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Macs on target for county title
 By
David Tthorpe
Sean McDermotts were given the fright of their lives by Erin Go Bragh
but their greater experience told in the end as they claimed their 10th
county title in 13 years.
With the wind at their backs in the first-half underdogs Erin Go Bragh
built up a tidy lead courtesy of two points each from their impressive
wing-forwards Micheal Harrigan and James Mulcahy.
But despite their dominance on the scoreboard Go Bragh were far from in
control of the general play. McDermotts looked the far slicker outfit
and they opened their account with a Micheal Hayden point.
Leo Scanlon added another score as McDermotts started to find their feet
while Harrigan replied for Go Bragh.
McDermotts are not used to being pushed like this and with half-time looming
a piece of magic was required and it was delivered when Peter Kelly played
a stylish ball through the heart of the Go Bragh defence. It was snapped
up by Joey Dowling and with his mentors beckoning him to send it over
for a point he opted for a shot at goal and rifled the ball into the top
corner of the net.
That left McDermotts a point behind at the interval but with the prospect
of the wind at their backs in the second-half.
As the stormy weather began to make its presence felt at the start of
the second-half so Erin Go Bragh had to weather a renewed storm from McDermotts.
It seemed essential that Erin Go Bragh get the first score of the second-half,
and although they did that through Andrew McAlinden Scanlon was in flying
form for the Macs and he made great use of the space he won and veteran
captain Peter Kelly converted the frees.
That was enough for McDermotts to level matters and eventually race into
the lead. With time winding down Go Bragh levelled through Aidan McAlinden
but a pair of late points from Scanlon and Hayden settled matters.
It was a day to remember for Laois native Ossie Bennett who as collecting
his 10th Warwickshire title while Galwayman Peter Kelly won his ninth.
McDermotts have been consistently the best team in Warwickshire this year
and were well worth their win while Erin Go Bragh have a young team who
will surely collect county titles in the years to come.
McDermotts will now face London Intermediate champions Thomas McCurtains
in the British Championship in the second weekend in October. |
