Gort 2-11 Pearses 2-10: This game at Duggan Park was a closely fought contest throughout, with the sides going blow-for-blow, Pearses going in 3 up at half time. After 14 minutes of the second half Gort had wrestled back a one point lead, with 1-1. The teams exchanged the lead twice more before the 30th minute, when Pearses led by 2. However a killer injury time goal gave Gort the victory.
Both teams were missing regular starters – Richie Cummins, Aidan Helebert, the Mullins Brothers and Cyril Donnellan among the list of absents from the lineups. Gort made a strong start and led by 0-3 to 0-0 after just 4 minutes. County player Aidan Harte with two of the scores. By the tenth minute Pearses were back on level terms, Ronan Bellew and Ronan O’Neill and Sean Hardiman with the points.
Gort pulled two clear again, before Jimmy Gelston drew Pearses level, 0-5 each after 18 minutes. Gort led 0-7 to 0-6 after 24 minutes, when a long range Shane Raftery free went all the way to the Gort net at the town end and Pearses led for the first time. A minute later and Ronan Bellew found a gap in the Gort backline to break through and expertly bat the ball to the Gort net, 2-6 to 0-7. Gort had the final two points of the half to see Pearses lead by 3 at the break.
Gort registered 1-1 in the third quarter to go back in front. Paul Killilea the goalscorer, as Pearses’ wide count was now building. 7 minutes passed without a score from either side before Cyril Donnellan entered the action as a substitute. Shortly afterwards, Tomas Flannery had drawn Pearses level with a pointed free. Cormac Ward earned another free which Flannery converted for Pearses to take the lead again on the 24th minute.
Gort levelled into the town end with a superbly struck sideline-cut. Soon after Cyril Donnellan picked up possession from a sideline ball and shot over to give Pearses a two point lead, 2-10 to 1-11 as the clock ticked into injury time. Disaster struck two minutes into the six additional minutes as Jack Grealish netted a second Gort goal. There was still time to salvage a draw, but try as they may Pearses could add to their tally.
Pearses: F Flannery; T Kenny, K Donnellan, R Lally; J Gelston (0-1), S Raftery (1-1), L Murphy; T Flannery (0-3), C Raftery; R O’Neill (0-1), K Hardiman, S Hardiman (0-1); E Cunniffe, C Ward, R Bellew (1-2). Subs used: C Fahey, C Donnellan (0-1), B Egan.