Michael's report on the Seniors v O'Donnells
Thought I'd put together a bit of a match report seeing as Conor Bradley has been out through various reasons.
PEARSES 1-2 O'DONNELL'S 0-10
In the second week of the season Pearses went to McRory Park and suffered a 13-point drubbing. In Thursday's return fixture at a wet, and at times windy, Falls Park, the Seniors were beaten by 5-points in what was a spirited and never say die performance.
Anthony Finn returned in goal meaning his able deputy, Patrick Dorrian, was able to take his place in the half forward line. Aside from Finn's return it was a weakened side with Colm Fitzsimons, Sean McDonald (both injury), Michael Connolly (school reports!) and Conor Bradley (holidays) all missing. It also appeared that Messrs Gough and McGreevy got lost somewhere between North Belfast and Falls Park.
All these absentees and the late arrival of Hugh Connolly meant only 16 players were available at the throw-in and it seemed to have quite a psychological effort on the team as they allowed O'Donnells to race into a 5-point lead, it seemed every ball in the middle of the park was being won or broken down by the opposition and Pearse were paying the price. As the first half went on Pearses improved and the makeshift side battled for every ball albeit unsuccessfully on a number of occasions, in between squandered chances, and a shot that rebounded off the post from Tomas O'Neill, Pearses made the scoreboard with a point from Declan Johnston and entering the late stages of the half they were giving as good as they got with Daniel O'Neill and Ciaran Wright, in particular, imposing themselves from the half-back line and providing ball for the midfielders and forwards to work off. As the half-time whistle was ready to sound tragedy struck as Daniel was forced off with what could ominously be knee ligament damage, just when he was starting to produce the kind of performance that he frequently shows in training.
Sean McDonald (standing in for the absent manager, Roddy) gave the half-time teamtalk and reminded the players that they were still in the game and to simply keep showing the spirit that they had displayed towards the end of the half. In the first 10 minutes of the second half the game ebbed and flowed as both sides struggled to get a foothold on the game and a couple of points for O'Donnells stretched their advantage and it looked like another drubbing might ensue. Fortunately Pearses showed the character that has been missing from their game on occasions, Seamus Kelly firing over a great point from right-half forward and then Andrew O'Neill setting down his pension book for a moment to slam home an excellent goal. A glimmer of hope was on the horizon and a couple of wasted opportunities went astray that could have narrowed the gap further though it must also be said that O'Donnells were also guilty of hitting wides and forced a couple of first-class saves from Finn in the Pearses goal. Another point towards the end sealed victory for the O'Donnells men who remain top of the division and on course for the title.
For Pearses it represented another defeat but all heads can be held up high considering they were missing some first choice players. Stand-outs were Anthony Finn, Daniel O'Neill and Ciaran Wright. Anthony, as ever, showed why he should be Mayo's No.1 with great ball placement and point blank reaction saves. It was sad to see Daniel leave the field on the stroke of half-time just as he was starting to dominate the half back line, the severity of his knee injury remains to be seen. Ciaran was also in the half-back line and epitomised the never-say-die character of the side by breaking up and disturbing a lot of O'Donnells play, in a position that is new to him he battled continously and also supported the midfield pair.