Galtee Gaels earn win over St Kieran's to secure Limerick SFC status
Goals from Bob Childs and Maurice O’Sullivan helped Galtee Gaels to victory over St Kieran’s
GALTEE Gaels secured with their senior status, when powering to victory over St Kieran’s on a 2-16 to 1-10 scoreline in their Irish Wire Products Limerick Senior Football Championship game in Ballyagran.
That, coupled with a defeat for Oola, saw them climb off the foot of the Group 1 table, to finish fourth. The defeat, a third of the season, sends winless St Kieran’s to the bottom, and into the relegation semi-finals.
Galtee Gaels did this without their talismanic leader, Tommie Childs, who couldn’t tog due to a recent back surgery.
Neither side had won a game to date, and at times, that uncertainty showed. But, thanks to a quickfire 1-2 from the boot of Bob Childs, this game changed early in the second half.
A sprinkling of two pointers saw them ease to victory, with the aid of the victory. Both sides had failed to win in their previous four starts, with St Kieran’s arriving to Ballyagran in more advantageous position, having secured an extra draw.
With the breeze blowing down the pitch at Paddy Carroll Park, Galtee Gaels opted to play against it. That never looked like back firing, although they did find themselves four points behind at half-time.
A strong start from Thomas Noonan’s Gaels saw them kick the opening two scores, both from the raiding Maurice O’Sullivan.
Wasteful St Kieran’s were sparked into life by 0-2 to 0-1 by the end of the opening quarter, when Liam Kennedy pointed. His two-pointer soon after meant the lead changed hands, before Conor McGrath replied.
Five first half wides, four of which were for two pointers, were costly for Seamus O’Donnell’s side .O’Sullivan netted a goal on 24 minutes but from here Kieran’s took over.
John Hayes landed a two-point free before Alan Daly added a single close in. Hayes has been a leading light for his side, and once again proved that when landing a lead goal on 29 minutes.
Poor tackling saw him curl over another free, again from 40-plus meters and despite Childs’ point in between, it was St. Kieran’s who led 1-8 to 1-4 at half-time.
For Galtee Gaels, their season ends with relief, while for the westerners, the relegation drama is perhaps only beginning. However, the second half would see just two points for the men in green and gold.
They were first and last score of the half, but in between 1-12 for Galtee Gaels eased them to the points. Childs buried a 37th minute penalty after Cian Ryan was felled close to goal.
He curled over a two-pointer within 30 seconds and the sides were level. Alan Condon was next to raise an orange flag, while Childs (two frees) and Eoghan McNamara helped swell out the margin.
A brace of exquisite two-pointers from Conor McGrath brought his total to five points and with it sealed the victory. Daly’s late reply was of scant consolation for St Kieran’s.
SCORERS – GALTEE GAELS: Bob Childs 1-5 (1-0 pen; 2f;); Maurice O’Sullivan 1-2; Conor McGrath 0-5; Alan Condon 0-2; Eoghan McNamara, Jack Ryan 0-1 each; ST KIERAN’S: Jonathan Hayes 1-4 (2 tpf); Liam Kennedy 0-3 (1 tpf); Alan Daly (2f) 0-2; Shane O’Mahony 0-1.
GALTEE GAELS: Danny McGrath; Seán O’Donnell, Declan Moriarty, Edward Quinn; Maurice O’Sullivan, Seán McGrath, Eoghan McNamara; Conor McGrath, Seán Clancy; Jack Ryan, Bob Childs, Maurice Fitzgerald; Cian Ryan, Alan Condon, Seán Casey; Subs: Eoin Gallahue for Quinn (56 mins); Conor McNamara for Casey (58 mins); Paddy English for C Ryan (58 mins); Conor Moriarty for Fitzgerald (60 mins).
ST KIERAN’S: Con Enright; Mossie Shine, Seán Ryan, Anthony Mullins; Joe Reidy, Brendan McCarthy, Mikey Long, Darragh Tracey, John Hayes; Adam Lacey, Conor McMahon, Liam Kennedy; Alan Daly, Shane O’Mahony, Kevin Meade; Subs: Aaron Heffernan for Reidy (11 mins, inj); Jack O’Sullivan for M Long (41 mins); Seán Long for Mullins (41 mins); Oisin Ryan for Meade (56 mins).
Referee: Michael Sexton (Bruree).