Connacht Gold Junior A Football Championship Group 1
Round 2.
Saturday, September 4th, 2021
St Patrick’s Vs Naomh Molaise Gaels
Referee: Gavin Cawley
Venue: Kent Park, Sligo
Match Report: Liam Casserly
St Patrick’s 2-12, Molaise Gaels 0-13.
On an ideal afternoon for football in Kent Park, supporters
were treated to an entertaining encounter in the Junior A Football
Championship. St Pat’s started the game brightly with an early four-point
siege. James Clarke scored two while Padraic Clarke chipped in a tidy effort. A
Jim Davis free from the right saw the West Sligo side leading comfortably early
on before John Heraghty got Molaise up and running with a point from a long
pass from John Gilsenan. Ollie White slotted a point after a foot pass from
Luke Casserly. Pat’s replied immediately, Padraic Clarke seeing his ambitious
shot from distance curl between the posts beautifully. Michael Langan scored a
free which began a comeback from Gael’s. Ollie White split the posts from range
after a long build up before Josh Fallon and Michael Langan both pointed to
leave the sides level at seven points apiece at half time.
The restart swung into action immediately with Gael’s keeper
Darragh Currid saving brilliantly to deny Pat’s from close range, but the Clarkes
continued to cause trouble for the Molaise defence as James sailed another
point over. Ronan Keegan was introduced to play to replace Ollie White and soon
after, Pat’s crashed the ball into the Molaise net for the game’s first goal,
Pierce Kearins finishing off a strong team move. Molaise replied instantly with
a point from busy corner forward, combining with John Gilsenan. Jim Davis then
increased his and Pat’s tally with a fine point to leave the score 1 09 to 8
points in favour of St Pat’s. It looked like a comeback from Molaise was on the
cards when Molaise successfully converted two frees, one from James Heraghty
and the next from Michael Langan but Pat’s responded with a goal from Pierce
Kearins just before the second water break leaving the score at 2-09 to 0-10
and Molaise with an uphill struggle going into the final quarter.
The teams traded points after the final restart, Langan
first for Molaise and Finneran for St Pat’s before John Heraghty converted a
free with one minute of normal time remaining. Of the three points scored in
injury time, two came from the St Pat’s full forwards Davis and Kevany before
Michael Langan grabbed a consolation score deep into injury time.
St Patrick’s were deserved victors on the day, their
experience showing through. For Molaise, it was a gallant display that will
stand to this young side in the future. The spectators from both sides were
kept entertained with a game played in good spirit. Next up for Molaise is a
clash with St Michael’s in Scarden on the 19th with St Pat’s meeting
Cloonacool in Nace O’Dowd Park the same day.
Molaise Gaels: Daragh Currid, Tola Caraway, Ethan
Watters, Colm Clancy, John Kerins, Conor Feighney, Micheál Gillen, Daniel
Keaney, Luke Casserly, Ollie White (0-2), Josh Fallon (0-1), John Heraghty (0-4
2f), Michael Langan (0-5, 2f), John Gilsenan, Marc Heraghty (0-1). Subs:
Ronan Keegan, Ryan Gallagher, Caoileann Carty
St. Patrick’s: Tomas McMunn, James Kearins, Joe McMunn, Jonathan Higgins,
Enda Clarke, Dean Mahon, David Giblin(c) (1-0), Cathal Finneran (0-1), Connell
Kearins, Donal Brady, James Clarke (0-3), Pierce Kearins (1-1), Jim Davis
(0-4), Oisin Kevany, Padraic Clarke (0-3) Subs used: Jack Egan, Paul Boland,
Donal Kilcullen