We were entertained to a fine game of football this Saturday evening at Robert McCallion Memorial Pitch. It took the home team some time to get going but when they did they played some beautiful football.
The first 18 minutes was all Tourmakeady as they played with the strong wind. After 8 minutes they were three points to nil up with scores from Donal Breathnach, a great sideline ball from Caoimhin O’Dolain and Stiofan Stundun while Swinford had three wides. Tourmakeady soon had doubled their lead with a point from Brian O’Neachtain and a free from O’Dolain and a 45 from Brian O hEanachain.
There was 18 minutes gone before Swinford got a score from Jack McDonnell but this was soon followed by two more with a fine point from Kevin McShea and one from Tom Horkan. Then came the crucial point of the half as Joe Kelly was adjudged to have fouled a Tourmakeady forward in the box and a penalty was awarded by referee Garryowen McMahon. Swinford goalkeeper, Ryan Convey making his Championship debut made a great save. O Neachtain added a fisted point minutes later to leave Tourmakeady 4 ahead. Swinford added two points before the break with one from Jack McDonnell off the crossbar and one from Eoin Gallagher, which stemmed from great work by McDonnell dropping deep to collect the ball and feeding Gallagher.
Just before the whistle Tourmakeady had a great chance to extend their lead when a goal chance went just wide of the post. With only two points in it at half time and a strong wind in their favour Swinford were in a graet position.
Swinford made one change at the break with Michael Walsh coming in for Kevin McShea. From the throw in Swinford won the ball and Stephen Henry got his hands on it and scored his first point of the game. Brendan de Phriondargaist soon restored Tourmakeady lead but Swinford then took control of the game. Barry Brennan won a free after been fouled by O hEanachain which was kicked over by Jack McDonnell and the game was soon level with a great point by Stephen Henry from 40 yards out.
John Carney was introduced for Barry Brennan after 9 minutes. Within 2 minutes Swinford were three ahead with points from Stephen Henry, Eoin Gallagher and John Carney. The pick of the three coming from Gallagher after a quick lineball from James Devaney.
The game was over as a contest on 13 minutes when James Devaney finished to the back of the net following some good work from Stephen Henry. The game entered a quiet phase and Jack McDonnell added another point before O Dolain got a consolation point for Tourmakeady after 25 minutes. Swinford finished the game with points for John Carney and Jack McDonnell.
Swinford started nervously but when they got started they played some nice football with only 1 of their total of 1-14 coming from the deadball. Stephen Henry really got a grip of the game in the second half and while scoring 3 points set up a few more scores.
As Hollymount beat Burrishoole 1-12 to 1-8 we must get a better result in the last weekend of fixtures then Burrishoole to progress to the quarter finals. The Hollymount-Carramore game is fixed for next Saturday at 6-30 in Hollymount.
Hard to pick out Swinford best players as they had many but the midfield pair of Eoin Gallagher and Joe Kelly dominated, the half back line cleaned up a lot of ball and in the forwards Jack McDonnell and Stephen Henry led the way while Ryan Convey controlled his area very well, dealt with any high balls and saved the penalty very well.
Swinford: Ryan Convey, Jason Carney, Mary Forkan, Paul McNicholas, Fergal Harte, Dermot Keane, Liam Moran, Eoin Gallagher (c), Joe Kelly, Stephen Henry, Kevin McShea, Tom Horkan, Jack McDonnell, Barry Brennan, James Devaney. Subs used: Michael Walsh, John Carney, Darren Campbell, Paul McDonagh.
Scorers: McDonnell 0-5, Devaney 1-0, Henry 0-3, Gallagher 0-2, Carney 0-2, McShea 0-1, Horkan 0-1.
