This article is from page 70 of the 2011-05-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 70 JPG
Feakle 1-20 Meelick 1-12 at Shannon
WITH only two qualification places available from each group following the restructuring of the championship, every group game takes on added significance. Add in the fact that Feakle and Meelick are not among the bookies favourites to advance and that must win mentality became manifold on Sunday in this championship opener.
Feakle took the honours with a bit to spare after taking advantage of the conditions in the first half to build up a 12 point advantage and being able to respond when Meelick finally gathered momentum late in the game.
Central to the victory was Gary Guilfoyle who was their chief marks- man, both from full-forward and later as ball winner around midfield with an impressive total of 12 points, eight of those from play.
On the flip side, Meelick will be disappointed that they didn’t start motoring until the final quarter and will wonder how they would have fared had they had the advantage of the wind in the opening half. However, they will feel satisfied that they are on the right road again after further blooding some of their emerging talent from the Árdscoil Rís stable. County minor Damien Moloney was Meelick’s most outstanding player from centre-back; schoolmates Oisin Hickey, Bobby Sherlock and Colin Ryan all featured while one of last year’s Harty Cup winners Sean O’Connor was their most prominent forward.
However, what Meelick lacked was a tagetman such as Gary Guilfoyle as well as the experience of a Feakle side most of whom featured in the 2009 intermediate final.
With a gale at their backs, Feakle eased to a 0-12 to 0-03 advantage by the 19th minute, with Under 21 Guilfoyle grabbing half of that total.
Goal chances were few and far between but after pulling wide just beforehand, Killian Bane broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute by finishing to the net after Damien Moloney had stopped Cathal Collins’ initial effort.
It prompted Sean O’Connor to go for goal at the other end from a 20 metre free soon afterwards but it was saved as Meelick trailed by 1-14 to 0-05 at the break.
Two further Gary Guilfoyle points immediately on the resumption pushed the leaders a seemingly unassailable 14 points clear. However, Meelick finally used the wind to their benefit and toppled the lead mainly through the free-taking of Sean O’Connor.
Still, it was only when O’Connor set up substitute Greg Daly for a 55th minute scrambled goal to cut the deficit to only five that Feakle became nervous for the first time in the game.
But with Henry Hayes moving to centre-back, they stopped the supply and finished strongly to open their 2011 account and build up confidence ahead of tougher challenges ahead.
Feakle
Eibhear Quilligan, Paddy Daly, Colm Naughton, Peter Collins, Padraic Hogan,Alan Hogan, Francis O’Grady, Ger Hanrahan (0-1 s/l), Henry Hayes, Raymond Bane (0-2), Colin Nelson (0-2), Killian Bane (1-2), Stevie Moloney, Gary Guilfoyle (0-12 3f, 1’65), Cathal Collins (0-1)
Subs
Ronan McGuinness for Moloney (18 mins, inj), Enda Murray for A. Hogan (52 mins),Tommy Moroney for C. Collins (62 mins)
Meelick
James Duffy, Sean Cooney, Richard O’Grady, Kenneth Keane, Bobby Sherlock, Damien Moloney (0-1),AdamSherlock (0-1), Eanna Mulvihill (0-1),WilliamO’Shaughnessy, Dara Quinn (0-1), Sean O’Connor (0-6 5f), Gary Callinan,Alan Markham(0-1), Oisin Hickey (0-1),AndrewWhyte
Subs
Donal Thomas Broggy for B. Sherlock (37 mins), Colin Ryan for Whyte (39 mins), Ger Markhamfor Callinan (44 mins), Greg Daly (1-0) for A. Markham(49 mins)
Man of the Match
Gary Guilfoyle (Feakle)
Referee
Fergie McDonagh (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)