Galtee Gaels made the short journey to Ballylanders last Wednesday evening, April 3 to play Bruff in the South intermediate football championship.

Bruff started the game much brighter and stronger than Galtee Gaels. Galtee Gaels defended well throughout the first half but despite this it was Bruff that outscored Galtee Gaels 0-5 to 0-1 in the opening half. Galtee Gaels only score of the opening half came from the boot of Johnny Cleary.

Gaels continued to play some good football and work hard in the second half but Bruff proved to be too strong for Gaels and Bruff ran out comfortable winners on a score line of Galtee Gaels 0-5 Bruff 2-09. Gaels scores in the second half came from Liam Lane, Sean McGrath and Maurice O’Sullivan. This was a disappointing result for Gaels but it was great to see a number of younger players playing at this level for the first time.

Panel: J Mahony, P Cleary, R Fitzgerald, S O’ Donavan, I O’Connor, K Lane, P Moriarty, R Breedy, J Cleary (0-1), D O’Halloran, L Lane (0-1), S McGrath (0-1), K Hogan, T O’Dwyer, A Coughlan, P Cronin, M Leonard and M O’Sullivan (0-3).

ALL-COUNTY MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Mahoonagh 3-8 Galtee Gaels 1-5

Galtee Gaels minor football team, playing their first competitive game of the season, had to give way to a well balance and stronger West Limerick side at O’Mahony Park on Friday evening last.

Gaels, playing against the slope, had the better of the early exchanges with Shane McNamara pointing before Sean Casey set up Alan Coughlan for a goal all within two minutes. Further good possession was wasted before the opposition levelled the tally mid way through the first half. Sean Casey, took advantage of Jack Murphy’s and Sean Casey’s combination to restore the lead. With Gaels driving too many wides Mahoonagh equalised with a long range effort from the sideline and took the lead before half time.

After the restart Mahoonagh dominated the early exchanges and extended their lead to eight points. Gaels rallied to reduce this margin. Tommy Childs set up brother Bob for a point and Alan Coughlan adding to his tally. A Shane McNamara free completed the scoring. 
Mahoonagh’s defence improved considerably after the opening stages and they blocked down several scoring efforts. In contrast Gaels defence were forced to foul too often. Mahoonagh wasted few scoring chances while Gaels added to their wide.

Galtee Gaels team: Leo Walsh, James Conway, Ian Whelan, Sean Casey, Maurice O’Sullivan, Hugh Moloney, Jack Murphy, Tommy Childs, Sean McGrath, Ian O’Connor, Robert Childs (0-1), Alan Coughlan (1-1) and Shane McNamara (0-3). Subs used: Eamon Kelly, Edward Quinn, Eoin Gallahue and Padraig McGrath.

COUNTY DEVELOPMENT DRAW

Galtee Gaels had no winner in this month’s county development draw. The top prize of €15,000 went to Paul Rohan from Adare, Co Limerick.

FIXTURE

Galtee Gaels minor footballers will play Galbally on Sunday next, April 14 in Galbally. At the time of going to print the time of this game was not yet confirmed.