O’Connell’s GFC v John Mitchels Match Report [Division 6]

Match Report for John Mitchels 1-09 v O’Connell’s GFC 2-18

O’Connell’s GFC travelled to Ardee to take on John Mitchels in the final round of Division 6 North. With a quarter-final spot at stake for whichever side could emerge victorious, there was plenty at stake on the final day. The game started off even, with both teams trading early scores. Sean Geeney got the O’Connell’s account opened for the day with the first two points of the game for the visitors, broken up well by a gutsy home side with scores of their own. Evan Kearney stuck over his first of the day from a free kick before James Walsh hit the games first two-pointer with a superb effort from play beyond the arc. The home side were not going to go down easily however, with the hosts making the net bulge past Stuart Reynolds to tie the game up at 1-03 to 0-06. Unfortunately for John Mitchels, O’Connell’s finally kicked into gear following that goal, based largely on the superb defensive efforts of Jake Kearney, Tadgh Kearney and David Neasy in the full-back line, along with defensive re-enforcement Dalton O’Brien. O’Connell’s would get the next five scores of the half, with efforts from Evan Kearney, Adam Flynn, Conor Byrne and a brace from Sean Geeney ensuring that O’Connell’s went into the break with a 1-03 to 0-11 lead. The second half started well for the home side, with John Mitchels firing over the first score of the half as they looked to kickstart a comeback. This was to be short-lived however, as following a superb run from T.J Conlon, the ball fell to Adam Flynn who made no mistake in finding the back of the net to give O’Connell’s a 1-04 to 1-11 lead. Superb midfield play from Ciaran Kearney and Conor Byrne allowed for O’Connell’s to take control of the game following the goal, with Harry Kierans getting his first point of the game. The hosts were able to split the next six points with the O’Connell’s, with scores from Sean Geeney, Leo Walsh and Evan Kearney ensuring the visitors lead was kept intact. The game was sealed when following a great passage of play, the ball was played into Harry Kierans who found the back of the net for the O’Connell’s second goal of the game. O’Connell’s were unlucky not to have another goal when the ball fell to Jay Conlon inside the box, who seen his shot ultimately fly just wide of the post. This missed chance was not to prove costly however, with three more Evan Kearney points, along with efforts from Sean Geeney and a superb free from Paul McKeever at the final whistle seen the visitors emerge with a 1-09 to 2-18 victory and secure their place in the Division 6 quarterfinals.

O’Connell’s GFC: Stuart Reynolds, Jake Kearney, Tadgh Kearney, James Walsh (0-2 (0-2 2p)), T.J Conlon, Adam Flynn (1-1), Paul McKeever (0-1 (0-1 f)), Ciaran Kearney, Conor Byrne (0-1), Darragh McDonnell, Harry Kierans (1-2), Sean Geeney (0-5), Leo Walsh (0-1), Evan Kearney (0-5 (0-1 f)(0-2 2p)), Dalton O’Brien

Subs (All Featured): Jay Conlon, David Neasey,