KEVIN ‘Cookie’ Gallagher’s tenure as the St Michael’s manager began with a derby win over Cloughaneely at The Bridge.
St Michael’s 0-18 Cloughaneely 1-9
By Charlie Collins at The Bridge
St Michael’s saw their game against Bundoran last weekend called off following the death of Brian McGinley and a minute’s silence was observed before this game.
The opening twelve minutes saw the team’s share eight points. Edward O Reilly kicked three frees and Martin McElhinney (pictured) pointed from play for the home team while two John Fitzgerald frees, one from Shaun Curren and a mark point from Paul Sweeney had the team’s level at 0-4 apiece.
Andrew Kelly’s free in the 17th minute had St.Michael’s ahead at the water break 0-05 to 0-04. Martin Maguire brought them level with a super long range score.
Darren McGeever followed his example with an excellent point and Lee OBrien made it three in a row for the visitors with a good run and fisted point to give Cloughaneely a two point lead, 0-5 to 0-7.
It got better for them a minute later, a free dropped short but Paul Sweeney reacted quickest and slid the ball past keeper Oisín Cannon to give the visitors a five point lead 0-5 to 1-7 in the 26th minute.
Edward O’Reilly knocked over his fourth free just before the break to leave it 0-6 to 1-7 at half-time, St.Michaels had managed just one score from play in the opening period.
Two early Edward O’Reilly frees had the home team within two points and a super effort from long range by Hugh O’Donnell left it a one point game and when his wing back partner Ruairi Friel followed his example with a excellent point the team’s were level, 0-10 to 1-7 in the 38th minute.
Carlos O’Reilly made it six in a row for the home team to give them the lead but Darren McGeever replied with Cloughaneely’s first score of the half to level it up again.
St Michaels were now on top and Hugh O’Donnell, Carlos O’Reilly and an Andrew Kelly free had them three ahead at the waterbreak 0-14 to 1-8 and the visitors had it all to do.
It proved too big a task as the home team dominated the latter stages with further points from Edward and Carlos O’Reilly and two from sub Kyle McFadden.
John Fitzgerald added a free for Cloughaneely but that was only their second score of the half and the game was long gone by that stage.
St.Michael’s: Oisin Cannon: Jamie Hunter, Liam Paul Ferry, Michael Gallagher; Hugh O’Donnell (0-2), Michael McGinley, Ruairi Friel (0-1); Ciaran Kelly, Martin McElhinney (0-1); Edward O’Reilly (0-7f), Carlos O’Reilly (0-3), Oisin Langan, Andrew Kelly (0-2f), Colin Sean McFadden, Stephen Doak. Subs: Antoin McFadden for Doak (40), Kyle McFadden (0-2), for Kelly (50), Conan Brennan for Langan (55).
Cloughaneely: Shaun McClafferty; Cian McFadden, Ciaran McFadden, Ciaran McGeady; Mark Harley, Ciaran Scanlon, Shaun Curran (0-1f); Lee O’Brien (0-1), Darren McGeever (0-2); Aidan Doohan, Darren Ferry, Cillian Gallagher; John Fitzgerald (0-3f), Paul Sweeney (1-1), Martin Maguire (0-1). Subs: Conor Coyle for Curren (28), Michael McHugh for Doohan (half-time), Blake McGarvey for Maguire (40), Shaun Maguire for Ferry (50), Michael Fitzgerald for Ciaran McFadden (55).
Referee: James Conners (St Eunan’s)
Tags: