Pearses 2-21 Clarinbridge 2-21: This was an entertaining Senior League Semi-Final played in Carnmore this earlier this evening. Both teams opened leads several times during the game, and it appeared in each case that they might push on. However, any time either side surged ahead, they were quickly reeled in. As the cliche goes, the draw was a fair result in the end. Extra-time was set to be played, but Referee Alan Kelly wisely chose to call it a day with darkness closing in.
Pearses raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after four minutes. The two number thirteens (Tomás Flannery and Evan Niland) starting they meant to go on, with all bar one of those points. For the first time the momentum swung and in the next 9 minutes Clarinbridge hit a purple patch, hitting 2-4. Evan Niland with 2-3 of that tally. 13 minutes played, 2-5 to 0-4.
Pearses recovered well from those Clarinbridge punches and in the following 5 minutes outscored Clarinbridge by 0-6 to 0-1. Flannery, Jimmy Gelston and Ronan Bellew with some good scores. 19 minutes played, 0-9 to 2-6.
The last 10 minutes of the half were more even, neither team were commanding for any spell. Niland continued to lead the way for the Bridge, while Flannery, Gelston and Bellew added further points. A Pearses goal arrived in the 28th minute, with Gary Lally whipped the ball to the net after play came to ground around the square. Half-time: Pearses 1-13 Clarinbridge 2-10.
Similar to the first half, Pearses started well after the break. After eight minutes, they had added 0-4 to Clarinbridge’s 0-2. The following eight minutes seen Clarinbridge assume control, landing five points in-a-row. 46 minutes played, Pearses 1-17 Clarinbridge 2-17.
Again it was Pearses’ turn for a spell of dominance. From the 47th to the 56th minute of play Pearses added 1-4 to Clarinbridge’s 0-1. The goal blasted to the net by Tomás Flannery from a twenty-one yard free in the 52nd minute. This score put Pearses three in front and in the driving seat for the win. However a strong finish by Clarinbridge seen them hit the last three points of the game to level it and bring it to a replay.
Tomás Flannery (1-12) and Evan Niland (2-13) with 2-25 between them, were the star performers for their teams this evening. If the replay can match this evening’s clash, it’s definitely one to look forward to.
Pearses: C Lawless; D Wynne, K Donnellan, R Lally; R Flannery, C Donnellan, K Hardiman; C Fahey, S Hardiman; C O’Neill, J Gelston (0-4), E Cunniffe; T Flannery (1-12), G Lally (1-1), R Bellew (0-4). Subs used: T McDonagh, R O’Neill.