Claregalway turn things around in second half against Bearna
AFTER taking a 13-point beating from Corofin in their opening fixture, few believed Claregalway could manufacture a path into a first senior football championship quarter-final in three years but that’s exactly what occurred in Pearse Stadium last Saturday as Claregalway recorded a 3-15 to 2-7 win over Bearna Na Forbacha.
The odds widened further when they trailed by two goals at half-time but a dominant second period from the Austin Sammon and Alan Daly managed side saw them hit their 3-15 average again, to book a meeting with Annaghdown.
This result didn’t do justice to Bearna na Forbacha’s effort who were easily the better team during the opening 30 minutes, getting goals from Donnacha Naughton and Sean Dunne, while Donnacha Forde had one disallowed. But six points never looked like a sufficient cushion when Claregalway made full use of the elements upon the restart.
Paraic Commins converted a free on three minutes for strong favourites Claregalway, but Ger Butler’s team hadn’t read the script.
An attack down the left 60 seconds later saw Naughton play a one-two with Seán Fitzgerald before striking into the net and Bearna na Forbacha stayed ahead for over 40 minutes.
Tom Curran kicked a two-point free before Forde’s major didn’t receive the advantage required following an earlier foul. Curran converted the resulting free and James Fallon fisted over on the quarter hour making it 1-4 to 0-1.
It could have been more as Claregalway’s slow approach play ran into Bearna na Forbacha cul-de-sacs and quick counter attacks. Dunne shot wide with one chance, and Jack Walsh was also denied by Galway keeper Eamon McGrath.
Claregalway needed a break and it strangely came from Jack Lonergan rattling the crossbar. The ball appeared to bounce wide, but officials felt it fell inside the posts for the point. Another opportunity resulted in a ’45 which McGrath sent over.
The deserved second Bearna na Forbacha goal came before the break. Niall Cox, back from injury, and Walsh were the providers for Dunne to finish. Owen Morgan opened his account leaving Claregalway 2-4 to 0-4 behind.
Commins and Darragh Costello traded scores upon the restart before Claregalway’s first goal came from Morgan on 38 minutes. Another McGrath ’45 reduced arrears before Costello slotted over on 43 minutes to keep Bearna na Forbacha 2-6 to 1-6 ahead. Their lead lasted four more minutes and Claregalway’s most devasting spell was about to yield 2-8.
Substitute Jack Mullen pointed and then Luc O’Connor supplied Dave Tarmey for Claregalway’s deflected second goal to go 2-7 to 2-6 in front. Lonergan landed a two-pointer and Sean Moran also registered. The game was effectively decided in the final minute when Morgan and Mullen set up Dara Whelan for the third goal making it 3-11 to 2-6.
Claregalway had time for four more points from Morgan, Moran, Mullen and McGrath, with Curran responding for Bearna na Forbacha. The west Galway side, missing Cian Hernon, were best served by Forde and Costello. McGrath, Whelan, Morgan, Jack Glynn, O’Connor, Tarmey and Lonergan were the pick of Claregalway’s starters.
Claregalway: E McGrath (0-3, 3’45); D Hughes, J Glynn, M Morrin; L O’Connor, D Whelan (1-0), R Flaherty; D Tarmey (1-0), B Connolly; P Commins (0-2, 1f), J Lonergan (0-3, 1tp), J Reilly; O Morgan (1-3), C Flaherty, G O’Riordan.
Subs used: D Fitzmaurice for Reilly (30-HT, blood), M King for Morrin (HT), J Mullen (0-2, 1f) for O’Riordan (HT), S Moran (0-2) for Flaherty (42), Fitzmaurice for Commins (47), JP McLoughlin for Reilly (59).
Bearna na Forbacha: J Keane; C Friel, J Kennedy, A Kavanagh; D Forde, S Fitzgerald, N Cox; C Malone, J Fallon (0-1); J Walsh, S Dunne (1-0), D Naughton (1-0); P Dillon, T Curran (0-4, 1tpf, 2f), D Costello (0-2).
Subs used: C Kelly for Dillon (49), D Cox for N Cox (52), P Lenihan for Walsh (59).
Referee: P Griffin