ST GERALD'S FALL SHORT IN FINAL BID


Connaught Telegraph
Mayo GAA News 30 April 1997


St Patrick's Academy Dungannon 1-10

St Gerald's College (Castlebar) 0-3

John Melvin reports from Croke Park

I suppose, football, like life itself, can be harsh, even painfully cruel. When dreams become reality all is well. But when the dream of All Ireland football glory turns into the bitter disappointment of a ten point deficit, it can have a shattering effect. And I'm sure many of the lads who played in this Senior Colleges All Ireland 'A' final dreamed their dreams of a day in the sun, climbing up the famed steps of the Hogan Stand (although the presentation on this occasion took place in the New Stand), and lifting the silverware to the delight and cheers of their adoring supporters.

Alas, it didn't quite work out that way for St Gerald's College, Castlebar, who found a crack Dungannon team just one bridge too far in their quest for All Ireland glory at Croke Park on Sunday.

The reality too was a far cry from the dream itself. The pouring rain, just after the throw-in, turned the strength-sapping Croke Park heavy sod into a field of broken dreams, as St Gerald's found themselves being dictated to by a very mobile and strong Dungannon side. As they say, the best laid plans.... But you can never legislate for how good your opponents will play in the final, and in many ways St Gerald's were fortunate enough to be still in this game when the halftime whistle came and they were only two points adrift.

On a day when the ball squirted in every direction and at times it became a real dogfight to win clean possession, it was going to be a day when stamina and raw strength were going to be severely tested.

St Gerald's did not lack courage and it has to be said of them that they battled to the bitter end. But, it must be admitted, that the better quality football, and certainly the better quality ball, was coming from the boys from Dungannon.

This was particularly evidenced in their defensive clearances, and particularly from their full back, Paul McGuirk, the team captain who led by example and inspired those around him.

Unfortunately, St Gerald's did not have a player quite of the same mould, but the player who came closest was Niall Dunne who did all he could to keep his side afloat, when at times, they appeared to be sinking.

Great defence

That they didn't sink without trace is a credit to the performance of the defence who had their backs against the wall for so long but from goalkeeper Colin Ward, to Kevin Scahill, Adrian Marley, David Hayes, John Feeney, John Fahey and Anthony Dunne, there was no shortage of courage, but in some situations it wasn't enough to deny a better organised Dungannon attack.

But it would be fair to say that St Gerald's had to virtually defend as a team, and in many instances the half forward line were found helping out as the pressure mounted, particularly from the powerful running Dungannon midfielders, Conal Martin and Jarlath Quinn, who were well on top, despite the best efforts, and they tried hard, of Thomas Earley and Jamie Fitzmaurice.

Colm Staunton and Fintan McHale found themselves isolated figures in the attack. The few crumbs that came to them were not sufficient to make the impact that was needed on day when every opportunity had to be made count, while half forwards Kenneth Hyland, Michael Hoban and Colm Lyons had to spend more time going in search of ball and in helping to defend.

And yet, with four minutes to go to the interval, St Gerald's were only one point adrift. It should have been five or six. But Dungannon were missing the target more regularly than they were finding it and although Dungannon looked the stronger outfit, one sensed that if St Gerald's could keep the gap to reasonable proportions, they just might find something in reserve to make it a fight to the death.

Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way and it was a case of two goals- the one that counted changing the complexion of the game and the one that didn't, leaving St Gerald's with a huge uphill battle.

With both sizes suffering from early nerves and players slipping and sliding on the greasy surface, it was no surprise that scores were hard come by.

Present

Dungannon were given a present of their opening score, with the St Gerald's keeper Colin Ward, losing possession, having apparently been fouled, and the gift was punched over the bar. It could have been worse. It could have been in the net. It ws 0-3 to no score after fifteen minutes, Martin Early finally finding the range with a free, and Conal Martin kicking a marvellous point from play.

St Gerald's were finding it hard to get in deep enough to their opponents territory to hurt them. But with six minutes Colm Staunton picked up possession in the corner and cut in along the bye-line. He wisely opted to fist a point but it ended in the back of the net. There was a time such a goal won All Ireland medals for Kerry and Dublin on a regular basis, and it must have been one umpires' first game since those great games in the 70's, as he was quick in waving the green flag to signal the goal. Unfortunately, everyone else in Croke Park knew the goal couldn't stand, but the cheers were given all the same.

If nothing else, the goal lifted St Gerald's and when Colm Lyons produced a tremendous point and Kenneth Hyland followed with a similar score after good pass from Fitzmurice, the huge St Gerald's support had plenty to cheer about.

And even when Brian McGuigan added a marvellous point for the Dungannon lads just before the interval, St Gerald's had every reason to be feeling they were in with a shout, trailing by just 0-4 to 0-2, and having survived some scary moment in that opening half.

But by six minutes of the restart things began to look ominous for the Connacht champions. Martin Early landed a gem of a point and the same player followed with a free earned by full forward Richard Thornton, who was now being found on a more regular basis as a target man.

The disaster St Gerald's wanted to avoid occurred in the 47th minute. The high ball on such a wet day is always going to cause problems. It all depends where it breaks and that is where you ride your luck if nobody is reading the break. On this occasion it broke perfectly for corner forward Michael Rea who steered it to the.

The game had been drifting from St Gerald's. Now it lurched suddenly away from them and even further when Early stroked over another free. They did have a half-chance to get back in when Niall Dunne found himself inside the defence, but with little space. He shot for goal, but it was always rising and went over the crossbar. The points was still like manna from heaven, and was gratefully accepted to bring the gap back to seven points, with ten minutes remaining.

St Gerald's were still winning ball rugby style in the loose, but there was too much bunching, which left no room through that solid Dungannon defence, and although they did come close to squeezing one into the bottom corner, there was never any doubt that the Hogan Cup was heading, for the first time, to the Dungannon school, and deservedly so.

St Gerald's: Colin Ward, Kevin Scahill, Adrian Marley, David Hayes, John Fahey, John Feeney, Anthony Dunne, Thomas Earley, Jamie Fitzmaurice, Kenneth Hyland (0-1); Michael Hoban, Colm Lyons (0-1); Colm Staunton, Fintan McHale, Niall Dunne (0-1). Subs: Coleman Keane for John Fahey.

St Patrick's Academy Dungannon: Seamus Donaghy, Ciaran Gourley, Paul McGuirk, Ciaran O'Hagan, John P. McGeough, Conor McKeowan, William Lyons, Conal Martin (0-1); Jarlath Quinn, Darren Somerville, Brian McGuigan (0-1; Kevin Coary, Michael Rea (1-0); Richard Thornton (0-1). Martin Early (0-6- four frees).

Ref: P. O'Toole (Longford).



Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - April 1997