St Oliver Plunkett's GAC, Greenlough Club Notes
May 12, 2013With away wins against Desertmartin and Limavady in the previous two games, Greenlough's Seniors hoped to complete a hat-trick of wins away from St Oliver Plunkett Park, when they travelled to Ballerin on Sunday 12th May.
Facing a side that had recorded wins over Desertmartin and Ogra, and a single point defeat to Castledawson, the side Greenlough drew with in the opening league fixture, the St Oliver Plunkett's men knew they were in for a tough game.
And added to the wet and windy conditions and a muddy field, it proved to be that way.
Greenlough's county players, Enda Lynn and Brian McCallion, got their side's and the game's scoring off to an early start in the fifth and eighth minutes with a point-a-piece, only for Ballerin to respond two minutes later for their opening score.
In terrible conditions it was Seamus Graham who pointed next at the mid-point of the first half, and with the wides outweighing the scores, Cormac O'Neill's pointed free saw the game's total point tally rise to only five with five minutes of normal time remaining.
Greenlough's three point lead was briefly cut to two in the final minute of normal time, but with delays for a number of injuries, there was still time for Brian McCallion's second point of the day when he found space in the Ballerin defence after a Cormac O'Neill '45 in the 35th minute.
Half-Time: Ballerin 0-02 Greenlough 0-05
With the wind on their backs for the second half, Greenlough hoped to improve upon their scoring exploits of the first; and made the perfect start when Seamus Graham pointed within a minute of the restart.
But as the muddy conditions continued to affect the ball handling for both teams, it took eight minutes for the next score, when Seamus repeated the trick and fired over his third of the day.
Ballerin responded almost instantly, only for Fintan Kelly to restore the gap back to five in the 43rd minute. Just at the mid point of the second half, things became a little more scrappy, with three pointed frees in just over two minutes, Ballerin closing the gap with two points either side of Enda Lynn's score.
After battling hard all day in defence along with the hard working Joe Kearney, Christopher Lagan ventured up field to fire over to help Greenlough reach double figures for the day with just over five minutes remaining. The visitors had further chances to kill the game off with a number of near misses on goal, but with the resulting '45s coming to nothing, it was left to Ballerin to finish the game's scoring with a point in the final minute of normal time, to leave four between the sides at the long whistle.
Full-Time: Ballerin 0-06 Greenlough 0-10
Team and Scorers: Christopher Bradley, Paul Quinn, Joe Kearney, Connor Madden, Christopher Lagan 0-1, Christopher Kearney, Liam Quinn, Brian McCallion 0-2, Niall Bradley, Fintan Kelly 0-1, John Og McPeake, Enda Lynn 0-2 (1f), Cormac O'Neill 0-1 (1f), Seamus Graham 0-3, Ryan Tohill. Subs: James McCallion for C Madden HT, Christopher Maguire, Gerard Kearney, Michael Clarke, Ruairi McGlinchey.
ACFL Div 2 Reserves: Ballerin 0-07 Greenlough 1-10 (12/05/13) - Depleted Reserves survive low scoring second half to remain unbeaten
Ballerin was the destination for Greenlough's Reserves on Sunday 12th May, when they travelled to their third consecutive away league game.
With three wins from their opening three games, Greenlough hoped to continue the good start to the 2013 league campaign and remain at the top of the league table.
It took only 30 seconds for the visitors to make the perfect start when captain Ruairi McGlinchey led by example and fired over in wet and blustery conditions.
Despite playing against the wind Ballerin responded in the 5th minute and again in the 11th after Enda McNally pointed in the 9th, to keep the sides level early on, before themselves taking the lead for the first time moments later.
Their lead lasted all of a minute before Cathal McGurk evened things up, and then Enda McNally pointed from a free to give Greenlough the lead once more at the mid point of the half.
The St Oliver Plunkett's men then hit a five minute purple patch of scoring, which would prove crucial come the end of the game, with two points from Cathal McGurk and a third Enda McNally point followed by a low drilled goal by Cathal with just under ten minutes of the opening half remaining.
With the freshly cut lumps of grass sticking to the ball and making it very hard to hold onto, both sides struggled to create scoring chances in the final few minutes of the opening period, with only Sean Tohill's point in the 25th minute to show for their collective efforts.
That score leaving eight between the sides at the break, with Greenlough to turn around and play into the strong wind blowing down the centre of the field for the second period.
Half-Time Ballerin 0-03 Greenlough 1-08
The second half was an instantly forgettable affair. Ballerin pointed four minutes after the restart, but in the tricky conditions, it took a further sixteen minutes for another score. When that score did eventually come it was a point for Enda McNally, a full twenty-five minutes after Greenlough's last score. If it had been any other game it would have put Greenlough in great danger, but Ballerin were struggling to find their range so the gap remained comfortable for the visitors.
Ballerin responded instantly after Enda's score with a free and then the sides traded points in the 26th minute with Robert McAllister hitting Greenlough's second and final point of the half. Ballerin continued to push on as Greenlough squandered possession on a number of occasions, but all they could manage in the remaining few minutes was two points, the second with the final kick of the game; ensuring St Oliver Plunkett's held on for a six point victory and fourth win from their opening four games.
Full-Time: Ballerin 0-07 Greenlough 1-10
Team and Scorers: Gerard Kearney, Eoin Connolly, Ciaran Cassidy, Kevin McDonnell, Damian McTeague, James McCallion, Michael Clarke, Robert McAllister 0-1, Ruairi McGlinchey 0-1, Enda McNally 0-4 (1f), Cathal McGurk 1-3, Christopher Maguire, Sean Tohill 0-1. Subs: Darren Brown, Mark Tohill
U14 League: Greenlough 6-07 Doire Trasna 3-06 (07/05/13) - First league win for Under 14s
Following the opening round defeat against Feile C Champions Glenullin last week, Greenlough's Under 14s welcomed Doire Trasna to St Oliver Plunkett Park on Tuesday, 7th May, for their second round league game.
After a closely matched first half there was only a goal separating the sides, but with six of the games nine goals going to the homeside, Greenlough emerged with a ten point victory after a strong second half showing.
Greenlough Scorers: Stephen Bradley 3-2, Caolan Tohill 1-2, James Henry 1-1, Christopher Lynn 1-0, Kevin Mullan 0-1.
Minor match postponed
The Minor match against Craigbane scheduled for, Monday 6th May, was postponed, due to a death in Craigbane. We offer our condolences to the family and to the members of the Craigbane club.
Under 14 Match - Bus details
Greenlough's Under 14s are away to Steelstown on Tuesday 14th May. The Bus will leave the OP Hall at 6pm sharp.
10K Road Race and Fun Run
The 2013 Greenlough 10K Road Race/5K Fun run will take place on Wednesday 12th June, starting at 7.30pm. Registration from 6.30pm at St Oliver Plunkett's GAC club rooms, Clady. £5 entry. Cash Prizes. Call 07712489280 or email [email protected] for further details. Latest details also available on club site: www.greenloughgac.com.
2013 Cul Camp
Greenlough will hold their 2013 Kellogg's Cul Camp from Monday 1st to Friday 5th July, from 10.00am to 2.30pm each day, for 6 to 13 year olds. The cost is £35 per child, (£30 for any further children in the same family), and as well as five days of coaching and fun, the price includes playing gear (jersey, shorts and socks) and backpack.
Anyone interested in attending can save 5 euro by collecting Kellogg's tokens and signning up at http://www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/, please sign up online if possible, or can request a form or more information from club Secretary Feargal Scullion (07841119137).
Lotto Results 06/05/13 - Jackpot still £5000!
Letters: A B C O. Jackpot £5000 - not won. £25 Winners - Briege Madden, Moyagoney & Louis Downey, Clady. Jackpot for 13/05/13: still frozen at £5000! NB: All lotto to be in by 7pm on Mondays. Lotto Tickets and envelopes available at the back of the chapel; or from Sheila 07764654573. Please support the club by playing the lotto. Thanks for your support!
More club details: www.greenloughgac.com or GreenloughGAC on Facebook, or @GreenloughGAC on Twitter. Tweet
