Reynolds’ late point rescues Shannon Gaels

Shannon Gaels 1-8
Kilrush 0-11

THE Senior B final ended in a welter of excitement in Cooraclare last Sunday, with Shannon Gaels’ Seán Reynolds pointing the equaliser from 40 yards, two minutes into injury time.

When Peadar McMahon pointed his fifth free on the hour mark, putting Kilrush ahead for the first time in the second half, it seemed the town team would get the better of their neighbours from the estuary.
Although they had dropped off for much of the second half, the Gaels had the resolve to create an equalising opportunity with Fergal Kenny and John Neylon, both raiding from the full-back line, combining to place Reynolds, who calmly shot over to force a replay.
However, it must be noted the Gaels would have been far adrift of Kilrush were it not for the superb performance of Keith Ryan in their goalmouth. Ryan made at least four excellent stops with his full-length second-half save from Ruaidhrí O’Connor the pick of them. The Shannon Gaels goalkeeper’s performance was one of the finest seen in Clare club football this year.
Shannon Gaels settled much quicker than Kilrush, with John Paul O’Neill, Brian Cunningham and Shane Tubridy pointing them 0-3 to 0-0 ahead.
Playing into the car park end, Kilrush went on to kick five unanswered points, with Padjoe McGrath, O’Connor, Stephen Sweeney and Jim Young putting them 0-5 to 0-3 up.
Minutes before half-time, John Paul O’Neill was fouled in the square and John Neylon sent the penalty low to the right of Tony Burke, who went the right way. Noel Kennedy and O’Neill added late points to leave the Gaels leading 1-5 to 0-5 at half-time.
Seven minutes before the break, Kilrush introduced Peadar McMahon, who went on to kick five points from frees, while Donal O’Sullivan was brought on after the interval. Both played important roles in helping Kilrush to play much better in the second half.
Points from McMahon and Stephen Sweeney established a one-point lead for Kilrush as the end approached. It looked as if Kilrush were about to end their year with a cup but Reynolds’ point saved them.
Keith Ryan, Fergal Kenny, Seán Reynolds, John Paul O’Neill and Shane Tubridy were best for Shannon Gaels, while Stephen Sweeney, Eoin Tarrant, Chris Dixon, Peadar McMahon and Donal O’Sullivan did well for Kilrush.
The replay will be staged on Sunday at 4pm in Cooraclare when extra time will be played if necessary. Both teams were prepared to play extra-time last Sunday but the intermediate final would have been delayed had that happened.

Shannon Gaels: Keith Ryan; Brian Bermingham, John Neylon, Fergal Kenny; Michael Coughlan, Frank Cleary, Tomás Cleary; Michael O’Donoghue, Noel Kennedy; Brian Cunningham, John Bermingham, Seán Reynolds; Shane Tubridy, John Paul O’Neill, David Neylon.
Subs: Tomás Madigan for Michael Coughlan, Brian O’Shea for David Neylon and David Neylon for Noel Kennedy.
Scorers: John Paul O’Neill (0-3, 0-2f), John Neylon (1-0 pen), Michael O’Donoghue, Brian Cunningham, Noel Kennedy, Shane Tubridy and Seán Reynolds (0-1 each).
Kilrush: Tony Burke; Seamus Bolton, James Hehir, Niall Gilbride; Matthew Moloney, John Hayes, Niall Clancy; Chris Dixon, Jim Young; Padjoe McGrath, Cathal Lyons, Darragh Bolton; Stephen Sweeney, Eoin Tarrant, Ruaidhrí O’Connor.
Subs: Peadar McMahon for Pajdoe McGrath, Donal O’Sullivan for Niall Gilbride and Alan Daly for Darragh Bolton.
Scorers: Peadar McMahon (0-5f), Stephen Sweeney (0-2), Padjoe McGrath, Eoin Tarrant, Jim Young (f) and Ruaidhrí O’Connor (0-1 each).
Referee: Michael Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane).