“Stabannon Come Of Age With Huge Win”
CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship Quarter-Final
From Protection and Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre in Darver
Referee: Colm McCullough
Stabannon Parnells 0-11 : 0-7 Sean O’Mahonys
Another game under the lights in PPFS Darver, another win for Stabannon Parnells as they made their way to the CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Final as they defeated Sean O’Mahonys.
It may be their third win under the lights but this one felt different, a coming of age performance you could say. They were presented with a challenge that they had not met before in Sean O’Mahonys who are a hardened and well-tested championship outfit. The manner in which Parnells’ dealt with this task deserves nothing less than a semi-final spot. Shane Sweeney & Eamonn Callaghan will be proud of how their young side navigated this evening’s match, clearly sticking to the plan throughout – no matter what chaos unfolded.
Sean Reynolds and Colm Giggins produced their best games of the championship so far and must be credited with how they physcially matched their opponents around the middle. The two mentioned done a lot of the heavy lifting for their side as they allowed the younger cohort around them clock the miles up and cause difficulties for Sean O’Mahonys.
The game began with Harry Butterly knocking over a two-point free from the deck before Sean Cassidy got Sean O’Mahonys off the mark with a fine score. Butterly hit a tremendous two-pointer just before the 7th minute, this time from play as he perfectly judged the Darver breeze to raise an orange flag. Thomas Rice hit back with a hand-pass effort to leave the sides at 0-4 to 0-2 on 15 minutes.
Sean Reynolds struck a classy score to break a long 15 minute gap from their last score. Harry Butterly added to their tally before Ryan Shevlin ended the half with a superb two-pointer from an angle. In a half that scores were difficult to come by, Stabannon’s two-point scoring ability proved it’s importance once again as they led by 6 going in at the break.
Half Time. Stabannon Parnells 0-8 : 0-2 Sean O’Mahonys.
Terry Kelly got the first score of the second half on 37 minutes with a free from a central angle. Minutes later, Harry Butterly hit another two-pointer from a free off the ground to leave his side with a 0-10 to 0-3 lead with 20 minutes remaining. Then, Terry Kelly landed a monstrous two-pointer off the ground to narrow the margin. Hopes of a O’Mahonys revival were given a huge boost when Jake Corrigan was shown a black card for a pulldown on Luke Kelly. Terry Kelly converted the close range free that resulted to leave his side within four points. Despite the belief within the SOM’ camp of a comeback, their last score would come on the 22 minute as Terry Kelly got a good score from play. The remainder of the half was a struggle for them to open any doors for themselves. Stabannon Parnells defended with extreme discipline, affording little to no goal opportunities and also ensuring the ball was intelligently ran out of danger. Sean O’Mahonys were reduced to 13 men in additional time when Luke Kelly and Aaron Boyle were sent off. Harry Butterly knocked over a late free, the last action of the game. Stabannon Parnells were through to a historic semi-final.
Full Time. Stabannon Parnells 0-11 : 0-7 Sean O’Mahonys.
Player of the Match:
Sean Reynolds (Stabannon Parnells): It is hard to look beyond the Stabannon midfielder as he stood up to the physical challenge that was presented his way. He was in for special attention throughout the game but expertly handled himself while also been his sides most influential player around the middle. Teed Butterly up numerous times and also got a classy score of his own.
Other Notables:
Colm Giggins (Stabannon Parnells): Giggins was a close second to Reynolds. He is one of Stabannon’s more experienced players and to his credit, showed this today. He was a brilliant presence around the games contests and made crucial blocks.
Christopher O’Neill (Sean O’Mahonys): A full hearted player who gave everything for his side this evening. He defended excellently and made several turnovers to try inspire the Sean O’Mahonys.
The bigger picture:
Stabannon Parnells will feel a sense of satisfaction with this result. As said previosuly, it was a challenge that had not came their way until this evening. They handled it brilliantly and visibly had their homework done in all the correct areas. Defended in a discipline manner and used the right spaces to attack.
Sean O’Mahonys never got firing this evening and will be disappointed with their exit. It was a tough evening for football and they would have hoped to have more scores on the board earlier in the game. Battled valiantly but left themselves too much to do late on.
Stabannon Parnells Team:
Michael Lynch; Johnny McGee, Alan Reynolds, Daniel Clinton; Jake Corrigan, Bobby Butterly, Richard Rodgers; Colm Giggins, Sean Reynolds (0-1); Ryan Shevlin (0-2), Dylan Shevlin, Conor Clinton; Padraig Reynolds, Ryan Halpenny, Harry Butterly (0-8 – 2tpf, 1f).
Subs: Robert Callaghan for Ryan Halpenny (38 Mins), Mark Byrne for Bobby Butterly (61 Mins).
Sean O’Mahonys Team:
Conor Finnegan; Stephen Kettle, Christopher O’Neill, Oisin Breen; Gary Cawley, Aaron Boyle, Sean Cassidy (0-1)); Brian McGuirk, Gareth Hall; Tiarnan Cassidy, Thomas Rice (0-1), Dauda Shoyato; Terry Kelly (0-5 – 2f, 1tpf), Kyle Carroll, Aaron Mackin.
Subs: Luke Kelly for Gareth Hall (Half Time), Stephen Kilcoyne for Stephen Kettle (49 Mins), Stephen Kettle for Brian McGuirk (59 Mins), Gareth Hall for Sean Cassidy (60 Mins).
