St.Joseph’s Com.Col……………7 Carrigallen……………………..5
This u.17 tie took place against the back drop of terrible weather which had, rain, hail, a gale and then some calm, not that the players of either Charlestown or Carrigallen took any notice of what was going on from a meteorology point of view. Great credit must go to both teams for putting on a wonderful spectacle on a day when one would not ‘put the proverbial dog’ out.
With a fixture back log due to the poor weather the Carrigallen lads were coming off the back of a Gaelic quarter final the previous day which they won and their hosts were hoping to book their own place in the senior Gaelic semi final later on that evening!
It really is not fair on the young lads to expect so much and then to perform in Mock Exams a few days later but that’s a question for another day!
This game started off at a breath taking pace with Paddy Goldrick on top of his game, prancing and probing, every chance he got. A throw in by Conor O’Toole after two minutes caused havoc in the Carrig defence. Eoin Beirne kept his cool and placed a delightful shot in the back of the net to put the East Mayo lads in front. The lead was short-lived as Carrig broke quickly and scored a fine equaliser.
A snap shot from the skilful Luke Dunleavy put his team 2-1 up. With O’Toole and Goldrick running the show in the middle of the park the Charlestown lead was extended on 20 minutes. Goldrick picked up a pass from the middle and tore forward before dispatching an unstoppable shot beyond the despairing Carrig ‘keeper.
Five minutes later Charlestown won a free kick 25 yards from goal, O’Toole touched it to Goldrick who bent it around the defensive wall and beyond the goalkeeper; a truly outstanding piece of skill from a player who was really enjoying this outing. A 4-1 score line at half time would suggest that this game was over as a contest.
The second period started and perhaps the loudest cheer of the day was reserved for one Shekie Mitrovic who cheekily back heeled a corner kick to the net for his first school goal and more importantly perhaps the icing on the cake for the home side. Surely, a 5-1 score line meant the game was over, but no one told the Leitrim boys or if they did it was not going to be accepted!
The Carrig boys decided it was time to get going and a whirlwind lasting ten minutes mesmerised the Charlestown players. A somewhat softly awarded penalty brought the score to 5-2,a couple of minutes later it was 5-3 owing to a poor defensive clearance and then another cheeky back heel brought the score to an unbelievable 5-4.What was happening? How could this be stopped? Enter Matty Lenehan and Jack Mahon (yes, that Jack from the previous u15 game!).The two lads brought much needed composure. Young debutant Honeyman, in defence grew in stature. Goldrick re appeared after a quiet few minutes and the Eastern boys were in the driving seat once more.
A great break from Goldrick to the by line and his cross was dispatched to the net with some aplomb from Pádraig Duffy, raiding from defence, the Kilmovee mans first goal for the school also. Shortly after Lenehan drilled a low shot from a corner kick to the net. The Leitrim boys went to the well once more and while they got their 5th goal, time had elapsed in a contest no one wanted to end. And by the ways the Gaelic team won that evening as well! Tired boys, no doubt, but great sportspeople. When was the last time Charlestown won 3 games in the one day? Micheál Dunleavy will have his stats book out!!!!
Next up its Ballymote. What are the odds on another goal fest?