinster PP Schools Junior Football D Quarter Final

Gallen Community School, Ferbane 2-11

Mountmellick Community School 0-11

Corey Holohan-Lalor opened the scoring for the hosts before Woods drew the sides level. Holohan-Lalor had a huge goal-chance in the 6th minute but Gallen keeper, Eoin Coughlan was equal to the strike.

Niall Lawlor and Tom O'Connell gave Mountmellick a two-point cushion, the latter finishing off a well worked, team score, all started by Padraig Strong. Gavin Egan pulled one back for Gallen before Rory Dunican levelled the tie in the 17th minute.

It was a lively start from both sides but Mountmellick hit a purple patch after 20 minutes, slotting over three points from Holohan Lalor, O’Connell, and Robbie McEvoy. McEvoy was one of several Mountmellick players who stood out in the first half along with Strong, Lawlor and Aidan Byrne. 

But Gallen returned fire just before half time. Woods found himself in acres of space in front of goal in the 29th minute and calmly put the ball beyond Ray Lalor. Substitute, Alex O’Conner raised a white flag right after to put the visitors in front. Having dominated most of the first half, creating the better chances and looking the better team, Mountmellick will have been devastated to go in a point down at the break. 

Holohan Lalor opened the scoring in the second half with a well-struck free before Gallen captain, Lee Moore responded in kind. The sides traded scores again soon afterwards to make it 1-6 to 0-8. 

But Woods got his second goal in the 40th minute, rattling the Mountmellick net. Gallen were playing serious football at this stage and added two more points through Dunican and Jake Maher. Six points the difference with 15 minutes to play. 

McEvoy hit back for Mountmellick but Gallen added three points in five minutes to put the game beyond the home side. Mountmellick raised two white flags at the end but it is Gallan who advance to the next round. 

SCORERS - Gallen: Ruairi Woods 2-1, Rory Dunican and Alex O’Connor 0-2 each, Jake Maher, Eamon Maher, Aidan Jordan, Gavin Egan, Daniel Kelly 0-1 each, Lee Moore 0-1 (free). Mountmellick: Holohan Lalor 0-4 (four frees), Tom O’Connell and Robbie McEvoy 0-2 each, Niall Lawlor and Rory Grehan 0-1 each, Oisin Hayden 0-1 (free). 

MOUNTMELLICK CS: Ray Lalor (St Paul's); Padraig Strong (The Rock), Ben O'Keefe (Kilcavan), Eoin Rooney (The Rock); Evan Bennett (Rosenallis), Oran Gorman (Rosenallis), Alan Byrne (Mountmellick); Rory Grehan (Na Fianna), Robbie McEvoy (Mountmellick); Oisin Hayde (Mountmellick), Niall Lawlor (Kilcavan), Cillian Masterson (Portlaoise); Eoin Daly (Kilcavan), Tom O'Connell (Mountmellick), Corey Holohan Lalor (Mountmellick). Subs: Oran Kempster (Rosenallis) for Bennett (HT), Niall Conroy (Rosenallis) for Daly (31 mins), Michael Sharp (Rosenallis) for Masterson (33 mins), Michael Hyland (Kilcavan) for Rooney (51 mins).