Cushinstown 3-6 – Shelmaliers 0-14
Junior Football League
Venue Cushinstown 18th May, 2008
The Shels completely controlled proceedings in the first half when playing with a strong wind, but it must be said that Cushinstown were guilty of wasting many fine scoring chances and could only manage a single point from play in the opening half. Fine scores from Tobin and Cash powered the visitors to a strong lead but a lapse in defence allowed the home side to snatch a goal against the run of play which kept them in the game.
Leading by 5 points at half-time, 0-10 to 1-2, the Shels looked in control of this game until a dubious second half penalty awarded to the home team changed the course of this match. Having scored the first two points of the second half and leading by 0-12 to 1-3 10 mins in the referee awarded a penalty against Colin Redmond for 'holding' under a high dropping ball into the square much to the bewilderment of all sides. Nevertheless Cushinstown took full advantage to score a major from the placed ball and when, within 5 mins of the penalty, the home side pounced for another goal – suddenly the sides were level and the momentum was very much with Cushinstown. Two more points quickly followed and the Shels looked to be in real trouble.
The Shels finished the game strongly and scored the last two points to almost grab a share of the points but a missed 21 meter free in the closing stages proved costly as the home side clung on to a one point win.
Best for the Shels were Colin Redmond, Vinny Parker, Dessie Kehoe, Stephen Cash and Mark Tobin.
1. Colm Parker, 2. Donal Power, 3. Colin Redmond, 4. Conor O'Shaughnessy, 5. Cian O'Leary (0-1), 6. Vinny Parker, 7. John Veal (0-1), 8. Daren Malone (0-1), 9, Dessie Kehoe, 10. Cormac Smith (0-1), 11. Mick Kelly, 12. Shamie Harding, 13. Stephen Cash (0-4), 14. Ciaran Walsh, 15. Mark Tobin (0-6).
Subs: Tom Tynan for Donal Power (inj)