Pearses took on Ardrahan in Round 7 of the U15B Group in Ballymacward this evening. Ardrahan who are preparing for the Feile Finals in Tipperary this weekend were already through to the Cup semi final while Pearses needed nothing less than a win to secure a Cup semi final place.
It looked like Pearses had the backing of a stiff breeze in the opening half although the flags blew more-so across the field. Although Ardrahan had pointed within seconds of the throw-in, Pearses led 0-6 to 0-1 by the 8th minute, 0-3 from Jonah Donnellan , 1 a converted 65’ ; young Sean Kelly, David Walsh & Diarmuid Ryan all adding from play. In the opening exchanges Conor Walsh was unlucky as his goal bound effort was well stopped to concede a 65’. Ardrahan registered their 2nd point on 8mins when they tapped over from a difficult angle.
Both sides exchanged frees; Donnellan for Pearses while Tommy Nutley ensured his mothers spin to Tuam to prematurely end his school tour to have him in Ballymac on time was well worth the effort when he made a super stop from point blank range. Nutley was well positioned under a high lobbing Ardrahan ball moments later to safely gather on the 27th minute. Jonah Donnellan added another from play while again Nutley’s safe hands did the trick under a dangerous looking ball sent into the square wining a free out for his troubles. Donnellan landed another point after a Canning style catch behind his back to make it 0-9 to 0-3 on 26mins.
Ardrahan converted a free as Dillon Roche received a yellow card for his troubles. The resultant puck out was caught by Donnellan who found Sean Kelly in space and he effortlessly fired over his 2nd of the half. At this stage Pearses were strong at the back with young Daniel Lydon & Kyle McDonagh holding their own and Cathal Hynes, James Queeney, Dillon Roche & Diarmuid Ryan not afraid to stick up the bare paws. As the half came to a close Darren Moran capitalised on a short Ardrahan puck out and Bang…. drew a super save. Donnellan finished the half with 2 frees which Sean Kelly & the extremely hard working Fionn Donohue earned. Pearses 0-12; Ardrahan 0-4 at Half time.
The 2nd half scoring was more evenly matched. Donnellan got 2 quick points on the bounce; 1 from play and a converted free hard earned by Diarmuid Ryan after a sudden wonderful twist and a good run up the sideline. Both sides exchanged further frees ; Donnellan converting for Pearses after young Jack Kenny was fouled when he slipped inside his marker. Fionn Donohue’s work rate was exemplary while Conor Hillary got on the end of a lot of loose ball, both looking very assured.
Darren Moran then helped Pearses well on their way when he flicked Conor Walsh’s delivery from under the stand to the net for a tonic goal. Ardrahan quickly hit back though and raised a green flag down the other end as a high lobbing ball took a deflection off Diarmuid Ryan’s hurl and in to make it a 10point ball game midway through the second half 1-15 to 1-05. Ardrahan closed out the game helping themselves to 0-4 in the final quarter; 2 frees and 2 from play as they finished strong. With 1 minute to play as Diarmuid Ryan was floored with cramp and play continued, Ardrahan hit a rasper which was goal bound only for Dillon Roche to be well positioned to stop the rasper and clear the danger. Pearses held out in the end for a 6 point win as time ran out on Ardrahan. Final score: Pearses 1-15; Ardrahan 1-09. This win sees Pearses play the same opposition in the U15B Cup semi final. In the meantime though, we wish Ardrahan the best of luck in their Feile Finals exploits this weekend.
Scorers: Jonah Donnellan 0-11 ( 0-5F; 65’); Daren Moran 1-0; Sean Kelly 0-2; David Walsh 0-1; Diarmuid Ryan 0-1.
Panel: Tommy Nutley, Daniel Lydon, Dillon Roche, Cathal Hynes, James Queeney, Diarmuid Ryan, Kyle McDonagh, Fionn Donohue, Conor Hillary, Jack Kenny, Jonah Donnellan, Conor Walsh, David Walsh, Darren Moran, Sean Kelly, Jamie Nutley, Eoghan Ryan, Stephen Murphy.