Claremorris crushed by Garrymore’s passion

Claremorris crushed by Garry’s passion


SFC Section 1
Garrymore 2-9
Claremorris 0-4

Michael Commins
Garrymore

PROUD Garrymore launched their senior championship campaign in style with an emphatic win over neighbours Claremorris on Saturday evening. No one could have envisaged the winning margin in this derby clash and the abysmal return of just four points for Claremorris must be the lowest ever in the history of the club.
Passion and pride in the jersey are traits long associated with Garrymore and, when the flow of the tide was in their favour during the second half, they delivered a sterling performance that brushed Claremorris aside.
On the first half display, one would have to say that neither team could have been considered serious contenders for county honours.
Garrymore led by 0-4 to 0-3 at the end of a forgettable half. Johnny Griffith cut a dash with the opening point for Claremorris but it was to herald only a false dawn for his side. Brian Walsh and Shane Meehan swapped points from frees before Enda Varley slipped through to fire over a fine score for Garrymore.
The home team took the lead for the first time midway through the half when Jimmy Killeen floated over an excellent long range point from a free out on the sideline. Varley, showing plenty of drive and foresight, landed a fine score some minutes later.
Garrymore, now beginning to dominate the game, should have moved further ahead. Brian Walsh and Jimmy Killeen were wide from scoreable frees. They suffered a setback when referee Liam Devenney gave a red card to Brian Lynskey a few minutes before half-time. Three other players received yellow cards in the same incident.
The industrious Brian Gallagher fired over a wonderful point for Claremorris a minute later and the gap was down to the minimum. But it took a confident save by Alvin McCallig to deny Enda Varley an almost certain goal just before the break.
The second half belonged to Garrymore. Their defence, where the super fit David Dolan and the excellent Caolan Crowe were truly inspirational, dealt admirably with all that Claremorris had to offer. Such was their dominance that they curtailed the visitors to a single point in this half, a fine individual effort from Donal Feely from out on the sideline.
Jimmy Killeen was the star of the second half. He scored a splendid tally of 1-4, with just two from frees.
However, the goal that really killed off Claremorris was scored by Brian Walsh, a lovely finish after a sideline ball from Anthony Jordan. Killeen’s late goal was the icing on the cake and even Trevor Nally from the half-back line got on the score sheet with a superb point in the last minute.
This was a sweet win for Garrymore and one that gives them a chance of progressing to the last eight. The entire defence of Anthony Jordan, Caolan Crowe, Jarlath Varley, Trevor Nally, David Dolan and Martin Maloney, as well as goalie Morven Connolly, did a superb job as can be gauged from the paltry returns by Claremorris on the evening.
Anthony Cunningham had an excellent game at midfield while Shane Nally did well, even though not on his usual game. Jimmy Killeen was the star of the attack with Enda Varley, Brian Walsh and the very hard-working Jamie Burke also showing well for the homeside.
This was a dismal performance by Claremorris and one they will have to shrug off immediately if they are to retain any prospects of battling for a quarter final place.
No fault can be laid at the feet of Alvin McCallig who did well between the posts. Johnny Griffith, Padraig Ring, Sean Prendergast and Alan Feeley were the top defenders. Brian Gallagher did well at midfield and worked exceptionally hard for his team. Only Shane Prendergast made an impact in the forward line, especially during the first half.

Garrymore
M Connolly; A Jordan, C Crowe, J Varley; T Nally (0-1), D Dolan, M Maloney; S Nally, A Cunningham; J Killeen (1-5, 3fs), B Walsh (1-1, 1f). J Burke; E Varley (0-2), B Lynskey, M Fallon.
Sub used: I McWalter for J Burke (inj).

Claremorris
A McCallig; B Fahy, D Egan, P Ring; J Griffith (0-1), S Prendergast, A Feeley; B Gallagher (0-1), S Prendergast; L Feeley, M Gallagher, A Healy; D Feeley (0-1), C Griffith, S Meehan (0-1f).
Subs used: T Griffin for S Meehan, D Commons for L Feeley.

Referee: L Devenney (Ballina)