5th November 2006 - Credit Union County Senior Football League Division 1 Round 11 in Con Keating Park

St. Mary's 0-12 V 1-09 Castleisland Desmonds

St. Mary’s grabbed a morale boosting victory in their final game of their 5 year stint in Division 1 of the County League when they scored a 2-8 to 1-10 victory over fellow strugglers Castleisland Desmonds. Both teams will apply their trade in Division 2 next year as a result of this and adjacent results. A cracking 2-5 from St. Mary’s Austin Constable inspired the Cahersiveen side to victory over a Desmonds team who held a never say die attitude and even had a goal denied 5 minutes into extra time at the end of proceedings. Despite taking a 5 point lead early in the first half Desmond pulled level just before the break thanks to a Derry Prendiville goal. In a second half in which neither side got to grips with, it was the bottom placed side St. Mary’s with only one point to their name before the game that held out for the victory.

Castleislands John McGaley had the games opening chance inside 40 seconds when a great goal scoring opportunity slipped wide, but it was Austin Constable who raised the first green flag when keeper Ger Reidy could only parry a Niall O’Driscoll shot and Constable was on hand to net, O’Driscoll was involved again 4 minutes later when he combined with Darren Corcoran for Corcoran to slip over a handy point. It wasn’t until the 9th minute when the visitors opened their account when Kieran Brennan pointed a 30m free after a foul on Kieran O’Sullivan, three minutes later despite a brilliant Dermot Walsh block down from Kieran Brennan, Maurice O’Connell was on hand to slip the rebound over the bar. But just as Desmonds were getting a grip on the game, dominating the passion stakes, St. Mary’s seldom attacks punished Castleisland when Darren Corcoran floated a pass over the defence through to Austin Constable and Constable coolly added his second goal of the game and put his side 5 points to the good. St. Mary’s could only manage one more point before the break a 30m Constable special, while Desmonds battled hard till the short whistle and this paid deviance when Barry Lynch and John Brennan combined for Derry Prendiville to tap home from 2 yards. Lynch from a 45, Barry O’Neill and John Brennan all added points for Castleisland before the break as the sides went in level 2-2 to 1-5.

A John Brennan free opened the second half proceedings after a foul on Eric Nelligan, but three minutes later it was to be cancelled out when Constable who had a hat trick goal on the cards, went for the safe option with a point. St. Mary’s although under fierce pressure in the back line made their attacks count when Aidan O’Sullivan broke down yet another poor Desmonds attack and Niall O’Driscoll kicked a magnificent point only to be followed but an even better point from the man of the moment Austin Constable. Castleisland then make the tactical switch in brining full back and inter county star Mossey Lyons more into the game and it paid off straight away with Lyons kicking 3 points two from frees in 7 minutes to put his side ahead, but Constable once again pulled another superb score out of the bag this time from a 45m free. Diarmuid Walsh and Darby Buckley both exchanged points before the final whistle as Desmonds tried in vain to get the all important goal and it nearly paid off when Barry O’Neill had the ball in the back of the net only to be denied by referee Paul McGillicuddy for square ball after 65 minutes of football.

Best for the very much under strength home side and victors were Mike T O’Connor, Aidan O’Sullivan, Brian Curran, Daniel O’Sullivan, Niall O’Driscoll and Man of the Match Austin Constable who couldn’t do no wrong. While Castleisland Desmonds players to stand out were Mossey Lyons, Barry Lynch, Maurice O’Connell, Barry O’Neill and John Brennan. Both teams will now focus on their respective Divisional Championships while they will look forward to meeting again next year but this time in Division 2. Final score from Con Keating Park, Cahersiveen, St. Mary’s 2-08 Castleisland Desmonds 1-10.

Teams: St. Mary’s – Liam Sheehan, John P Mahony, John M Clifford, Mike T O’Connor, Dermot Walsh (0-1), Aidan O’Sullivan, Gearoid O’Driscoll, Declan O’Sullivan, Brian Curran, Daniel O’Sullivan, Austin Constable (2-5), Darren Corcoran (0-1), Sean Cournane, Niall O’Driscoll (0-1), Kevin Keane. No Subs.

Castleisland Desmonds – Ger Reidy, Tim Twomey, Mossy Lyons (0-3,2f), Niall Mitchell, Kieran O’Sullivan, Barry Lynch (0-1,1f), John McGaley, Darby Buckley, Maurice O’Connell (0-1), Kieran Brennan (0-1,1f), Eric Nelligan, Barry O’Neill (0-1), Derry Prendeville, John Brennan (0-2,2f), Niall Bergin (1-0). Subs – Noel Whelan for Derry Prendeville, Derry Prendeville for Niall Mitchell.

Match Stats
Wides, St. Mary’s (5) 7 Castleisland Desmonds (4) 9.

Frees, St. Mary’s (8) 19 Castleisland Desmonds (13) 25.

St. Mary's Sean Cournane Keeps A Close Eye On Castleisland's John McGauly