Eastern Gaels made a little more Meath GAA history today when we travelled to Masterson Park in Ardcath to play St Vincent’s in our first ever League game. In an entertaining game, the home side made full use of the wind advantage in the second half and their excellent shooting saw them home on a scoreline of 2-16 to 0-04.
Eastern Gaels started the game with a number of players who have not played competitive GAA for a good few years and can be very happy with the performance in those circumstances with a lot of good things to build on.
St Vincent’s were first on the scoreboard with a well worked point after 3 minutes. The visitors were playing well but registered two wides in their opening attacks before Josh Hayes raised the largest cheer of the day with a fine point to tie the scores. A dangerous Ardcath attack was stopped by an excellent tackle by Craig Magill but Vincent’s registered the next point.
Daniel Hatch was called into action making a fine save in the Gaels goal before Simon Corrigan tied the scores again with a fine point from a flowing move halfway through the half. Aaron Browning was linking defence and midfield well with Ross Molloy showing for plenty of ball and James Tobin working hard.
The wides kept coming for the Gaels however as the home side added a brace of points, the second from a free. Daniel Hatch made another excellent point blank save before Aaron dropped a dangerous free into the Vincent’s goalmouth with Morgan Reid fisting just wide.
Eastern Gaels introduced some fresh legs with Seán Collier replacing Harry Doorley and Prince Khumalo coming on for Robbie Duggan. The home side were finding their range however and registered three further points in the last five minutes of the half.
Our luck was not in with the last play of the half when Josh finished a shot off the post to the net but the referee had already blown for a free to the Gaels.
Half time: St Vincent’s 0-07, Eastern Gaels 0-02.
Facing a strong wind in the second half, we began well with an excellent point from Ross. In the next attack Vincent’s crashed the ball off the crossbar before opening their second half account with a free. An important interception by Fionn McLoughlin stopped a promising home attack but their forwards were beginning to take full advantage of the wind. They scored the next four points kicking some excellent scores from distance.
Diarmuid Monahan was introduced for Tomas Quinn and Ian Day came in for Craig Magill as Gaels continued to battle.
An Ardcath free halfway through the half bounced off the crossbar and trickled over the line and their next attack also yielded a goal to put a very unfair slant on the scoreline. Gaels defended resolutely with Isaac Barbara and Kevin O’Rourke getting through a lot of work alongside Aidan Mulligan who received a yellow card for abruptly halting a Vincent’s attack.
Aaron pointed a free after a foul on Josh and the attack showed encouraging signs with Seán, Prince, Ian and Josh combining well around the half forward line. Ardcath tacked on the last few points to leave a final scoreline of 2-16 to 0-04.
Given the tricky conditions and the lack of game time of over half the Eastern Gaels team the signs are encouraging that better things are not too far away. There were some excellent passages of play, some strong performances and a great attitude shown by all which bodes well for the future.
Eastern Gaels: Daniel Hatch, Fionn McLoughlin, Aidan Mulligan, Kevin O’Rourke, Isaac Barbara, Aaron Browning (0-01f), Craig Magill, Ross Molloy (0-01), James Tobin, Harry Doorley, Morgan Reid, Josh Hayes (0-01), Robbie Duggan, Simon Corrigan (0-01), Tomas Quinn.
Saturday, 23 March 2024
