The Geraldines’ dream of All-Ireland glory came to an end in Crossmaglen yesterday after they went down to Monaghan side Truagh Gaels on a 2-10 to 1-9 scoreline.
Despite a late rally, the Blackrock and Haggardstown fell to a late goal and a point rom Truagh and, in truth, can have little complaint with the outcome of the game.
Truagh were the better team over the course of the hour and with seven minutes to go looked to be coasting to victory as they led by 1-9 to 0-5.
Most of the damage was done against a gale-force wind in the first-half when they led by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break. A Mark Counihan goal four minutes after the restart then gave Eamon McEneaney’s side an uphill task that ultimately proved too miuch for them.
Despite that, they can take heart from finishing strongly with a late flurry seeing them score 1-4 without reply, with Nicky Mackin grabbing a goal on 53 minutes.
Jim McEneaney then equalised with a minute to go and at that point it looked like the Gers were the more likely winners.
However, after being denied a free in their next attack, Truagh broke with Chrissy McKenna picking out the unmarked Daniel Finnegan to fist to the net. A free from Daniel McKenna then sealed the game for the Ulster champions but the Gers can be proud of their efforts.
“We are shellshocked at the minute to lose it in the way we did, but we didn’t play well enough for a large part of the game,” said Geraldines manager Eamonn McEneaney afterwards.
Scorers – Truagh Gaels: M Counihan, D Finnegan 1-2 each, D McKenna 0-4 (2fs), C McKenna 0-2 (2fs). Geraldines: J McEneaney 0-5 (3fs, 1 ’45’), N Mackin 1-0, J Arrowsmith 0-2, G Hoey, S O’Hanlon 0-1 each.
Truagh Gaels – I Treanor; J McCarron, N Feely, N McQuilland; E Kelly, R Treanor, P McKenna; P Treanor, N McRory; A Treanor, B Cuddy, M Counihan; D Finnegan, C McKenna, D McKenna. Subs: C McAnenly for McCarron (BC, 41), N Rooney for McRory (BC, 52)
Geraldines – N Cooney; J Arrowsmith, N Mackin, T Hand; J Craven, G Hoey, K Pepper; M Rogers, S Reidy; S Thornton, J McEneaney, S Callan; G Trainor, S O’Hanlon, B Hamilton. Subs: J Breen for Thornton (BC, 2), P Hoey for Breen (50), D Hamill for Arrowsmith (50), J Craven (BC, 60, not replaced).
Talk of the Town 