Magnificent Four

Muckalee made history with a great win after a titanic struggle against  James Stephens in the Senior Football Championship played in Freshford. On a lovely day for football Muckalee set off at a blistering pace with three points from the assured boot of Colin McGrath the first a sweeping move down the field the second a pass from John Maher the third a free from the left sideline. James Stephens opened their account in the eight minute with a point from Eoin McCormack  and three further points from Jackie Tyrell and a  David McCormack free completed the scoring for the City side in the first half.  The game took a significant turn in the eighteenth minute when a Bryan Byrne pointed effort came off the upright and the ever alert Robert Shore crashed the rebound to the net and from the resulting kickout scored a point after a pass from John Maher. Colin McGrath  gave the men from Muckalee a one goal advantage at the break when scoring after a pass from Shane Coonan . Half -time score 1-5 to 0-5. On the resumption it was anyones game and the first score came from Robert Shore in the eight minute finishing well taking a pass from John Maher . At this stage goalkeeper John Coonan, the full back line of James Maher  ,Oliver Walsh and Aidan Murphy had to show their resolve along with  half-back line of Martin Dowling , Patrick Nolan and Michael Morrissey defending well under preasure. Captain Paul Maher , Joe Maher with Tom Morrissey and Shane Coonan  did trojan work to take the fight to James Stephens. The Muckalee Selectors showed the strength of their panel with Canice  Maher  John Mulhall and Eoin McGrath coming on to good effect. James Stephens came more into the game with points from Niall Tyrell,Mark Hoban, David McCormack and a goal from Eoin Mccormack to take the lead with five minutes to go. Then Muckalee showed their worth as reigning champions to finish strongly with points from John Mulhall, Colin and Eoin McGrath and a well dispatched penalty from Colin after a foul on Bryan Byrne . The final score was 2-10 to 1-9 setting up a magnificent four in a row for Muckalee . Well done to Manager Martin Dowd, Trainer Ronan Ruane  Selectors Larry Maher and Pauric Keegan and the rest of the hard working Officers and Comittee for all their work on and off the field. County Board Chairman Tom Brennan complemented the Teams ,the referee and his umpire and linesmen for their part and presented the Cup to Captain Paul Maher, who thanked the whole group of players and managment for their efforts in the win and Jim Bolger for his continuous support and sponsorship to Football in the Parish.

Team John Coonan, James Maher, Ollie Walsh, Aidan Murphy, Martin Dowling, Paddy Nolan, Mick Morrissey, Joe Maher, Paul Maher Captain,Shane Coonan, Robert Shore 1-2, Tom Morrissey, Colin McGrath 1-6 ,2f ,1pen, Bryan Bryne, John Maher.

Subs.Stephen Murphy, Canice Maher (used),  Eoin McGrath 0-1,John Mulhall 0-1, Fionn Lawlor, Noel Darcy, Luke Maher, Eugene Maher, Damien Tynan, Alan Murphy.

REf. Tom Duggan    Linesmen Pat Hayes and Eugene Ryan

1 Sept. 2013