Dunmore MacHales overpower St Michaels in Division two league final
Dunmore MacHales secured the Division two football league title when overcoming St. Michael’s in Athenry on Friday evening. A very strong first half performance when playing against the wind laid the foundation for Michael Halliday’s side, before an impressive third quarter ensured that they were comfortable in securing the title.
Dunmore’s Colm Costello opened the scoring for the north Galway side in the second minute with a point from the right wing, before St. Michael’s equalised through J.D. Boyle. The city side then got a major boost with a goal from David Moloney, whose long range point effort dropped over the head of Dunmore ‘keeper Shane Geohegan.
Halliday’s charges didn’t panic, however, and responded with 1-2 of their own. Shane Mitchell and Pádraig Costello pointed, while the latter also had a goal chance well saved by St. Michael’s ‘keeper Stephen Daly.
Three minutes later, however, Dunmore had their first goal, and it was Matthew Reddington who demonstrated great footwork before finishing impressively past Daly. Eoin Kerin and Eoin Gacquin pointed for St. Michael’s at the other end, either side of a pointed free from Pádraig Costello, leaving Dunmore 1-4 to 1-3 ahead.
Dunmore soon had their second goal and this time it was Shane Mitchell who fired a powerful low shot to the net after Barry Murray’s pass put Mitchell through on goal. The city side responded with a score from David Cunnane and an excellent two pointer from Gacquin, either side of Colm Costello’s second score for Dunmore at the other end.
Just as St. Michael’s had closed the gap to two, however, their opponents struck for their third goal. County player Shane McGrath delivered a good ball into Reddington, who played it across the square for the inrushing Thomas Gleeson to finish to the net.
It left Halliday’s side ahead by 3-5 to 1-6 at half time and they were in no mood the slow down when the play resumed. With the wind behind them, Dunmore dominated the third quarter and outscored their opponents by 0-7 to 0-3.
McGrath demonstrated his quality by sending over a two pointer from the right wing two minutes into the second half. Pádraig Costello (two), Reddington, and Jake Slattery tacked on further scores while McGrath added to his tally with another single point effort.
St. Michael’s added scores during the same spell from Darragh O’Malley (free) and Gacquin (2 point free), but the city side found themselves chasing a nine point deficit midway through the second half. They also appeared to have what looked like a legitimate goal not given on the scoreboard.
A shot from Kerin flew into the top corner and appeared to hit the back stanchion before bouncing back out over the goal line. Despite the protestations of the St. Michael’s players and management, referee Ciarán Harkin waved play on.
The city side subsequently had a good six minute spell in the middle of the second half, during which they outscored Dunmore by 1-2 to 0-1. Mikey Maguire and Gacquin (’45) pointed while Liam Brannigan struck a well taken goal after good work from Maguire and Dillon Gacquin.
Colm Costello sent over his third point during the same spell for Dunmore, as their nine point lead was reduced to five. Halliday’s charges, however, finished the game strongly, outscoring their opponents by 0-4 to 0-2 during the final ten minutes.
Scores from Ruairí Walkin, Pádraig Costello (two point free), and Padraig Martyn wrapped up the result for Dunmore, while St. Michael’s finished with a two-point free from Gacquin. Overall, it was a well deserved win for the north Galway side, who had impressive performances on the day from Finian Cronin, Shane Mitchell, Matthew Reddington, Shane McGrath, Pádraig Costello, and Colm Costello.
St. Michael’s had stand out displays from Ethan Fiorentini, Eoin Kerin, David Moloney, David Cunnane, and Eoin Gacquin on the day.
Dunmore McHale’s: S. Geohegan; F. Cronin, D. Forde, C. Meehan; S. Mitchell (1-1), S. Murray, D. Reddington; S. McGrath (0-3, 1x2 pointer), M. Reddington (1-1); R. Walkin (0-1), T. Gleeson (1-0), J. Slattery (0-1); B. Murray, P. Costello (0-6, 0-2 frees, 1x2 point free), C. Costello (0-3). Subs: N. Rattigan for Murray (44), L. Murray for D. Reddington (44), C. Comer for Meehan (44), M. Connolly for Gleeson (58), P. Martyn (0-1) for Costello (58).
St. Michael’s: S. Daly; S. Kerr, S. Connaughton, J. Browne; J.D. Boyle (0-1), E. Fiorentini, E. Kerin (0-1); D. Moloney (1-0), R. Mac Giolla Rí; G. Summerville, C. Morley, D. Gacquin; E. Gacquin (0-8, 2x2 point frees, 1x2 pointer, 0-1 free, 0-1 ’45), D. Cunnane (0-1), D. O’Malley (0-1 free). Subs: M. Maguire (0-1) for Morley (HT), L. Brannigan (1-0) for Boyle (46), F. Daly for Summerville (52), D. McGovern for O’Malley (60).
Referee: Ciarán Harkin (Annaghdown)