Gallen CS pull away in extra time to claim place in All-Ireland final

GALLEN Community School advanced to the All-Ireland final on Saturday afternoon after a gripping All Ireland semi-final played in the superb Fethard Town Park Ground. They needed extra time to overcome their Waterford opponents and advance to the All-Ireland Final on next Saturday week.

Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior 'D' Football semi-final

GALLEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL FERBANE 3-17

DUNGARVAN CBS 3-11 (AET)

Gallen played a very attractive brand of football throughout the game and attacked at every opportunity. This attacking style resulted in all starting six forwards scoring from play by the 21st minute. Colm Egan and Luke Kelly were particularly dangerous combining for 3-6 from play between them over the course of the game.

Gallen were also well served by a strong set of backs including the excellent Jake Maher, Eamon Maher and James Wren.

Gallen opened up a 0-4 to 0-0 lead early in the game through Luke Kelly, Lee Moore, Brian Carroll and Colm Egan before Dungarvan CBS got off the mark in the 13th minute when Cillian Ryan’s shot on goal was blocked before Mark Power was in the right place to finish the ball to the net. Dungarvan followed this up quickly with a point from play by Billy O’Connell, his first of an excellent 0-7 (0-2 frees) tally and after all of Gallen’s first quarter dominance, the teams were level at 1-1 to 0-4.

Brian Carroll replied with two points bringing his tally to 0-3 and along with scores from Eoghan Grennan, Colm Egan and Luke Kelly had Gallen ahead at the break.

Dungarvan CBS started the second half in a positive manner and two points by Paddy McCarthy and Billy O’Connell tightened up the match to 0-9 to 1-4. Gallen midfielder Conor Grennan and wing back Luke Fitzgerald replied with two scores to enhance the lead for their team. At this point Dungarvan were awarded their first penalty which Cillian Ryan converted, and two quick Paddy McCarthy points had the Waterford side 2-7 to 0-12 ahead despite appearing to be second best.

Colm Egan then took centre stage for Gallen scoring 1-2 to fire his team in to a 1-14 to 2-7 lead. However, Dungarvan refused to accept defeat and a Billy O Connell point followed by a second penalty goal by Cillian Ryan sent the game to extra time on a score of 3-8 to 1-14. Gallen were particularly aggrieved by the very soft nature of the second penalty decision.

The first half of extra time was a very tight affair with the Waterford team turning with a one point lead. However, Gallen Community School took complete control of the game in the second period of extra time with Luke Kelly claiming two goals in addition to lovely point taking by Senan Hanniffy and Ruairi Woods. This period of the match was noteworthy also for the execution of several full-length blocks by Brian Carroll, Jake Maher and James Wren.

Gallen Community School now move on to contest the All-Ireland Final against Scoil Mhuire Buncrana in two weeks’ time under the dedicated management team of Joe Maher, Richard Fox and Barry O’Rorke.

Scorers

Gallen CS ; Colm Egan (1-5), Luke Kelly (2-1), Brian Carroll (0-3), Senan Hanniffy and Ruairi Woods (0-2 each), Lee Moore, Eoghan Grennan, Conor Grennan and Luke Fitzgerald (0-1 each).

Dungarvan CBS : Billy O Connell (0-7, 0-2 frees), Cillian Ryan (2-0, 2 penalties), Paddy McCarthy (0-4), Mark Power (1-0).

Teams

GALLEN CS FERBANE: Eoin Coughlan; Brandon Delaney, Darragh Mannion, Jake Maher; Luke Fitzgerald, Eamon Maher, James Wren, Conor Grennan, Michael Spillane; Colm Egan, Lee Moore, Eoghan Grennan, Brian Carroll, Senan Hanniffy, Luke Kelly

DUNGARVAN CBS : Conor Moore; Cian Moore, Jack Power, Robbie Wall; David Nyhan, Cillian Ryan, Jack Prendergast; Billy O Connell, Cormac Deevey; Mark Power, David Butler, Paddy McCarthy; Ian Holmes, Tommy Flynn, Luke Power.

REFEREE: Tadgh Lonergan (Tipperary).