Tony Brennan

Glasdrumman. G.A.C wish to put on record our gratitude to DR. Eddie Harney from Saul, for his prompt, compassionate and timely treatment of our injured player Sean McDowell. Although competitors on the day, the true spirit of camaraderie and good sportsmanship came to the fore at this crucial time. Credit is also due to   our physio Chris Magorrian  match referee Shane Lowey and his team of officials for their astute assessment of the situation and the professional manner with which they handled it.  We wish Sean a speedy recovery and thank the ambulance crew, those members of the Saul team who called in at the Downe Hospital to enquire after him, to the medical team in the Downe for their care and to Dan and Aileen for their attendance and attention to Sean.

 

Glasdrumman achieved an historic first by booking their place in the Intermediate championship semi-final after a dour, dogged and determined performance against their Div 2 bogey team of last season Saul.   The game opened with a quick point from Raymond Magorrian to put Glasdrumman ahead.  Then a quick move up field by the speedy Saul, gave the Glasdrumman defence a very early wake up call. A timely intervention from Paul Brennan saved a certain goal. Saul then equalised with a point from Michael Vint.  Glasdrumman broke from the kickout  with Pat Mallon fielding well in midfield to pass the ball on to Raymond Clarke who saw his effort fall into the arms of Saul Keeper Frank Holland. He cleared the ball up field and it broke loose in the Glasdruuman half Sean McDowell and Hugh McGrath both went for the ball and the unfortunate incident listed above happened just 6 minutes into a very even contest.

 

Conaire Harrison took to the field at the restart in the place of his injured colleague.  Glasdrumman added another point from a free from Raymond Magorrian. Saul who will maybe rue the extra pass they seemed to take when a score was “on were only able to add one more point in spite of having some great chances. Glasdrumman on the other hand, playing with a point to prove saw Mark Trimble’s speculative effort drop over the head of the Saul keeper and into the net for the only goal of the game.  Further points from Cormac Murphy and Raymond Clarke saw Glasdrumman go in at half-time leading 1-04 to 0-2

 

The second half was a very stop start affair with niggling frees being conceded by both sides.  Both defences had to cope with some attacking flair from both sets of forwards with Clarke, Magorrian, Murphy and Mooney all vying to get the next score.

Saul through Vint and Napier added another 3 points to their tally in the second half, a poor return on the possession they had.  Glasdrumman’s defensive unit soaked up the pressure and with some fine interventions from O’Neill, Brennan, Trimble Carr and both Burns’s ensured that Glasdrumman keeper McDowell did not have to lift the ball from the back of the net. The keeper himself made some very timely interventions.  Glasdrumman with points from Raymond Magorrian, Cormac Murphy and Raymond Clarke ensured that Glasdrumman stayed ahead to put the team into the hat for the semi-final draw.  The only dark clouds for the semi –final are the loss of Sean McDowell through injury and Brian Burns for a straight red card.

 

Final score Glasdrumman 1-7   Saul 0-5

 

 A dogged performance where every player showed great commitment to the cause.   Our thanks to all our supporters who came out in such great numbers to cheer the team on it means a lot.

 

We congratulate the Down Minor team on the magnificent win against Offaly to reach the All Ireland Final and wish them every success against Mayo on the big day.

We also send out congratulations to St.Joseph’s Pipe band Glasdrumman on their All Ireland victory at the Fleadh in Letterkenny and our thanks to them for letting Big Declan   back to play such a vital part in our win.

 

Glasdrumman:  Ronan McDowell, Francis O’Neill, Kevin Burns, Paul Brennan, Mark Trimble(1-0), Brian Burns, Colm Carr  Pat Mallon  Declan Grant Sean McDowell (sub Conaire Harrison) Raymond Magorrian (0-4), Raymond Clarke(0-1), Shaun Brennan (sub Paul McDowell), Cormac Murphy (0-2) (Capt.), Mick Mooney (sub Gary  McGreevy).  Subs Sean McVeigh, Daniel McCartan,  Arthur McCartan, John McAteer, Paul Grant Martin o’Neill

 

Saul :  F.Holland, P.Holland, G.Holland, M .Stratton,A.Brady, D.Ritchie, H.McGrath (Capt.) J.Napier (0-1) ,A .King, M.Vint(0-3),C.O’Neill (0-1). N.Napier.