Intermediate Championship ,Castletown Sep 9 2017
Walterstown Vs Syddan
Walterstown played Syddan in the last game of the Championship in their group on Saturday evening. Walterstown badly needed a result in this game having narrowly lost their last 2 matches. Walterstown already missing several players, through injuries were forced to play midfielder Alban Crosbie in goals. Davy Reynolds moved to mid-field and Brian Mc Grane slotted in at full back. Although Syddan opened the scoring with a point in the first minute, Walterstown struck back immediately with a well taken Ruairi O Dowd goal in the 3rd minute, following a great run by Aaron McLoughlin. Syddan however answered with a goal of their own after 15 minutes to go 1-3 to 1-1 ahead. While Brian O Connell added 2 more points for the Blacks, Syddan then added 4 more points to leave the half time score at 1-7 to 1-3.
Walterstown substituted injured half back Colin McGrane with Joey Coogan at half time. They played with much more purpose in the second half. Davy Reynolds and Conor O Sullivan worked tirelessly at mid-field. The evergreen John Geoghegan was involved in a lot of attacks. Ruairi O Dowd constantly tortured the Syddan defence and was fouled often. Brian O Connell punished these offences with some fine free taking. Half backs Colm Reilly, Peter Reynolds and Colin McGrane had a busy evening marking Syddans fast forwards.
Early in the second half, thanks to another O Connell free and a well struck Paul Donnellan penalty Walterstown were level with Syddan at 2-4 to 1-7. Syddan got back into the match with the next 2 points to go 2 points up again. Walterstown struck back with points from Paul Donnellan and John Geoghegan to restore parity. Again Syddan went 2 points ahead and all seemed lost for Walterstown. David Donnellan who had just substituted for the injured Peter Reynolds then scored a point to leave Walterstown 1 behind with 3 minutes left. In a nail-biting finish David Donnellan scored the equaliser deep in injury time, with a great shot off the outside of his left boot from a tight angle. The scoreline read 2-9 to 1-12 when Referee Gerry McGivney blew for full time. Although Walterstown will rue some missed opportunities in the game, Eamon Barry was pleased that they had fought hard to the final whistle.
Walterstown : Alban Crosbie, Conor Mc Guinness, Brian Mc Grane, Conor Cullen, Colin McGrane, Peter Reynolds, Colm O Reilly, Conor O Sullivan, Davy Reynolds, John Geoghegan (0-1), Ruari O Dowd (1-0), Aaron McLoughlin, Paul Donnellan (1-1), Brian O Connell (0-5, 4F), Mark McCormack
Subs :Joey Coogan for Colin McGrane, Davy Donnellan (0-2) for Peter Reynolds, Kevin Devine , Eoin O Mahony, C.Murphy.