Senior League D1: Coolaney/Mullinabreena 2.14 Curry 0.11

Report: Brian Marren.

The newly redeveloped Nace 'O' Dowd Park was the scene for this battle between two local rivals looking to build on opening weekend performances that left some things to be desired. It was the home team that jumped off to an impressive start, with a point from Barry Gorman igniting a litany of scores for Coolaney/Mullinabreena, with Raymond Connolly and Darren Coleman among the early scorers. The hosts kept up their impressive start through the first 15 minutes of action, often pinning Curry back into their own half and scoring off of frees, courtesy of Raymond Connolly, and jumped out to a 7 point to no score lead. It all changed in the second quarter of action, as Curry launched into a large offensive, inspired by newcomer Red Og Murphy, who finished his chances with aplomb. When the whistle blew for half time, it was all square, with Coolaney/Mullinabreena left wondering how they let their lead slip.

In the second half however, the hosts, not wanting to get dragged into a close battle, came out with fresh impetus and sprung to a 3 point lead as the clock hit the 35 minute mark, with substitute Nathan Mullen providing much needed width to their attack. As Curry pushed to close the gap, Coolaney/Mullinabreena landed a huge blow, with the industrious Sean Gorman finishing off a spectacular move with a clinical finish for a goal. This proved to be a killer blow as it allowed the hosts to sit back and pick Curry off on the break, with scores from Daniel Davey and the ever reliable Connolly. Curry gamely continued their pursuit of the lead, with Murphy, Sean Davey and Dennis Coffey leading from the front.

The coup de grace came when replacement Gavin Gorman was brought down in the large rectangle. Connolly duly converted the ensuing penalty and Coolaney/Mullinabreena looked to be out of sight. While the visitors were encouraged by Stephan Connolly's red card for a second bookable offence, they were left fruitless in their attempts as Coolaney/Mullinabreena dropped numbers back to protect their lead. Ultimately, the home side were able to manage the remainder of the game and come away with a 2:14 to 0:11 win and must now look to their next round match against St. Mary's, while Curry can be relatively happy with their performance in the 1st half, if not the result, and look ahead to a match up with Coolera/Strandhill with plenty to do.

C/M- Eoin McDonagh, Aidan Coleman, Stephen Barrett, Pearse Gorman, Anthony Walsh, Stephen Connolly, Conor McCormack, Cristeoir Davey, Declan McCormack, Barry Gorman(0.1) Raymond Connolly(1.05), Sean Gorman(1.02), Darren Coleman(0.1) Shane 'O' Brien(0.1), Kieran Finan(0.1). Subs: Daniel Davey(0.2) for Darren Coleman, Nathan Mullen(0.1) for Anthony Walsh, Gavin Gorman for Barry Gorman, Gavin Feely for Pearse Gorman, Kevin O’Kennedy for Sean Gorman(bc), Cathal Finan, Kieran Finan, Eamonn Gorman, Shane Marren, Niall Connolly, Paul Connolly, Shane Gormalley, James Henry, Kieran Doddy, Christopher Lee, Lorcan Callaghan, Colin Marren.

Manager: Padraig McGourty 

Curry- James McDonagh, Aaron Kearns, Stephen Marren, James Walsh, David McDonagh, Tommy Stenson, Conor McIntyre, Sean Colleary Denis Coffey, Oisin Higgins, Fergal Brennan, Patrick Burke, Kenneth Morley, Adrian Marren, Tommy Henry, Keith Davey, Red Og Murphy, Enda Walsh, Alan Reilly, Jack Maher, Blaine McIntyre, Conor Scanlon, Craig Gallagher, Sean Davey, John Feeney.

Manager: JP Duffy.