Pearses 2-8 Meelick-Eyrecourt 2-8: The Club’s Junior footballers and Meelick-Eyrecourt could not be separated after extra-time in this Division 8 League Final played in Kilconnell yesterday. Meelick-Eyrecourt had a super start and led 1-3 to 0-0 after 15 minutes, with the wind at their backs. Pearses had a better second quarter and added 0-3 before half-time. Kerrill Hardiman, Enda Cunniffe (free) and Gary Lally the scorers.
A Kerrill Hardiman goal just after half-time levelled the game. Hardiman fisted the ball to the net when a long delivery from a Cunniffe free, was parried by the keeper. Meelick-Eyrecourt however pulled clear again when they goaled at the opposite end and added a pointed free, 2-4 to 1-3. Both teams were reduced to 14 men, following sending offs by referee Lloyd Kelly.
The sending offs seemed to help create space in the packed Meelick-Eyrecourt defence and Pearses were soon back on level terms. Substitute Seán Hardiman hitting 1-1. The goal again fisted to the net. The teams were then reduced to 13 men when two more players seen red. A burst through the Meelick-Eyrecourt defence by Gary Lally resulted in a great individual point and the lead for Pearses on 27 minutes. Meelick-Eyrecourt levelled with 1 minute left and extra-time was required.
Both teams were returned to 15 men for extra-time. In the first period Pearses outscored Meelick-Eyrecourt 0-2 to 0-1. Kerrill Hardiman and Enda Cunniffe the scorers. That scoring sequence was reversed in the second period, with a Seán Hardiman point looking to have won it for Pearses before Meelick-Eyrecourt equalised. Details of the replay TBC.
Pearses: J Flannery; A Naughton, J Lally, S Murray; G Lally (0-2), K Donnellan, L Murphy; E Ward, P Moore; S Walsh, E Cunniffe (0-2), R Carr; K Hardiman (1-2), L Morrissey, R Skehill. Subs used: S Hardiman (1-2), R Finn, A Murray, A O’Reilly, M Walsh.