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THE SLIGO CHAMPION
Wednesday, November 12th 2003

Henry in top form as Gaels lift U-21 title

SHAMROCK GAELS……………..0-14
CALRY/ST. JOSEPHS..…………..1-8

SHAMROCK GAELS clinched the U-21 ‘B’ Championship with a three point victory over Calry St. Josephs in an exciting game played at blustery Ballintogher last Sunday. Shamrock Gaels went into this game as underdogs and fielded a very young side against a physically stronger Calry St. Josephs.
The game was played at a very fast pace with both teams eager to end the year on a high note and in the end there was very little between the sides with the Gaels just edging out Calry St. Josephs with three quick points in the closing stages and had keeper Donal Tuohy to thank for two point blank save that kept them in the match in the final quarter.
The main difference however between the sides was Man of the match and Gaels captain John Paul Henry who scores seven of the Gaels points with an impressive display.
Calry St. Josephs played the first half with the advantage of the breeze and opened the scoring in the first minute with a point from the impressive Benny O’Reilly. The Gaels responded immediately with a point from Rory Willis after good approach play from Colin Burke. Calry St. Josephs responded with points from Colin O’Hara and Robert Boyd. Calry St Josephs were on top in the opening stages delivering long balls into the full forward line which the Gaels defence found difficult to deal with however they failed to transfer this possession into scores and had a number of wides.
Joe Quinn pointed in the seventh minute for the Gaels and this was followed by a point from a free from John Paul Henry. Calry St. Josephs were awarded a penalty in the eleventh minute after Benny O’Reilly was dragged down in the square after a great run. The penalty was converted by Alan Maguire who shot low and hard and gave Tuohy no chance in the Gaels goals. This should have been the turning point in the game and when Calry St. Josephs nearly got in for a second goal on the re-start the feeling was they were going to go on to win the game.
However the Gaels did not read the script and Henry pointed from a free to leave two points between the sides which was followed by two wides from Calry. The Gaels should have got in for a goal in the eighteenth minute when Colin Burke put Eoin McDermott in on goal however he blasted wide when he should have hit the back of the net.
The Gaels were well on top now and Joe Quinn scored a great individual point after a forty yard run. This was followed by a good long range point from Fergus Horan for Calry and John Paul Henry for the Gaels to leave the scores even at half time however either side could have been in front as they had three wides each as the half ended.
In the second half Henry opened the scoring with a point from a fifty in the opening minute and this was quickly followed by a point from Alan Maguire for Calry St. Josephs and Maguire added another a minute later from a close range free. Benny O’Reilly who was giving the Gaels defence a difficult time pointed in the eighth minute as Calry St. Joseph enjoyed a period of dominance. John Paul Henry pointed from a free on ten minutes and midfielder Conor Kelly responded for Calry St. Josephs on fifteen minutes after a mistake in the Gaels defence.
This was to be Calry St. Josephs last score of the game however they continued to put the pressure on the Gaels and were denied a second goal after a point blank save from Gaels keeper Donal Tuohy after a shot from substitute Conor Nally. Phillip Murphy scored for the Gaels as the pace of the game lifted going from end to end. Tuohy again came to the rescue as he saved from Calry’s best player Benny O’Reilly.
Rory Willis brought the sides level in the twenty fifth minute after a good move that started with corner back Padraig Cassidy. This was quickly followed by a point from Niall Henry while at the other end Calry had two wides. John Paul Henry scored two more points from frees in the closing stages to go three points up.
The Gaels had to withstand severe Calry St. Josephs pressure at the end and with five minutes additional time played they had numerous chances for goals however the Gaels defence were solid and held on for a deserved victory on a scoreline of 0-14 to 1-8. The cup was presented to Gaels Captain John Paul Henry by County Board Vice Chairman Andrew Hannon.

Shamrock Gaels: Donal Tuohy, Michael Hannon, James Lyons, Padraig Cassidy, Keith McMorrow, Derek Davey, John Paul Henry (capt) (0-7), Phillip Murphy (0-1), Joseph Quinn (0-3), Niall Henry (0-1), Colin Burke, Rory Willis (0-2), Eoin McDermott. Subs used: Francis Quinn for Eoin McDermott (48 min).

Calry St. Josephs: Gino O’Boyle, Fiachra Coyne, Brian Hynes, Damien Gannon, Ciaran Maguire, Ciaran Coyne, Vincent Nally (capt), Conor Kelly (0-1), Fergus Horan (0-1), Robert Boyd (0-1), Alan Maguire (1-2), Colin O’Hara (0-1), Benny O’Reilly (0-2), Subs: Conor Nally for Robert Boyd (20 min), Keith Raymond for Conor Nally (54 min).

Referee: Thomas Walshe (St. Michaels).