FÉ 16 County League Final
Unbeaten in the Co. League against Annaghdown, Barna, Salthill, Ml. Breathnach, An Ceathrú Rua and Dunmore McHales, Corofin proved to be the stumbling block in our attempt to retain the County title which we won in 1995. They beat us in the 1996 final by 1–8 to 1–3 at Annaghdown on Sept. 22nd last. It was a hard tackling game from start to finish and the final score does not reflect the closeness of the encounter for most of the game. Our team played with great spirit against highly rated opponents who got off to a great start with 4 early points. A goal by Joe Hession and a point by Derek Murray levelled the score after 20 minutes. An exchange of points and a goal by Corofin put them into a half-time lead of 1–5 to 1–2. Early in the second half we got on top around the middle of the field, mainly through Eoin Hynes, Joe Hession, Patrick Walsh and sub Derek Murphy. Although we pressed for scores, good possession was wasted and we scored only 1 point, a free from near the corner flag by Enda O’Connell. On the other hand, Corofin made better use of their chances to consolidate their lead.
At full back Damien Noonan fielded well while Liam Hyland and John Flanagan played soundly throughout. Missed chances aside, we have the consolation of losing to a good team after an unbeaten run. We convey full tributes to Mick O’Connell for his time devoted to managing the team since the start on April 2nd last.
FÉ 15 City League Results
Claregalway 1–9; Barna 2–3
Claregalway 4–12 Renmore 0–1
Claregalway 3–7 Killanin 1–10
There has been a great turnout in this age group; spirit and commitment has been rewarded with 3 good wins to-date. The game against Barna looked like ending in a draw until Enda Flaherty clinched a win with a last minute goal. One of the most exciting ends to a game at the Leisure Centre for many a day was witnessed in our narrow win over Killanin. Playing against a gale and driving rain, we conceded 1–8 on the first half without scoring ourselves. Prospects looked bleak when the wind calmed after the interval but with Paul Kilgannon in goal, Anthony Davoren, Dermot Casserly and A. Watson playing very well in the backs, goals by Enda Flaherty, Damien Noonan, Aidan Kearney turned the game in our favour. Claregalway’s U-age tradition for the late rally secured a win. We play Salthill in the next round at the Prairie.
FÉ 13
The City league starts on Oct. 13th and there will be a game on every Sunday at 11am home or away. We are grouped with the top teams—St. Michaels, Salthill, Ml. Breathnach, Oranmore, Éire Óg, Moycullen.
FÉ 12
With a full team for the first time, we won the league game against Ml. Breathnach by 1–6 to 1–3 at the Leisure Centre. The teams were evenly matched and our winning scores came near the end when Michael Kelly scored 1–1 at corner forward. Barry Cullinane and Garry Giles played especially well and got great support from Colm James Conneely and Philip Raftery. At Westside we lost to St. Michaels after a spirited display especially by the backs with Barry Cullinane again to the fore.
Paul Loughlin scored a goal early on which was disallowed but he was not to be denied and his determination was rewarded when he scored a goal in the second half.
FÉ 10s travelled by bus on Sat. Oct. 5th to the famed McHale Park, Castlebar, to participate in the inter-county blitz tournament organised by Castlebar Mitchels.
Sean Flanagan
