THRILLING FINISH
AS BUNNINADDEN AND
GAELS SHARE THE POINTS
BUNNINADDEN 2-09 SHAMROCK GAELS
2-09
In terms of dominance this was
certainly a game of two halves as
Bunninadden taking control from the start were the complete masters in the
first half, however Shamrock Gaels in a magnificent comeback owned the second
one in this first round Group 1 Kennedys Intermediate Championship match played
at a splendid looking Connolly Park in Collooney on Saturday evening last.
Out from the
traps early Bunninadden had two goals on the electronic scoreboard inside the
first five minutes via experienced forwards Vinny Frizzell and Michael Gormley.
Shamrock Gaels in contrast looked shell shocked and were a beaten docket in
most sectors of the field especially in attack where their lighter forwards
could make no impression on a well organised Bunninadden defence where Sean O
Donnell, Tomas Gormley and Sean Leamy stood firm. Three points was all the
Gaels could manage in the first half as a rampant Bunninadden swept into an
eight point interval lead of 2-05 to 0-03.
With little
or no wind to aid them in the second half Shamrock Gaels had to rely on their
hearts and their lungs to drive them onwards and this they did in highly
admirable fashion, greatly encouraged of course by two splendid goals from
Keith Candon. Improving at midfield they spread the ball wide
at every opportunity while the introduction of former star forward John Paul
Henry gave them added balance despite a few untypical misses. Both sides missed
quite a few in that frantic second half with Bunninadden’s Vinny Frizzell off
target with a few frees admittedly from distance.
Shamrock
Gaels had drawn level at 2-08 apiece with seven minutes to go however
Bunninadden managed to get their noses in front once more with a point approaching the final whistle .
But the Gaels would not give up and deservedly levelled the match for a final
time with a John Paul Henry point. Bunninadden had one more chance to win it
but unfortunately for Michael Gormley his shot following a good run drifted
wide. Bunninadden had good ball winners on show in Adrain Frain, Sean O
Donnell, Danny Cafferkey and Michael Gormley while David Quinn, Keith McMorrow,
Liam O Connell and John Paul Henry contributed most to the Gaels cause in a
fine match with a draw a fair result.
Referee .... Conor Conway.