MFL2: Vincent's/Curraha exit to Simonstown
May 19, 2015
Curraha's Sean Keogh
St Vincents/Curraha 1-12
Simonstown Gaels 2-17
St Vincents/Curraha involvement in this year's Minor Division 2 league was ended last night following defeat to Simonstown Gaels in a pulsating and bruising semi-final encounter in Curraha.
Simonstown started brightly and despite playing against the wind raced into an early 4 point lead before St Vincent's/Curraha replied with a point from Conor Moriarty following good work from Brian Joyce & Kevin Laffey. Although Simonstown had the edge in the early exchanges, St Vincent's/Curraha fought back and a high ball into the square from Sean Keogh was gathered by Conor Moriarty who finished to the net to bring the sides level. The home side gained the momentum and pressed forward forcing the Simonstown defence to concede frees which were duly converted by Conor Moriarty. With Niall Murphy making some inspirational runs turning defence into attack, St Vincents/Currraha were rewarded with 2 wonderful points from Sean Keogh. Simonstown kept in touch with several further scores before another Moriarty point from play following a great run from Andrew Battersby completed the first half with a score-line of St Vincents/Curraha 1-8, Simonstown Gaels 0-7.
The second half started similar to the first with Simonstown gaining the initiative early on and now playing with the wind slotted over 3 unanswered points to leave only the minimum between the sides. St Vincents/Curraha fought back and Brian Joyce excelled in midfield. Andrew Battersby was fouled on several occasions whilst running at the Simonstown defence and Sean Keogh and Conor Moriarty converted these frees, Simonstown were also scoring from play and frees to leave the score level with 10 minutes to go. However, with the home team needlessly using possession in midfield, a long ball in was gathered by a Simonstown forward behind the home defence and he slotted the ball low into the net. This was the start of a purple patch for Simonstown who added another 1-2 in the following 5 minutes to effectively end the game.With both sides adding points in the dying seconds, the final whistle was blown to leave the final score St Vincents/Curraha 1-12, Simonstown Gaels 2-17.
Simonstown Gaels will be flattered by this 8 point win and the scoreline does not indicate how close this game really was. A superb effort from St Vincent's/Curraha just fell short against a physically bigger Simonstown team.
St Vincent's/Curraha team: Luke McCarthy, Mark Phelan, Niall Murphy, Andrew Moriarty, Andrew McEntee, Ryan Hand, Sean Keogh (0-5), Brian Joyce, Kevin Laffey, Andrew Battersby, Conor Moriarty (1-7), Ian Battersby, Patrick McGill, James Gibney, Brandon McMahon.
Subs: Sean Moore for Ian Battersby, Nigy Hand for Patrick McGill, Adam White for Brandon McMahon.
