Gort na Mona 1-14 Pearse’s 0-7
Gort na Mona were very quickly into their stride and hit two early points before Pearse’s captain Piaras Donaghy struck over a free to get his team off the mark. Both sides were guilty of some glaring misses early on but the home side began to make up for it with some brilliantly executed scores. However, midway through the first half Pearse’s posted a score that could hardly be bettered at Croke Park, Paddy Nolan, from right-half back, gained possession and after a quick return pass from Michael Lavery, went past four Gort na Mona players and struck an excellent point from a quite acute angle. It proved a welcome break for Pearse’s as Gort na Mona stretched their lead towards half-time, Lavery, normally a real threat, seemed unable to get into the game in the first half and it was a couple of more points from Donaghy that barely kept them in the game as they trailed by 0-10 to 0-4 at the break.
The second half saw a better start from the away side, gaps were starting to appear on a bog pitch and Lavery was finally able to find room to go on one of his trademark runs and split the posts, another point by Christopher Mallon followed as the gap was cut to four points. This was to be the wake-up call that Gort na Mona needed and their superior strength showed as they began to dominate the game, in the heavy conditions Pearse’s began to struggle and their opposition took advantage to stretch their lead once again, the final nail in the coffin was when Gort na Mona scored the only goal of the game, Colm Heaney, operating at full-back, couldn’t be faulted as he was left with two men. Another Lavery point cut the gap again but was to prove Pearse’s final score as Gort na Mona ran out ten-points winners, a scoreline which flattered them but nevertheless they were deserved winners.
With a three-week gap to their next game, manager Martin Hill will be hoping to lift his team for the last three matches of the season.
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Man of the Match: Piaras Donaghy
Pearse’s: D.Magee, M.Neill, C.Heaney, S.Menamin, A.Goodall, M.Gallagher, P.Nolan(0-1), P.Donaghy(0-3), L.Kelly, A.McCavana, F.McStravick, M.Lavery(0-2), J.Begley, C.Mallon(0-1), D.McErlean. Subs: C.McCool, D.McCracken
Pearse’s 2-5 Sarsfields 1-6
For the second week in a row Pearse’s were very slow to start the game and within eight minutes of the start found themselves a goal and a point behind. The normally reliable Piaras Donaghy was finding it difficult to find his range though eventually he did makes amends with a well-taken score to get his side off the mark. As the rain continued to fall in the first half scores were hard to find for both teams but a five-minute spell towards the end of the half turned the game on it’s head. Still trailing by four, John Gillespie fielded a great ball and, having fed the ball off to Danny McErlean, found the ball returned to his hands thirty yards, spotting the Sarsfield’s keeper slightly out of position he managed to intelligently place the ball in the top corner of the net. Not to be outdone, a couple of minutes later the home side were pushing for the equalising score when they were awarded a free twenty yards out, the quick-thinking Donaghy elected to go for goal and smashed the ball into the net off the crossbar giving the keeper no chance. This put Pearse’s into the lead for the first time in the game and another Sarsfield’s point shortly before half-time left the minimum between the teams at the break.
The heaviness of the pitch showed in the second half and a Michael Lavery point was Pearse’s only score for a long period as Sarfield’s started to show their experience and dominate the game. Lavery was booked for an off-the-ball challenge and McCavana followed him into the book shortly after for dissent as the Pearse’s lads were losing their concentration and the game. Neill and Menamin at corner-back were scrapping for every ball and winning most but had no viable option to feed the ball out to, likewise the fine workrate of Magennis got no reward as he harassed the Sarsfield’s defence. James Begley had returned to the team after a long absence and his speed and trickery was a handful for the opposition, at one stage to ghosted past two defenders only to be dragged down, as he got to his feet the referee elected to give the advantage only for Begley then to be taken down by the keeper, the referee waving away protests for a penalty. With the game approaching the final five minutes the Pearse’s mentors attempted to galvanise their team as they trailed by one point. As they won yet another 45’, Donaghy stepped up and held his nerve to brilliantly put the ball straight between the posts. With the scores level the home side sensed victory and pushed forward, a sideline ball was awarded 40 yards out and despite appeals to slow the game down Fra McStravick paid no heed and struck a magnificent point to send his team ahead. Less than a minute later, with the home side driving forward again, Lavery used his speed to run at the Sarsfield’s defence and strike the killer blow for Pearse’s. Atwo-point victory but more importantly a game that showed that they have great character and can respond under pressure.
Man of the match: Piaras Donaghy
Pearse’s: D.Magee, M.Neill, L.Kelly, S.Menamin, P.Nolan, A.McCavana, A.Goodall, P.Donaghy (1-2), F.McStravick(0-1), M.Lavery(0-2), C.Magennis, J.Gillespie(1-0), J.Begley, D.McCracken, D.McErlean
Pearse’s 1-10 Ardoyne 1-8
Aside from Colm Heaney and Niall Largey, Pearse’s were at full strength with under-16 starlet Daniel Magee taking over the n0.1 slot. Ardoyne got off to a tremendous start, posting over four points in the first seven minutes as the Pearse’s defence couldn’t cope with the speed of the Ardoyne forwards whose shooting was faultless. Slowly but surely Pearse’s worked themselves into the game with Fra McStravick beginning to show his influence. Within five minutes he had posted over two of his sides first three points, these sandwiched by a Michael Lavery score after good work by Piaras Donaghy. A further score by Lavery brought the scores level with once again McStravick being the provider. Possession was the name of the game as both sets of half-forwards were moving the ball and creating chances, once again Ardoyne took the lead only for Christopher Mallon to level shortly after. Mallon then embarked on a wonderful fifty-yard run only to be thwarted by a fine save from the Ardoyne custodian, from the resulting play Ardoyne took the lead with a well-manufactured score. Five minutes from the interval the Ardoyne forwards left the opposition defence in its wake as they broke at speed and scored the games first goal to open up a four point gap. At half-time approached a well-pointed 45’ from Donaghy was the final score of the half as Ardoyne went off three points to the good.
An injury to centre-half back, Martin Gallagher, forced a switch for Pearse’s with Aodhan McCavana showing his reknown versatility by slotting into his position and Declan McCracken coming into the full-forward line. Pearse’s came flying out of the stalls in the second period and points from Lavery and Charlie Magennis brought the sides to within a point of each other. Though named at half-forward, Magennis was effectively playing as an extra half-forward and his movement and surging runs were troubling the Ardoyne backs. The Kickhams again stretched their lead as the game ebbed and flowed but yet again Pearse’s refused to lie and when John Gillespie was fed by Magennis he was able to pick out Lavery with an exquisite pass, and give him the simplest of tasks in putting the ball in the net. Pearse’s were now ahead for the first time in the game and it was Ardoyne’s turn to press forward, their pressure resulting in an equalising point with only six minutes left on the clock. With gaps starting to appear Pearse’s pushed for the winning score and Gillespie scored a well-deserved point after a smashing move involving five players to put them ahead. The Pearse’s full-back line of Neill, Kelly and Menamin withstood extreme pressure in the closing minutes as once again Ardoyne pushed for an equaliser but after a long clearance by Paddy Nolan it was fittingly left to Michael Lavery to kick the final score of the match and leave Pearse’s with a hard-fought two point victory.
Man of the match: Michael Lavery
Pearse’s: D.Magee, M.Neill, L.Kelly, S.Menamin, P.Nolan, M.Gallagher, A.Goodall, F.McStravick(0-2), P.Donaghy(0-1), A.McCavana, C.Mallon(0-1), M.Lavery(1-4), J.Gillespie(0-1), C.McCool, C.Magennis(0-1) Subs: D.McCracken, R.Donnelly, D.McErlean, K.Montague
St.John’s 1-9 Pearse’s 0-6
Early points were exchanged in the opening couple of minutes as Fra McStravick opened the scoring for the away team. Though on paper the St.John’s team were much older and experienced than Pearse’s it didn’t show greatly in the first half and an excellent score from John Gillespie and a Piaras Donaghy free kept them in touch. Although it seemed that St.John’s were at times able to break forward at will, some resolute defending from Colm Heaney and Stephen Menamin and confident goalkeeping from Daniel Magee kept them at bay. Half-time saw St.John’s leave the field with a four point lead.
Gaps appeared for both teams in the second half and once again the early exchanges were fairly even, at this stage Aodhan McCavana had moved to a more familiar midfield role with Donaghy slotting in at full-back. This allowed McCavana to grab a great score though we was guilty of a glaring miss after electing to use his weaker foot to take a score, and a Connor McCool point keep the away team within touching distance. As Pearse’s strived to get closer they produced some great passages of play with Charlie Magennis and Michael Lavery getting more involved yet time and time again players were creating space and then making a simple mistake to lose possession and eventually concede scores. With five minutes another score from Donaghy meant there was only four points between the two teams but the strength of the opposition was beginning to take it’s toll, after giving their all the fatigue of the much younger Pearse’s team was clear to see and St.John’s added on a goal and two points to add a touch of flattery to the scoreline.
This was a determined effort by the minor team as they were facing a much stronger team yet for the most part of the game they gave as good as they got and it was difficult to note any real difference between the two teams.
Man of the Match: Piaras Donaghy
Pearse’s: D.Magee, C.Heaney, A.McCavana(0-1), S.Menamin, A.Goodall, M.Gallagher, P.Nolan, P.Donaghy(0-2), F.McStravick(0-1), J.Gillespie(0-1), C.Magennis, M.Lavery, M.Neill, C.McCool(0-1), K.Montague. Sub; R.Donnelly
Pearse's 1-12 O'Donnell's Óg 2-3
After two successive defeats, the Pearse’s minor team were looking to make it third time lucky at Mallusk against O’Donnell’s Óg, an amalgamated team from O’Donnell’s and Eire Óg.
The game started quietly and the two sides swapped a couple of points each with Piaras Donaghy taking both scores for the home team. Both sides were guilty of missing relatively easy chances and there was little to choose between them until Michael Lavery struck Pearse’s ahead after good work from Christopher Mallon. Though O’Donnell’s Óg once again equalised two frees from Donaghy were enough to leave the Pearse’s two points ahead at the break.
The second half started with Pearse’s seemingly taking control of the game, by now McStravick and Donaghy were running the middle of the park with Martin Gallagher ably assisting at centre-half back. Points from Lavery and substitute Daniel Magee extended the lead and it looked like plain sailing until O’Donnell’s Óg struck a goal against the run of play to leave a solitary point between the two teams.
This was the catalyst the home team needed and for the next fifteen minutes produced their best football of the season, the half forward line of Gillespie, Mallon and Lavery left the opposition spellbound with their passing, movement and fielding. O’Donnell’s Óg had no reply as the home side grew in confidence, in this period, Mallon, Lavery, McStravick and youngster Kevin Montague all split the posts and Lavery showed excellent to stop the keeper off his line and score a goal with a delightful chipped shot. The only negative aspect of this period was the severe concussion suffered to Paddy Nolan who was enjoying his usual flawless game, it wasn’t a bad tackle just one that he came off second best in.
O’Donnell’s Óg added a bit of respectability to the scoreline with a second goal but a fine fisted effort from young Magee and a further score from Lavery sealed an impressive win for the home side, one which is sure to have pleased manager, Martin Hill.
Man of the match: Michael Lavery
Final Score: PEARSE’S 1-12 O’DONNELL’S ÓG 2-3
Pearse’s: N.Largey, M.Neill, A.McCavana, S.Menamin, P.Nolan, M.Gallagher, A.Goodall, P.Donaghy(0-3), F.McStravick(0-1), M.Lavery(1-4), C.Mallon(0-1), R.Gillespie, R.Donnelly, C.McCool, D.McErlane. Subs: K.Montague(0-1), D.Magee(0-2), C.Heaney
Pearse's 0-4 St.Brigid's 1-12
The first minor team to be fielded by Pearse's in almost twenty years played their opening league game against St.Brigid's at Mallusk and the conditions were not for the faint-hearted.
With a very young team compared to other minor squads, Coach Marty Hill realises that this year will simply be one that will gain his lads some much-needed experience and provide a stepping-stone for further years. This showing will have been very encouraging as for half the game Pearse's matched St.Brigid's for every tackle and never looked out of their depth. A couple of points from Piaras Donaghy and a galloping point from centre-half back by Marty Gallagher were enough to leave Pearse's only a point behind at the break, and Gallagher, McCavana and Nolan at the back were first to every ball as they nullified their more illustrious opponents.
An injury to McStravick forced him to be deployed at corner forward and his influence at midfield was badly missed in the second half as St.Brigid's, aided by a strong wind, stepped up another gear and scored some great points in what was by now becoming almost unplayable conditions. Even against the wind, and a team that was physically bigger than them, the minors never stopped trying and gave their all right up to the final whistle.
With only one division at minor level their will be no such thing as an easy game but if Marty Hill can get his charges to show the same determination and passion in every game this season then they are bound to put the frighteners on a few of the so-called bigger teams. Fielding a minor team is an achievement in itself and hopefully the boys will be able to take a lot of positives from this showing.