Doyle's last gasp goal gives Bagenalstowna a second chance
Craig Doyle the Bagenalstown Gaels captain has a look at the posts before St Mullins captain Ger Coady can challenge Photo: Pat Ahern
Bagenalstown Gaels came ever so close of causing a sensation when they held St Mullins to a draw in the semi-final of the senior hurling championship in Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday. While it took a late goal from the underdogs to clinch a draw, the mighty St Mullins were surely breathing a sigh of relief when the final whistle sounded. Soundings coming from the camp also revealed that they were kicking themselves for not finishing off the game when in a position to do so.
That doesn’t credit Bagenalstown who produced a performance that looked beyond them after last week’s trimming when the two teams met. They were unrecognisable this time out and the final scoreline hints broadly of how the game unravelled.
The pre-match favourites started with a flourish with both James Doyle (f) and Marty Kavanagh firing over points. Conor Kehoe butchered a goal chance when he attempted to flick a loose ball into the hands of a supporting player rather than taking possession and going himself.
Bagenalstown gave a hint of what was to come as they quickly made the intercept. Craig Doyle’s subsequent free breathed life into the Gaels challenge. His brother, Jake, fired over a point into the scoreboard end from way out on the left. It was a point to lift the morale of any side. From there it was a white knuckle ride all the way to the finishing line for players, mentors and supporters alike.
Craig Doyle scored the opening goal and while his shot was somewhat under-hit, keeper, Kevin Kehoe, was committed going one way and the sliotar eluded him. Yet when John Doyle kicked a goal for St Mullins the question was asked of the Gaels.
The response was superb and Jake Doyle caught the ball cleanly, off-loaded to Andrew Kane who raised another green flag. St Mullins were relying heavily on James Doyle who also picked up a yellow card on the advice of an umpire.
Minutes before the break, Jamie Clarke, passed to Keelan Guidera who pulled first time to the net. Yet St Mullins hit back and when Marty Kavanagh was fouled in the big square, he took the penalty himself to beat Andrew Townsend with a low but hard shot to the bottom right-hand corner. At the interval, with Jake Doyle scoring three points from play, Bagenalstown Gaels were full-value for their 3-8 to 2-7 lead.
Jason O’Neill opened the scoring in the second half with a point and if there was any doubt about Bagenalstown resolve it was confirmed when keeper, Townsend, saved point blank from Kavanagh. When the ball ran loose James Doyle was denied by Alan Corcoran who had slipped back onto the goal-line to help his net-minder. The same player then turned attacker and his point was further proof that his side were involved in a 50-50 battle which was hanging on feats of bravery and skill.
It was epic. Darragh Nolan converted a long-range free. At the other end, a focussed defence forced John Doyle to shoot wide when it looked as if he must find the net. The Bagenalstown side were making things happen. TJ Darcy came into the action and nailed a point.
St Mullins were shell-shocked and this manifested itself with the performance of James Doyle who had scored two goals in the third quarter but when the pressure came on missed a simple free after he had pulled another one wide. When they forced a 65 Doyle opted not to take it but Marty Kavanagh held his nerve to give his side a three-point lead with the game in injury time.
Bagenalstown created one last chance and when Craig Doyle ran at the defence he was well and truly fouled. Just outside the 20 metre line, he had to go for goal. The roar from the Bagenalstown faithful around the ground told the story. The sides were level. A battle to the end and when the dust had settled, it was clear they would be no extra-time. Both sides would have to do it all over again on Saturday evening at 6pm.
TALKING POINTS
After the drubbing they received last week where they failed to show and finished the game with 13 players, Bagenalstown Gaels were on a mission this time.
They produced a superb performance full of skill and when the questions were asked they answered them. Discipline was superb and it was they more than St Mullins who looked more self-assured in the white-heat of battle.
It has been a strange few weeks with Ranger’s intercounty player, Fiachra Fitzpatrick picking up a heavy suspension when coming onto the field as a water-boy. In their two previous championship games, Bagenalstown Gaels have finished the game with less than the requisite amount of players.
This time, Jack Kavanagh of St Mullins was blessed not to see red. Having been booked earlier in the game, he slammed his hurley into the ground when conceding a free in the second half. Unfortunately he made contact with the hurl of Gaels number three, Alan Corcoran’s, which rendered it unplayable. The Bagenalstown man doesn’t do anger but he was clearly upset. He had every right to be too.
