Fresher Div 3 All Ireland final
NUI GALWAY……………..2-13
IT SLIGO……………….2-11
By Michael O Connor.
NUI Galway captured in a high scoring exciting contest the Fresher Division 3 football league with a stirring comeback against IT Sligoat the Connacht GAA centre on Wednesday 2nd December. Both sides had caused upsets en route to the decider with wins over UCD and DCU in the semi finals. Both sides featured a strong representation of Connacht club players and a sizable attendance was present at the well appointed 3G surface at the Connacht GAA centre.
At the group stage in October NUI Galway scored a win over IT Sligo in Dangan but all present suggested that the two sides would feature at the latter stages of the competition. Conditions were ideal with as IT Sligo wing forward Phillip Patton opened the scoring after 2 minutes from a play and the intensity, speed and effort of both sides would have done credit at a higher level. NUI Galway full forward Sean Brogan responded in the 4th minute for the opening score for the Galway college. IT Sligo showed signs of real winners intent with two scores in as many minutes from Sean Meehan and the impressive Ryan Phillips. NUIGalway were in difficulty in the opening half in their rearguard coping with the pace of Phillips, Hennelly and Meehan. Galway county minor Conor Marsden scored the first of half a dozen scores before James Dowd levelled proceedings in the 13th minute.
NUI Galway were wasteful when they failed to score two gift goal chances in the first half including one miss from Sean Brogan at the end of the opening quarter. With this let off IT Sligo went on to dominate effectively the second quarter and were so close to actually closing out the game only for five wides in the last ten minutes of the half. Cathal Hennelly (2), Joe Reilly and Sean Meehan were all on target with points before IT Sligo struck what appeared to many present to be a double hammer blow to NUI Galway with two goals in as many minutes.
Firstly, Phillip Patton blasted past Jason Barrett in the NUI Galway goal then in the next attack as NUI Galway were recovering Ciaran Walsh raced clear to score as IT Sligo surged ten points clear, (2-8) to (0-4) entering the final five minutes of the first half. It was now critical for a response from NUI Galway to make the second half competitive and respond they did with (1-2) as the goal came from bustling full forward Sean Brogan as Conor Marsden kicked a brace of frees to leave IT Sligo (2-8) to (1-6) clear at the break.
The speed of the movement in the first half appeared to take its toll on IT Sligo as they were very much on the back foot for the second half despite scoring the opening point of the new half courtesy of Phillip Patton (free). With ten minutes of the restart NUI Galway had drawn level with (1-3) as Ryan Forde showed a tremendous turn of pace to score a wonderful goal. Conor Marsden, Jamie Smith and Gerry Canavan with the equaliser left the side deadlocked on (2-9) apiece entering the final 15 minutes.
IT Sligo were now on the backfoot and defended well against NUI Galway who took the lead from Sean Brogan and extended it with Conor Dolan in the 50th minute. Conor Marsden who excelled scored his sixth point in the 57th minute as IT Sligo now required a goal to force extra time at the Connacht GAA centre. Try as they might they managed just two points before James Dowd had the final score for NUI Galway to seal the title for Kevin McKittrick and Pat McHale’s men.
Best for the winners were Ryan Forde, James Dowd, Conor Dolan, Conor Marsden, Sean Brogan, Cormac O’Hora, Jason Barrett, Michael Naughton. IT Sligo worked hard with strong performances from Phillip Patton, Ryan Phillips, Sean Meehan, Jeff Howley, Tom McGing, Cathal Hennelly and Hugh Moy.
NUI GALWAY: Jason Barrett (Balla, Mayo), Shane Fox (Ballymahon, Longford), Rioch Farrell (Carrickedmond, Longford), Conor Burke (Burrishoole), Paddy Connaughton (Ballinamore SOH), Cormac O Hora (O Dempseys, Laois), Michael Naughton (Annaghdown, Galway) Hugh Broderick (St Lomans, Westmeath)(Capt), Evan Cawley (Shrule/Glencorrib, Mayo), James Dowd (Louisburgh, Mayo)(0-2), Conor Marsden (Kilconly, Galway)(0-6), Conor Dolan (Manorhamilton, Leitrim)(0-1), Eoin Mulkerrin (Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo), Sean Brogan (Westport, Mayo)(1-2), Ryan Forde (Annaghdown, Galway)(1-0).
SUBS: Martin Loftus (Parke, Mayo) for Shane Fox, Jamie Smith (Tyholland, Monaghan)(0-1) for Hugh Broderick, Graham Gallagher (Kill, Kildare), for Paddy Connaughton,
Gerry Canavan (Mayo Gaels, Mayo)(0-1) for Eoin Mulkerrin, Evan Concarr (Oran, Roscommon) for Evan Cawley.
IT SLIGO: Tom McGing, Shane McLoughlin, Jeff Howley, Cillian McCahey, Conor Browne, Hugh Moy, Michael Rafferty, Jody Reilly (0-1), Darragh Bourke, Phillip Patton (1-3), Cathal Hennelly (0-3), Gearoid Gallagher, Ryan Phillips (0-2), Evan Broderick, Sean Meehan (0-2).
Sub: Niall O Dowd for E Broderick, Darragh Kilcoyne for G Gallagher, Bryan Walsh for Hennelly (inj), Ciaran Walsh (1-0) for Bourke, Ryan McKenna for Phillips.
After the game the Fresher League cup was presented to NUIGalway captain Hugh Broderick by Third level representative Enda Fallon.