Congratulations to the Hurlers who won their Championship Semi Final on a score line of Thomas McCurtains: 0-14, Fulham Irish: 0-13.

A sudden downpour as the sliotar was thrown in didn't put a dampener on this pulsating encounter in Ruislip. It was an end to end match with the teams drawing level no less than nine times throughout. Mark Russel proved the difference in the end for Thomas McCurtains, popping up at the right moment to hit the all important score in the dying moments. 

Russell traded early scores with Luke Slyman and Fergus O'Regan before further points from Dean Corrigan and two from Russell put McCurtains three ahead with 15 mins gone. That was the biggest the gap was ever going to be as some great running by John Kirby in the Fulham Irish midfield allowed Slyman to pull one back before Kirby and Michael Harte added one each to draw level yet again. With half time fast approaching Fulham Irish took the lead when Slyman added his third with a free but Sean Murphy had the last say when his arrow like 65m free split the uprights to leave nothing between the teams at 0-06 apiece at half-time.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first with a Kieran Dowling point putting the Macs in the lead before Kirby pulled one back. McCurtains looked to take control of the game and a lovely flowing move allowed Corrigan through for his second point while Ryan Carson put them two ahead. The talking point of the game came when Sean Murphy received a red card for a mistimed tackle as Kirby was bearing down on goals. Slyman scored the resulting free to leave the minimum between the teams while Carson hit back immediately. Two further points from Slyman pulled Fulham level once again as they looked to use the extra man in the full back line. Carson was unlucky to not score a goal as some strong running saw his attempt hooked  and go over the bar.

Some heroic defending from McCurtains kept Fulham at bay but with the extra man stopped any outlet. Sub Conor Aherne eventually got a point for Fulham. Mark Russell who had been kept quiet in the inside forward line moved out the field and managed to find a bit more freedom by tapping over his first of the half. Kirby scored another free before O'Regan who had been kept quiet by Macs full back Brian Ryan scored what looked to be the winner with two minutes on the clock left. Up steps Russell to score the equaliser. With time running out and the game deep in injury time a pass from Dowling found Russell on the left wing and he kept his cool to slot it over and see McCurtains into the final. 

THOMAS MCCURTAINS: S. Donohue; J. Donohue, B. Ryan, S. Smyth; L. O'Brien, S. Murphy (0-1, '65), G. Long; D Corrigan (0-2), E. Breen; K. Dowling (0-1), R. Carson (0-3), M. O'Leary; C. Grace, M. Russell (0-7, 1f), J. Coulson. 

SUBS: E. Caldwell for Grace & S. Kelly for O'Leary. 

FULHAM IRISH: K. Greene; E. Sullivan, D. O'Connell, P. O'Mahony; no.5, D. McInerney, J. Marrinan; M. Broder, J. Kirby (0-2); E. McCarthy, M. Harte (0-1), S. O'Donnell; N. Larkin, F. O'Regan (0-2), L. Slyman (0-7, 5f). 

SUBS: C. Aherne (0-1) for Larkin, K. McHugh for no.5, H. Connolly for Harte & D. Hayes for McCarthy. 

That means that our hurlers along with our footballers are now preparing for Championship Finals over the next two weekends. The football final is against Dulwich Harps on Sunday 24th September at 2.00pm while the hurlers await the result of the other semi-final to know their opponents on Sunday 1st October. All support on the day for both teams is welcome.

 

Training (Click on team name for more info):

Mens Football: Tuesday and Thursday at 7.00pm in Goodmayes.

Mens Hurling: Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in Goodmayes.

Ladies Football: Tuesday at 6.45 in Goodmayes.

Camogie: No training this week.

Underage: Hurling, Monday at 6.45pm in Goodmayes.

                    Football, Tuesday in Thurrock RFC & Wednesday in Goodmayes both at 6.45pm.

Fixtures:

Mens Football: Junior Football Championship Final - Thomas McCurtains v Dulwich Harps, Sunday 24th Sepember 2017 at 2.00pm, Ruislip.

Mens Hurling:  Intermediate Hurling Championship Final - Thomas McCurtains v TBC, Sunday 1st October 2017 at 3.30pm, Ruislip.

Results:

Mens Football: Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi Final - Thomas McCurtains: 0-14, Fulham Irish: 0-13

New Players:

New players are always very welcome to join our friendly club. We have Gaelic Football & Hurling teams for both men and ladies from u-8s up to Adults. We are based in East London; the club covers a wide area and current players live in many different areas, including, Gants Hill, Woodford, Leyton, Leytonstone, Stratford, Romford, Dagenham, Brentwood & Chelmsford as well as many other areas. Transport to and from training and pick-up from stations can be arranged, if required.

If you would like to join our club, please do not hesitate to contact:

Mens Football: Martin Keyes: 07712 106 349

Mens Hurling: Brian Ryan: 07851 164 119

Ladies Football: Deirdre McArdle: 07523 109 547

Camogie: Eoin Kelly: 07729 746 052

Underage: Martin McGovern: 07807 830 556

U8/10 Managers - Martin Healy 07854739585  and Denis Doherty 07958432835

U12 Managers - Marc Daily 07824 837952 and Tim Sullivan 07764 658350

U14 Managers - John Moran  07946 031883  and Tim Sullivan 07764 658350

Hurling Manager - Marc Daily 07824 837952

Thomas McCurtains GAA Club would welcome coaching support in local schools and our training sessions.

Please check out Thomas McCurtain's on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram. Or drop us an email on [email protected]. We would be delighted to hear from you.

 

*Gentle reminder to all teams to take their rubbish with them after using Goodmayes pitches*

Tweet

Most Read Stories