Good second half performance ensure victory for the Shels boys.
Thursday August 2nd, 2007 – Bellfield Enniscorthy
Premier Minor Football Championship
Shelmaliers 7-11 Starlights 3-7
The story of this game is the dominant second half performance produced by the Shels, in which they outscored the Starlights by 3-9 to 1-1, to run out comfortable winners in this premier minor football championship clash. On a warm and overcast evening in Enniscorthy, the Shels started the game well as Eoin Doyle opened the scoring with a well taken point. This was followed by a miss-hit Conor Byrne free which found it's way to the Starlight's net. Following this the Shels recorded two more goals from Shane Murphy and Conor Byrne, which sandwiched a Brian Doyle point to leave the score at 3-2 to 0-1 with 15 minutes gone.
However, the Starlights found their feet for the remaining 15 mins of the opening half and with their fast forwards causing real trouble to the Shels' full-back line, they responded with 2-5 of their own. In this period the home side also squandered a glorious chance for another goal when a penalty was blasted well wide of the goal. With only minutes remaining in the first half the Shels raised the siege and won a penalty of their own which Conor Walsh expertly dispatched into the bottom right-hand corner of the net to leave the half time score at 4-2 to 2-6 in favour of the visiting Shelmalier side.
The Shels adjusted their back line in the second half with Andre O'Brien and Benny Barron moving into the full-back line, Brian O'Connor taking up position at left-half back and Kevin O'Leary coming into the attack. The changes appeared to work and the Shels recorded 1-6 without reply over the next 10 mins, with the major coming from the newly introduced Kevin O'Leary after some excellent combination play from several Shels players. Super-sub Stuart Lacey was introduced, and proceeded to score 1-2 over the next 10 mins, when Niall Stafford unfortunately sustained a facial injury contesting a high ball mid-way through the second half. The Shels demonstrated some great score taking in the second-half including three fisted points from close range and two fine Brian Doyle points. The scoring was rounded out by a good individual effort from Ciaran O'Shaughnessy who side-footed to the net following a break through the heart of the defence and an expert side-step of the Starlights number 3.
Best performances from the Shels came from Ciaran O'Shaughnessy, Andre O'Brien and Benny Barron in defence, Niall Stafford and Conor Walsh in midfield and Conor Byrne, Eoin Doyle, Brian Doyle and Stuart Lacey up front.
Players, selectors and team management wish Niall Stafford a speedy recovery from his injury and look forward to seeing him again at the next training session.
Shels
1. Ciaran Murphy, 2. Niall Kelly, 3. Aaron Waters, 4. Anthony Hall, 5.Andre O'Brien, 6. Ciaran O'Shaughnessy (1-0), 7. Benny Barron, 8. Niall Stafford, 9.Conor Walsh (1-0), 10. Brian Doyle (0-3), 11. Eoin Doyle (0-2), 12. Brian O'Connor, 13. Shane Murphy (1-0), , 14. Conor Byrne (2-3) , 15. Joe Kelly(0-1). Subs Kevin O'Leary(1-0) for Anthony Hall (half-time), Stuart Lacey (1-2) for Niall Stafford (inj)