Spa travelled to a sunny Gallarus on Sunday afternoon for round 6 of the Co League and conditions were ideal for football. A hat-trick by Mike Foley helped secure the victory and add another two county league points, which puts Spa top of the Co League Board at the half way mark.
Mike Foley and Niall McCarthy had two early points on the board before Pádraig Óigí Ó Sé added two for the home side, the first effort punched over and the second from a mark. The first Spa goal came in the 12th minute, Mike Foley doing well to work the ball in and played it off to Niall McCarthy who managed to get a shot past the crowded defence. Mike O’Donoghue almost added a second Spa goal shortly after, but his effort was well saved by goalie Shane Ó Grifín and went out for a ‘45 which Gary Vaughan converted moments later. At the end of the first quarter Spa were leading 1-3 to 0-2.
Caoimhghín Ó Beaglaoich kicked over a point for Gaeltacht but Evan Cronin replied for Spa at the other end just a minute later. The second Spa goal came in the 20th minute, Mike Foley intercepted a kick out, bolted towards the goal and rattled the net. However, An Ghaeltacht raised the green flag themselves just two minutes later, Caoimhghín Ó Beaglaoich with a long sprint right through the Spa defence got his shot past James Devane to make it 2-4 to 1-3 with 22 minutes on the clock. Evan Cronin (2) and Mike O’Donoghue swapped scores with Pádraig Óigí Ó Sé and Tomás Ó Sé and at half time Spa were ahead at 2-7 to 1-5.
Within five minutes of the restart An Ghaeltact had added three quick points, one from Padraig Ó Sé and two from Cathal Ó Beaglaoich to reduce the gap and make it 2-7 to 1-8. Evan Cronin settled the Spa side with two well-taken frees but the home side came very close on a second goal at the end of the third quarter, a long high ball dropped in towards the goalmouth and midfielder Briain Ó Murchú broke it down on the edge of the square, but James Devane managed to deflect the shot and it was cleared.
Cian Murphy won a great ball at midfield and played it into the Spa forward line, Shane Cronin collecting the pass and punching over the bar. Niall McCarthy fielded the next ball brilliantly and worked it in to Mike Foley who netted the third Spa goal in the 49th minute to make it 3-10 to 1-8. Éanna Ó Conchúir and Ryan O’Carroll exchanged points before Cian Murphy was making a run straight for goal but was brought down, the goalie receiving a black card and Mike Foley converted the resulting penalty in the 58th minute.
Evan Cronin kicked the final Spa point and An Ghaeltacht added two late scores from Éanna Ó Conchúir and Cathal Ó Beaglaoich as the game ended Spa 4-12 An Ghaeltacht 1-11.
Well done to our team and management. Next weekend our seniors will be at home to St Marys in round 7.
Spa: James Devane. Brian Lynch, Eoin Fitzgerald, Eric O’Donoghue, Ryan O’Carroll (0-1), Shane Cronin (0-1), Gary Vaughan (0-1), Ciarán Spillane, Liam Kearney, Mike O’Donoghue (0-1), Evan Cronin (0-6), Niall McCarthy (1-1), David Spillane, Cian Murphy, Mike Foley (3-1). Subs: Conor Stack, Mikey Moynihan, Shane Lynch, Michael Kearney, Thomas Cronin
An Ghaeltacht: Shane Ó Grifín, Fiach Ó Loinsigh, Caoimhghín Ó Beaglaoich (1-1), Gearghal Ó Cuanaigh, Gearóid Mac an tSaoir, Adam Mac Amhlaoibh, Ciarán Ó Coileáin, Cathal Ó Beaglaoich (0-3), Briain Ó Murchú, Steven Ó Conchúir, Pádraig Óg Ó Sé (0-1), Conn Ó Riagáin, Pádraig Óigí Ó Sé (0-3), Éanna Ó Conchúir (0-2), Tomás Ó Sé (0-1). Subs: PJ Mac Láimh, Colm Ó Muircheartaigh, Naoise Mac Gearailt, Cathal Ó Fiannachta
Referee: Brian Fleming (Currow)