Oughterard edge past Dunmore MacHales in Galway SFC
Any doubts about the credentials or character of Oughterard’s footballers were put to bed following this pulsating senior football championship preliminary quarter-final in Pearse Stadium on Saturday, as the west Galway club qualified for a third consecutive quarter-final with a narrow 1-20 to 1-19 win over Dunmore MacHales.
Ryan Monaghan’s winning point on 62 minutes saw them edge past Dunmore MacHales in a game that saw the lead swing on six occasions. The winners also overcame two black cards, and an injury to defender Killian Noone in the warm up, to force their way over the winning line and set up a showdown with Salthill-Knocknacarra.
This was one of the most anticipated contests of the weekend and didn’t disappoint. Shane McGrath put Dunmore MacHales ahead after just 15 seconds and Padraig Costello added two points to put them three up with less than 90 seconds played.
Adam Tierney got Oughterard’s first point 60 seconds later, but they still trailed 0-7 to 0-4 on 10 minutes. Dylan Brady tallied for Dunmore and even though Matthew Tierney got three points from two kicks, their opponents hit back with frees for Padraig Costello and a two-point placed ball by Connor Gleeson.
That was the widest margin during the first half as Oughterard closed the deficit through Cian Monaghan and James Lowry. Colm Costello made it 0-8 to 0-6 before he was tripped and Oughterard full back Philip Gibbons received a black card from referee Thomas Murphy.
This was a critical spell, but Dunmore only stretched their lead by one. Padraig Costello got two scores as Cian Monaghan’s kick left Oughterard 0-10 to 0-7 down before being restored to 15 players. Midfielder James Webb was also providing an exhibition in fielding.
Matthew Tierney and Ryan Monaghan both gained orange flags for an 0-11 to 0-10 interval lead. And it nearly got better for Oughterard when Eric Lee was put through only for Jake Slattery to produce a stunning block. Dunmore MacHales overturned the deficit within two minutes of the restart through Colm and Padraig Costello.
The slight wind was with Michael Halliday’s team, but Oughterard provided their best spell with six points between the 37th and 40th minutes. Cathal Donoghue, Adam Tierney and Paddy Walsh all troubled the umpires while Lee started controlling affairs with a two-pointer from 50 yards and another white flag making it 0-17 to 0-12.
Thomas Gleeson won a Dunmore penalty on 41 minutes, and Colm Costello got their goal. Three minutes later, Oughterard replied as Lee spotted the unmarked Lowry who darted towards goal and found the bottom corner of the net.
Dunmore were also determined and outscored their opponents 0-7 to 0-1 thanks to two-pointers for Slattery (2) and Padraig Costello, plus a Thomas Gleeson point to lead 1-19 to 1-18. Ryan Monaghan scored before keeper Ciaran Noone was black carded for dissent. However, Donoghue and Ryan Monaghan injury time points got Oughterard over the line.
Ryan Monaghan, Adam and Matthew Tierney, Webb, Lee, Lowry and Eddie O’Sullivan stood out for Oughterard. Dunmore MacHales were best served by Brady, Slattery, Matthew Redington, McGrath and the Costellos.
Oughterard: C Noone; E O’Sullivan, P Gibbons, L Byrnes; Cormac Forde, R Monaghan (0-4, 1tp), A Tierney (0-2); M Tierney (0-5, 2tp), J Webb; C Monaghan (0-2), E Lee, C Donoghue (0-2); J Lowry (1-1), P Walsh (0-1), N Lee (0-3, 1tp).
Subs used: Colin Forde for Cormac Forde (44), D Creighton for Lowry (49), R Molloy for C Monaghan (56).
Dunmore MacHales: C Gleeson (0-2, 1tpf); D Forde, C Comer, D Brady (0-1); J Slattery (0-4, 2tp), S Murray, R Walkin; M Redington, S McGrath (0-1); B Carr, T Gleeson (0-1), L Murray; B Murray, P Costello (0-8, 1tp, 2f), C Costello (1-2, 1-0pen).
Subs used: S Mitchell for L Murray (10, inj), J Jordan for B Murray (49), D Reddington for Walkin (60), N Rattigan for T Gleeson (60).
Referee: T Murphy