St Oliver Plunkett's GAC, Greenlough Club Notes
August 04, 2014Only three weeks previously Greenlough and Drumsurn last met at Senior level in the league at St Oliver Plunkett Park, with the hosts winning comfortably with nine points to spare. However, when the sides met in Banagher on Saturday, 2nd August, in the first round of the Our Wee Club Intermediate Championship, the Greenlough men were well aware they would be in for a much sterner test.
In very wet and windy conditions the first minute saw both sides drop the ball into their opposing 'keeper's hands before Enda Lynn opened the scoring in the third minute from a free after he had been fouled.
Greenlough should have added to their opener within seconds but could only manage a wide, which was quickly followed by another before a long rang effort from Drumsurn brought the sides level.
A pointed free a minute later, and another from play almost directly from the resulting kick-out had Drumsurn ahead by two by the eighth minute, only for Enda Lynn to respond with his second when he turned his man and fired over.
The north Derry men signalled their intent again in the eleventh minute with a wide, but from the kick out the ball was worked from midfield and into the back of the Greenlough net. A point quickly followed and suddenly Greenlough found themselves five down with just twelve minutes gone.
That lead however lasted less than five minutes thanks to the combination of Enda Lynn and Niall Loughlin. Firstly Niall pointed after a foul on Enda, before Niall set up Enda who hit his third point of the game. Then came Greenlough's first penalty and goal of the game, when Niall Loughlin was taken down by the Drumsurn goalkeeper, who was subsequently shown the black card, and Enda Lynn stepped up and put the ball in the corner of the net, to leave the sides with 1-4 a piece.
Two points in as many minutes then gave Drumsurn the advantage once again, before Niall Loughlin scored with the outside of the boot to leave one in it with ten of the opening half remaining.
Drumsurn then had a good goal chance when their forward was left one-on-one with Christopher Bradley, but fortunately for Greenlough the ball blazed over the bar, when a goal was a real possibility.
With normal time all but up there was still time for three more scores. Enda Lynn hit first with a point after a quick one-two from a free before Drumsurn restored their two point advantage, only for Niall Loughlin and Enda Lynn to combine once more, before setting up Seamus Graham who pointed under pressure to leave one in it at the break.
Half-Time: Greenlough 1-07 Drumsurn 1-08
If the first half was slow enough at getting started with regards scores, the second certainly was not. Eight scores in under ten minutes, five of which came in the opening five minutes had the rain soaked crowd well entertained; with plenty more to excitement come.
Drumsurn were the owners of the first of those points, with one after thirty seconds and another before two minutes had fully elapsed, to move three ahead.
Cormac O'Neill started Greenlough's response with a low shot just over the crossbar, before Caolan Diamond caught the resulting kick-out, passed to Enda Lynn, who in turn returned the ball over the bar. When Connor Madden was fouled less than a minute later Enda added his sixth point of the day to bring the sides level once more.
As was the case for most of the game, parity didn't last long, with Drumsurn getting the first of five points from frees in the second half in the 36th minute; before Brian McCallion from distance, and Cormac O'Neill with a carbon copy of his first point, swung the advantage back in Greenlough's favour, putting the St Oliver Plunkett's men ahead for the first time since the third minute.
A minute later and Seamus Graham's extended the lead to two but almost predictably Drumsurn responded again with a point less than two minutes later.
Neither side looked like opening up a significant lead in the wet conditions and enthralling game, and again the sides exchanged points within a short space of time; Caolan Diamond with a terrific long range point from over forty meters quickly followed by two pointed 14 meter frees from Drumsurn, the second of which saw a Greenlough player receive the game's second black card drawing the sides level for the fifth time with just under ten to go.
Niall Loughlin edged Greenlough ahead yet again within two minutes, only for another black card for the South Derry men, and another levelling pointed free for Drumsurn.
Greenlough had two good chances, one from a free, to retake the lead in the next two minutes, but it was a case of third time lucky a minute later, when Caolan Diamond pointed a monster shot from a free to leave his side ahead with less than two minutes of normal time remaining.
Within a minute those two wides while previously regretted suddenly looked like they could be very costly, as Drumsurn pointed twice in a minute to take lead once more as the game entered injury time.
In this non-stop game, where there was never more than three minutes between scores, it was almost certain there would be at least one more twist before the final whistle would be blown, and there was very nearly two.
A minute into injury time and Greenlough were awarded their second penalty, and a second Drumsurn goalkeeper was shown a black card and replaced after fouling a Greenlough player, this time Cormac O'Neill.
While only a point was needed for Greenlough to bring them level with just about a minute remaining, Cormac stepped up himself and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to give the St Oliver Plunkett's a two point lead, with time almost up.
But not quite. There was still time for Drumsurn to get the ball up the field again. And when they were awarded a free about forty meters out, and needing a goal, the ball was lofted into the goal mouth. The resulting scramble saw a Drumsurn forward get a shot on goal, but fortunately for Greenlough Christopher Bradley batted the ball away and from the rebound the final whistle was blown, giving the St Oliver Plunkett's men a win the most dramatic of fashions and a place in the quarter finals.
Full-Time: Greenlough 2-16 Drumsurn 1-17
Team and Scorers: Christopher Bradley, Paul Quinn, Justin Madden, James McCallion, Christopher Kearney, Brian McCallion (capt) 0-1, Stefan Lynn, Caolan Diamond 0-2 (1f), Niall Bradley, Ryan Tohill, Cormac O'Neill 1-2 (1 pen), Connor Madden, Enda Lynn 1-06 (1 pen, 2f), Seamus Graham 0-2, Niall Loughlin 0-3 (1f). Subs: Joseph Kearney for P Quinn (black card 49 min), John Og McPeake for E Lynn (black card 53 min), Vincent McDonnell, Michael Clarke, Christopher Maguire, Brian O'Neill, Niall Kearney, Eoin Connolly.
U14 B C'ship Q-Final: Eoghan Rua 3-12 Greenlough 0-05 (29/07/14) - Under 14s season comes to an end with Championship defeat in Coleraine
Following their first round win over Glenullin, Greenlough travelled to Coleraine on Tuesday evening, 29th July, to take on Eoghan Rua in the U14 B Championship Quarter-Finals.
With the aid of a strong wind Greenlough made the brighter start, and had hit the post before captain Michael McDonnell pointed the game's first score in the opening minute. However the hosts soon responded, with a point within a minute, before hitting three unanswered points in two minutes, including two frees, to open an early gap.
Greenlough were kicked into action and reduced the lead to just one by the tenth minute; with first Kevin Mullan pointing from a free following a foul on Ruairi Henry, and then Connor Mullan getting his first of the day fromplay.
Just when it looked as though the visitors were getting into the game, Eoghan Rua hit two points and a goal in just over a minute to open a six point lead.
Connor Mullan responded with a pointed free soon afterwards; only for the hosts to finish the half with two further goals to open up an eleven point lead at the break. The margin could have been more but for two good saves from Brian Henry in the Greenlough goal, while the St Oliver Plunkett's men also had a goal chance saved.
Half-Time: Coleraine 3-06 Greenlough 0-04
The second half saw Greenlough play against the breeze, and while they created a number of good chances, they could only manage one point in the 16th minute of the half; while the hosts went onto point in the 2nd, 7th, 15th, 18th and 22nd minutes to confirm a comfortable victory and passage to the semi-finals.
Full-Time: Coleraine 3-12 Greenlough 0-05
The defeat saw Greenlough Under 14's season, which started on 23rd February, draw to a close after 24 competitive games, 9 Feile (8 wins, 1 defeat), 13 League (6 wins, 2 draws, 3 defeats, 2 conceded), 2 championship (1 win, 1 defeat). The league saw Greenlough finish 7th of 14 in the ACFL U14 B; exiting the U14 B championship at the Q-Final stages; while reaching the Feile Peile na nOg C Final.
Thanks to all the players and management team of Sean Mullan, Michael Shaw and Brian Heaney for their hard work and dedication throughout the season; and to all the parents, relatives and club members who supported the team during the year.
Team and scorers: Brian Henry, Ronan Lynn, Jack McCann, Paul McErlain, Joe McErlean, Michael McDonnell (capt) 0-1, Peter McDonnell, Donal Lynn, Connor Mullan 0-2 (1f), Jude Moore, Kevin Mullan 0-1 (1f), Caolan McCann, Patrick McPeake, Ruairi Henry 0-1, Caolan Tohill. Sub: Lorcan Convery for P McPeake.
Greenlough Fight Night - Greenlough GAC are proposing organising a Fight Night to take place on the 8th November 2014. There will be a minimum of 10 bouts, each one will be 3 by 1 minute rounds. Therefore we need a minimum of 20 people to take part. If you volunteer to fight there will be an 8 week training programme which will be 2 nights a week in Toome at a cost of £2.00 per session. This will commence at the end of August/start of September. Also each fighter will have to get a certain amount of sponsorship which is still to be determined. Anyone interested please contact Connor Madden(07866671491) by the 30th June to determine if it is feasible to run the event.
Clapping at the Lough - Can you pin the Square and win £1000 cash. The club are holding a unique fundraiser, where the club's pitch will be divided into squares, and the square where the 'Cow claps' will win £1000. Tickets are now on sale at £5 each for each square. The event will take place on Sunday 24th August at the pavilion. Please buy a ticket/square and support the club. Thanks.
Lotto Results 28/07/14 - Letters: J L T Z. Jackpot £2750 - not won. £25 Winners - Aine McErlean, Mullaghnamoyagh & Catherine Cassidy, Ballynease. Jackpot for 04/08/14: £2800. NB: Please buy a ticket from any of the sellers or local outlets, or return your lotto envelopes to the box provided or sellers. Thank you for your support.
Good Luck - to our Reserves and Under 16s in their first round Championship games, Under 16s play Glen at home on Thursday 7th at home, while the Reserves play Lissan, with the game due to be played Wednesday/Thursday or Friday of this week depending on how the respective Senior teams did in their first round championship games. Check website for latest details.
More club details: www.greenloughgac.com or GreenloughGAC on Facebook, or @GreenloughGAC on Twitter. Tweet
