St Faithleach’s shock Clann in a game for ages

 

Game of the Weekend

 

Hodson Bay Hotel Roscommon SFC quarter-final

St Faithleach’s 3-17 Clann na nGael 1-22 (after extra-time)

 

Gaelic football as a spectacle has been receiving a lot of criticism over the past few years – and most of it deserved too – but this pulsating match in Kiltoom goes to prove that the game can be an exhilarating watch if teams have the right attitude and are prepared to ‘have a go’. It was the best game of club football that this writer has seen in many years.

To detail all the incidents in this epic encounter would take many pages, but the main highlights are that hot favourites Clann started well and were in control, only for St Faithleach’s to come back into contention at the end of the first half and look the likely winners for most of the second period.

In fact the Ballyleague men led by five points with the game into injury-time, but in a welter of excitement Clann scored 1-2 (the goal from Paddy Gavin) to dramatically draw the sides level. The teams traded scores in injury-time like two boxing heavyweights slugging it out in a never-say-die battle that swung one way and then the other, and in the nature of the game it looked odds-on that it would go to the dreaded penalty shootout.

It was fitting that the winning score came from the boot of All-Star nominee Diarmuid Murtagh. I have been watching Diarmuid since he came along as a juvenile and he has always been a class act, but I have never seen him turn in a display like the one he produced on Saturday night. He was simply sensational. If the All-Star selectors were at the match he would be an extremely strong contender for this year’s team on this display alone. It was a privilege to to witness his brilliance.

Despite losing the midfield battle, Clann were sharper early in the game and led by 0-6 to 0-2 after 19 minutes, with Josh Lennon and Tom Lennon prominent. Then Diarmuid Murtagh sent his brother Ciaráin through in the 26th minute for a superb goal and it was nip and tuck after that. St Faithleach’s went into the break leading by 1-5 to 0-7.

In addition to Diarmuid and Ciaráin Murtagh, Mikey Dunne, Connell Kennelly and Cathal Gunn were prominent for St Faithleach’s. The sides were level five times in the third quarter. Then St Faithleach’s scored a crucial second goal in the 52nd minute when Jonathan Hussey pulled first-time on the rebound after Sean Kelly had saved a shot from Dave Rooney. Then, when Diarmuid Murtagh scored a brilliant solo goal in the 58th minute, Faithleach’s were five points clear (3-11 to 0-15).

Clann dug in. Ciaran Lennon fisted a point in the first minute of injury-time. Fearghus Lennon pointed in the 64th minute and a minute later a high ball was lobbed into the Faithleach’s square and it fell to sub Paddy Gavin who drove it past Alan Manning through a forest of legs. What a finish! Clann were still alive with the score now at 1-17 to 3-11.

There was no separating the sides in the first period of extra-time (1-20 to 3-14) but in the final 10 minutes Faithleach’s moved towards the winning post. Diarmuid Murtagh kicked three fantastic points – the final one with a minute remaining – to give his side a thrilling victory.

A game to remember, and a fantastic win for St Faithleach’s who confounded the pundits (this one included) to advance to the semi-finals. For Clann, it was a very disappointing performance. Only David Connaughton, Josh Lennon, Tom Lennon, Emmet Kenny and sub Paddy Gavin were notably prominent for Pat Fallon’s men.

St Faithleach’s: Alan Manning; Karl Nerney, Paddy Farrell, Kevin Farrell; James Browne (0-2), Darren Nerney, Mikey Dunne (0-1); Connell Kennelly, Cian Glennon; Jonathan Hussey (1-2), Jack Murray (0-1), Cathal Gunn (0-1); Diarmuid Murtagh (1-7, 3 frees), Dave Rooney (0-1), Ciaráin Murtagh (1-0). Subs: David Harrison for Dunne (42), Lee Kilcoyne for Murray (61), Aidan Dooney (0-2) for Rooney (63), Darragh Hussey for K Farrell (64), Brian Murtagh for J Hussey (e/t), Dave Rooney for D Hussey (e/t).

Clann na nGael: Sean Kelly; Tom Lennon (0-3), David Connaughton (0-1), Shane Pettit; Shane Gavin, Dylan Sumner, Cathal Duignan (0-3); Ultan Harney (0-2), Alan McManus (0-1); Paul McManus, David McManus (0-1), Emmett Kenny (0-2); Fearghus Lennon (0-1), Ciaran Lennon (0-4, 3 frees), Josh Lennon (0-2). Subs: Oisin O’Flaherty for D McManus (25), Oisin Lennon for A McManus (h/t), Paddy Gavin (1-1) for S Gavin (50), Kieran Connaughton for J Lennon (55), Ian Harney for E Kenny (62), Sea Henry (0-1) for P McManus (e/t), Eanna Henry for D Connaughton (e/t), Paul McManus for O’Flaherty (e/t), Josh Lennon for F Lennon (e/t).

Referee Dermot Lyons.

 

Man of the Match

Diarmuid Murtagh