14-man Pearses die with their boots on

Ballymartle 1-10Padraig Pearses 0-10

STEPHEN GLENNONIN TEMPLETUOHY

IF America is the home of the brave, then the parcel of land incorporating Ballymacward and Gurteen must be its Irish microcosm. For Padraig Pearses gave it their all in this intriguing All-Ireland intermediate hurling semi-final in idyllic Templetuohy on Sunday. And the Galway champions lost little in defeat.

Too often, the term ‘a brave effort’ can be bandied about, but in Pearses’ case it was justly deserved. Up against more stylish opposition, John Jenkins’ charges – reduced to 14 men after just 12 minutes – raged against all the odds, and looked like they might snatch a win, or at least force extra-time, in this absorbing clash against Munster champions Ballymartle.

In a clash of this stature, there was bound to be talking points . . . and in this penultimate game of the competition, there were many. The first couple came within 60 or seconds of each other, namely the pivotal Ballymartle goal on 11 minutes and the dismissal of Pearses wing-back Tommy McDonagh moments later.

Although starting brightly enough, with Thomas Flannery shooting the contest’s opening point from a free, the Galway men were dealt a huge blow when Ballymartle corner forward Jamie Dwyer, following a neat pass from brother Barry, found the net on 11 minutes. That score put the Cork title holders into a comfortable 1-4 to 0-1 lead.

Calm heads were now needed from the Tribesmen. However, a rush of blood to McDonagh’s crown moments later – when he pulled low on Ballymartle wing forward Darren McCarthy under the high ball – resulted in the Pearses No. 7 receiving his marching orders.

When Rory Dwyer converted the ensuing free to nudge the victors further in front, it seemed the Ballymacward/Gurteen outfit were going to be in for a torrid afternoon.

However, in the second quarter, Pearses began to steady themselves. Freetaker Flannery – who hit all of Pearses’ points on the day – traded scores with Ballymartle midfielder Seamus Corry and Darren McCarthy before the Pearses corner forward struck two points late in the half to leave them trailing 0-5 to 1-7 at the break.

Interestingly, Flannery’s point on 31 minutes was not only the Galway side’s first score from play, but it was also to be their only score from open play on the day. That, in itself, was a shocking indictment.In contrast, Ballymartle were able to conjure up their scores more freely in this period, and in the second half they began in similar fashion when, just 14 seconds in, Rory Dwyer scored a cracker from play.

Barry Dwyer (free) and McCarthy added further efforts in the third quarter to extend their team’s lead to 1-10 to 0-5 and it looked as if they would, at any moment, pry open the floodgates on the Westerners.

Yet, it never happened. With every passing moment, Pearses stomach’ for the battle just got stronger and stronger and their dogged determination, hard tackling and, most of all, insatiable spirit began to grind Ballymartle down.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.