Gaels go through as 'Glera throw it away

Masonite Senior football Championship

Goals really do win matches, and Melvin Gaels bagged three to steal victory in this Group B decider against a Ballinaglera side that controlled proceedings for large parts of this game in Pairc Sean MacDiarmada on Saturday. The disappointment, or disbelief, on the faces of the ‘Glera management and team following the final whistle was indicative of the hit and run nature of this Gaels win.

by Colin Regan


However, aspirations were all they proved to be. Two second half goals, one from Liam Gilmartin and the other by substitute Fergal McGowan, proved too much for Ballinaglera to counter.

‘Glera will be furious with themselves, having controlled matters for the majority of the game. In the end, however, experience was to prove the difference. Despite not playing well, Melvin Gaels never let their North Leitrim counterparts get out of sight, and never lost their heads.

Gilmartin proved the key man for the Gaels and looked like the only forward with the ability to really trouble the ‘Glera defence on the day. His intelligent running in the first half proved a valuable outlet for an under pressure Melvin Gaels while his contribution of 2-3 speaks for itself.

It was an interesting battle between himself and Rory Cullen at full back who put in a solid display despite Gilmartin’s two goals from play. Cullen cleaned up any slack ball delivered to the full forward line, and was on hand with some excellent high fielding around the square.

The killer blow for ‘Glera came in the form of a very slippy goal 22 minutes into the second half. Leading by 1-10 to 2-05 at the time ‘Glera conceded a line ball about 30 yards from their endline on the left. A huge punt from Gilmartin was contested on the edge of the square, and the ball broke to Fergal McGowan. Despite the numerous ‘Glera men between himself and the goals, McGowan managed to squeeze the ball through the narrowest of gaps to score the match winning goal.

Free-flowing and fancy this wasn’t, but what little quality football was on display was largely coming from Ballinaglera. Their inability to kill them game off proved their downfall, as they were sucker-punched by the two second half goals.

‘Glera must have thought everything was going to plan early in the second half when they led by six points. They were playing the better football, and were getting a lot of space from a generous Gaels defence. The strong running and support play of centre back Ray Gilmartin was instrumental in Ballinaglera’s first half dominance. Time and again he popped up as an extra man around the Melvin Gaels forty, while also picking up plenty of ball in his own back-line.

The decision of Melvin Gaels to play Gareth Phelan at midfield didn’t pay off, and ‘Glera dominated the middle, especially in the first half when Frankie Reynolds saw a lot of possession. However Dolan did get into the game more in the second half where his fitness was a telling factor.

Ballinaglera started well with Colm McGuire pointing a 45 within the second minute. Melvin Gaels kicked two bad wides, to one from Ballinaglera in the next five minutes before Gilmartin struck for his first goal on the seventh minute. A long ball in by Martin McCarron found Gilmartin on the edge of the ‘Glera box. Rory Cullen seemed to have done enough, having forced Gilmartin to fumble the ball, however the tricky Gaels forward, with his back to the goal, sent the keeper the wrong way with a low shot to the goal.

Undaunted, ’Glera took control of the game scoring an unanswered 1-04 in the the ensuing 15 minutes. Anthony McCauley opened the flood-gates on nine minutes with a point after a fine pass from Frankie Reynolds. Rory Gilmartin pointed a free won by Michael John McCauley, before McGuire raised a big cheer from the ‘Glera contingency with a huge effort from a free nearly 50 metres out.

Anthony McCauley pointed off his left foot with 21 minutes played and just two minutes later Michael John McCauley hit the back of the Gaels net to leave considerable light between the sides. James Phelan misjudged a hit ball in around the 21, McCauley fielded well, turned and blasted an unstoppable drive to the top corner. The score was 1-05 to 1-0 in favour of Ballinaglera.

Gareth Foley lifted the siege by pointing a free he won himself on 25 minutes, but again the ‘Glera response was immediate - Damien McGourty with a fine point out on the left.

Liam Gilmartin pulled back one for the Gaels from a free in the final minute when James Wynne was pulled for over-carrying, leaving the half time score Ballinaglera 1-06, Melvin Gaels 1-02.

Any thoughts Melvin Gaels had of getting straight back into the game were snubbed out by two early points by Ballinaglera. Michael John McCauley struck first from distance with just two minutes of the second half gone. Rory Gilmartin found himself bearing down on goal from the resulting kickout when Aaron Phelan’s short pass went astray, however Gilmartin was satisfied with the point, leaving his side ahead 1-08 to 1-02, and cruising.

Gareth Foley and Colm McGuire exchanged points from frees before Liam Gilmartin came up trumps with his second Gaels’ goal with 11 minutes gone in the second half. Gilmartin showed great awareness to punch Brendan Brennan’s high ball to the back of the ‘Glera net, despite the best intentions of Rory Cullen and John Reynolds in goal.

A excellent point from substitute Nigel Cullen should have settled the Ballinaglera ship on 45 minutes, restoring a four point lead, 1-10 to 2-03, but ‘Glera failed to score again until two minutes from time.

Within this time Gaels blitzed Ballinaglera with 1-04, the first of which saw a huge effort from Joseph Tiffoney bounce over the Ballinaglera bar. This was followed a minute later by a Gilmartin point on the turn.

The killer blow came in the form of Fergal McGowan’s 52nd minute goal. Regardless of its scrappy nature, they all count, as Ballinaglera will testify.

Gilmartin confounded their demise with a pointed free on the edge of the Ballinaglera box. In fact, as a foul was committed, it should have been a penalty that was awarded.

Both sides exchanged further wides before Colm McGuire left just the minimum between the sides with a free in the 58th minute. Ballinaglera would still have required two points, as a draw would have been enough for the Gaels, but this proved academic as the referee called proceedings to an end with Melvin Gaels leading 3-06 to 1-11.

Despite playing substandard football, Melvin Gaels continued to fight hard, and had the confidence, and luck, to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Best for them on the day were Joe and Anthony Tiffoney, Martin McCarron, Aiden Dolan and Liam Gilmartin.

Ballinaglera for their part will still be wondering how the managed to lose this game. They played the better football and had the majority of possession. But any team that concedes three goals will find it hard to win. Rory Cullen and Ray Gilmartin stood out in defence, while Frankie Reynolds impressed in midfield. Up front Anthony McCauley and Michael John McCauley were constant threats.

With a little more experience to draw on Ballinaglera would have been looking at a quarter final place. However Melvin Gaels did just enough to claim their place in the next round, where they will meet the winners of St. Cailin’s and Carrigallen, who must play-off for the runner-up place in their group.

Neither of these teams will fear Melvin Gaels from what was on display in Pairc Sean MacDiarmada on Saturday. However they will know that the 1998 Champions are capable of improving significantly, and once you have reached the knock-out stages it’s anyones game.

Melvin Gaels: Aaron Phelan; Michael McGowan, James Phelan, Matt Connolly; Anthony Tiffoney, Joe Tiffoney (0-01), Martin McCarron; Gareth Phelan (capt.), Aiden Dolan; Brendan Brennan, Simon Foley, David Gillespie; Damien Foy, Liam Gilmartin (2-3), Gareth Foley (0-2).

Subs: Fergal McGowan (1-0) for Damien Foy, Shane Mc Carron for Simon Foley.

Ballinaglera: John Reynolds; Barry McGourty, Rory Cullen, Des Creamer; Adrian McGourty, Ray Gilmartin, Enda Gilrane; Frankie Reynolds, Noel McMorrow; Damien McGourty (0-1), Anthony McCauley (0-2), James Wynne; Rory Gilmartin (0-2), Colm McGuire (0-2), Michael John McCauley (1-1).

Subs: Nigel Cullen (0-1) for James Wynne, Sean McMorrow.

Ref: Pat Faughnan (Bornacoola).

© 2000 Leitrim Observer

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