Intermediate

County Intermediate Winners - 2007

Maigh Cuilinn Claim First Provincial Title (Report by Sean Gibbons)

Sunday the 18th of November will go down as a day never to be forgotten in Maigh Cuilinn as our footballers claimed the Connaught Intermediate Football title.

From 1 to 15 the Maigh Cuilinn lads covered themselves in glory, playing a controlled game, at often breathtaking speed, they overcame the Mayo Champions Baillintubber on a score line of 3 -11 to 1 – 08. 

In the run-up to the match there was concern as to how we could replace Barry Conneely who had been outstanding throughout the Championship. The moving of Sean Bradshaw from the halfback line to full back was a stroke of genius. Sean gave a master class performance holding his man to a single score, which in itself came very much against the run of play. Kieran O’Connor and Kevin Carr both of whom had great games flanked Sean, Carr had the unenviable task of marking 2006 all-star Alan Dillon and held him to a single score from play.

The wizard that is Paul Clancy, his reading, dominated the half back line and distribution were worthy of any game. He was able to find Gearóid Clancy, Pat Lydon, Tomás Higgins and Conor Bohan on countless occasions with passes ranging from 20 to 60 yards and was the bedrock on which much of the team’s success was built.

Moycullen got off to a great start, Paul Clancy found Robert Molloy on the wing with a great pass, the ball was moved on to Tomás Higgins and following a quick exchange of passes in the forward line the ball went to Brian Faherty who rifled the ball to the back of the net.

Ballintubber responded some five minutes later with a point, which was cancelled out, by a well-taken point from Tomás Higgins. Moycullen’s second goal came from a free taken by Gareth Bradshaw, who himself had a memorable game at mid-field. Gareth’s free from 45 yards out, looked to be heading over the bar - as it dropped into the goal-mouth the goalkeeper and corner-back, between them, managed to knock the ball out to the grateful Philip Lydon, who calmly palmed the ball to the back of the net, to leave Maigh Cuilinn 2-1 to 0-2 in front.

Ballintubber threatened to make a come back - Pat Lydon attempted to open up the play with a cross-field ball, which was intercepted. Ballintubber moved the ball quickly to their veteran full forward Vinnie Keane who finished the ball to the net. This was as good as it was to get for the Mayo Champions as Maigh Cuilinn dominated play for the reminder of the half outscoring their rivals by 1-5 to a single point. Conor Bohan’s goal was a testament to the hours of training drills overseen by Sean O’ Dea all year. The move again started with Paul Clancy, his pass to Brian Hanly was moved on to Mark and then in turn Pat Lydon who found Conor on the wing, who ran at the Ballintubber rearguard and drilled the ball to the back of the net. 

Maigh Cuilinn were to add a further three points before the interval, Brian Faherty (0-2) and Conor Bohan (0-1) being the scorers. This left Maigh Cuilinn with a commanding lead of 3-6 to 1-3 at the interval.

While the second half was not as intense as the first the Galway Champions held the Mayo men at bay each side adding a further 5 points in the second half. The pick of these was a Paul Clancy effort from 50 yards out that sailed over the bar with plenty to spare.

The mid-field combination of Mark Lydon and Gareth Bradshaw was excellent throughout the hour- they fielded or broke the ball to their half forward and half back lines. Robert Molloy and Tomás Higgins picked up a huge amount of possession both through broken ball and clean fielding. Brian Hanley was solid throughout as was Conor Bohan who caused major panic in the Ballintubber defence every time he ran at them. Mark, Pat and Philip Lydon had a major part to play in the victory, Philip just returned from injury, battled hard until replaced near the end. Brian Faherty was hard working as ever and took his early goal very well.

Seamus Friel in goals was dependable as ever, his kick outs were excellent finding his midfielders accurately thus relieving pressure on the halfback line. Seamus made two excellent saves in the second half when Ballintubber threatened to make a comeback. Cathal Clancy and Diarmuid Lee were second half substitutes and both players acquitted themselves well.

The effort of the entire panel throughout the year was rewarded on Sunday. This was the clubs fourth cup this year having already secured the 2006 Sweeney Oil League, County Intermediate Title and Junior B league. The hard nights training which commenced in January have paid off. Great credit is due to Sean O’Dea and his management team of Richie Lee, Michael Lee and Toby Bradshaw. 

Let us hope Maigh Cuilinn can now add further titles before the season ends.

Connacht Intermediate Champions: Seamus Freil, Kevin Carr, Sean Bradshaw, Conor Bohan, Paul Clancy, Brian Hanley, Pat Lydon, Gareth Bradshaw, Brian Faherty, Tomás Higgins, Robert Molloy, Gearóid Clancy, Pat Lydon, Philip Lydon, Eric Fox, Cathal Clancy, Diarmuid Lee, Henry Lydon, Colie Gavin Jnr., Martin Moloney, James Faherty, Seosamh Ó Fatharta, Paddy McAteer, Evan Gibbons, Brian Grant, Donal Byrnes, John Tierney and Cillian MacDinnacha.