Co League Rd 7 Division 1

Venue: Spa 21st May 2022

Spa 1-16 St. Marys 2-6

Referee, Padraig O Sullivan signalled a minutes silence for Tom Morris of Spa before the start of the game in Spa on Saturday night. Niall McCarthy opened the scoring sheet in the first minute getting Spa off to a great start. Evan Cronin added another point before St Marys replied with a great score from corner forward Pauly O Donoghue. A few wides on both sides until young Cian Murphy slotted over the bar in the 8th minute. St Marys were playing very defensively and fouled Evan Cronin who added another point to his tally. Spa picked up the pace with Mike Foley very unlucky not to score a goal but in fairness to the visitors deserve great credit for keeping the ball out of the net. St Marys worked the ball up the field to land the ball to full forward Anthony Cournane who scored their second point of the night. Spa replied with points from Cian Murphy and a free for Mike Foley. Yet again Spa kept the pressure up and a great shot by Cian Murphy was superbly defended by Josh O Sullivan who deflected out for a 45. Gary Vaughan struck short for the 45. Spa had loads of possession in the last 10 mins of the first half and their shots just wide of the posts until the 29th minute when substitute Cian Tobin (On for injured Niall McCarthy) shot over a lovely score. Both sides fouled in the last minute with both registering points from frees from Mike Foley and Anthony Cournane bringing an end to the first half with Spa leading 0-8 to St. Marys 0-3.

The commencement of the second half saw midfielder Ciarán Spillane score a beautiful long range point. However, St. Marys came fighting back with a goal from the impressive Pauly O Donoghue. Spa responded with great points from Mike Foley and Ciarán Spillane all from play. St Mary’s Anthony Cournane slotted over another score from a Mark. Spa rallied a great move from defence to result in a great goal with a combination of Evan Cronin and Cian Tobin to sink the ball behind the goalie Mike Daly. Spa had control and took advantage of lack of St. Marys sub bench. Aidan O Shea introduced fresh legs while St. Marys didn’t have that luxury. Points from Mike Foley, Cian Tobin, Ciaran Spillane and Evan Cronin increased the lead. Anthony Cournane scored St Marys second goal in the 23rd minute. Kain O Shea added to the visitors but the game was over at this stage and Spa pulled away with a final score of 1-16 to 2-6. A valiant effort from the Caherciveen side who only had one sub and are crippled with injured players at the moment. Fair play to the home team who showed great skill throughout the game and worthy winners.

Spa: James Devane, Brian Lynch, Eoin Fitzgerald, Eric O Donoghue, Ryan O Carroll, Shane Cronin, Gary Vaughan, Ciaran Spillane(0-2), Liam Kearney, Shane Lynch, Evan Cronin, Niall McCarthy (0-1), Conor Stack, Cian Murphy (0-2) and Mike Foley (0-5, 4F). Subs: Cian Tobin(1-2), Eoin Cronin(0-4 1F), Mikey Moynihan, Michael Kearney and Rian O Neill.

St. Marys: Mike Daly, Ferdia Greaney, Patrick Cournane, Josh O Sullivan, Kieran O Drisoll, Conor O Shea, Alex Coffey, Darragh O Sullivan, Jack Daly, Mark Quigley, Conor Quirke, Mark O Shea (0-1), Kain O Shea (0-1), Anthony Cournane (1-3, 2F) and Pauly O Donoghue (1-1), Subs: Adam Quirke

(Photos: Anne Holland)