Senior Championship 16/08/09

Strokestown 1-15 St. Faithleachs 2-09 (Roscommon Herald match report 18/08/09)

Those who feel that scoring difference is an unfair system of deciding placings in the group stages of the championship when teams finish level on points would have garnered plenty of ammunition for their argument in Strokestown on Sunday last. Needing an eight point victory to reach the quarter-finals, Strokestown produced a performance laden with spirt and courage that ultimately came up short of the miracle they required. The home side played as well as they've played all year but, ultimately, ended up in relegation trouble.

The tough conditions didn't deter both teams from producing one of the best games in this years championship. Strokestown deserve immense credit for keeping the game alive and they created more than enough chances to eke out the winning margin they required. Unfortunately a couple of defensive lapses proved costly and Aidan Dooney's two goals kept Faithleach's in the hunt to confirm their place in the quarter-final.
Dooney's second goal arrived two minutes from time when Strokestown were five points to the good and threatening to poach the goal they required to put the cat among the pigeons. Yet the home side kept trying to the end with Conor Silke and John Rogers flashing shots either side of the post in injury-time. Faithleach's goalkeeper Derek Thompson also had to be alert to parry Rogers' goalbound shot around the post in the games dying embers. While Faithleach's played well within themselves, Clement McCormack's accuracy from open play alongside Dooney's two goals saved them from an embarrising exit.

Playing against the wind and the rain in the opening half, Strokestown took the game to St. Faithleach's. A pointed free from John Rogers inside the first minute signalled early intent on the 'Towns part but two points from Clement McCormack inside a minute settled his sides nerves. The visitors surged further ahead in the 13th minute when MartinReynolds picked out Henry Kenny in space and the corner forward pointed with aplomb.
To Strokestown's credit they dominated the rest of the half. Mattie Colum fastened himself onto the end of an enterprising move in the 21st minute after Rogers had pointed a free four minutes earlier. Sandwhiched between those two scores was a free from Darragh Hussey and an excellent point from the right wing by Brian Murtagh. Rogers and Gary Cox traded points before a flurry of scores before the half-time whistle gave Strokestown a one point lead. Conor Silke and Niall Brogan landed two excellent efforts from play before Rogers gave his side the lead score from a free, 0-7 to 0-6.
Within two minutes of the restart, Rogers had pointed again with his left foot. A foul on Faitleach's wing back Kieran Brennan resulted in a free for Hussey before Dooney struck for his first goal. In reality it was a gift from the Strokestown defence as the full-forward intercepted Ronan Owens' pass, raced through on goal and planted the ball beyond John McHugh in the Strokestown goal. Yet Strokestown continued to push forward with Seamus Collins prominent at midfield and Paul McLoughlin very impressive in defence. Rogers bisected the posts from a sideline kick but the ever reliable McCormack pointed from an acute angle up the other end of the field. Some great work by Paddy Brogan in the 43rd minute saw Pearse McGinley pump possession into Mattie Colum on the edge of the square. He directed the ball to the supporting Rogers who duly raised a green flag to give Strokestown belief once again. Two frees from Rogers were followed by a '45 from goalkeeper John McHugh as Strokestown went for broke. Conor Silke and Padraig Wallace swapped points from play before Strokestown wing-back John Hagan ambled forward to restore his side's five point advantage. The impossible now looked very possible and Faithleach's full-back Derek Murray had to make a crucial interception in the 56th minute. Two minutes later, Dooney gave his side the breathing space they required when he was on the end of a move involving substitute Alan Brehon. A Silke point pushed Strokestown's lead out to three points, but try as they might their bravery wasn't rewarded.

Strokestown: J.McHugh (0-1, a'45), J.Doaln, R.Owens, P.McLoughlin, J.Hagan (0-1), M.Beirne, N.Brogan (0-1), P.McGinley, S.Collins, P.Brogan, J.Rogers (1-8, six frees, one sideline), M.Colum (0-1), D.Rogers, C.Silke (0-3), E.Molloy. Subs: T.Hanly for J.Dolan (54 mins), T.Hughes for P.McGinley (55mins), C.Compton for E.Molloy (56mins).

Roscommon Herald Player of the Match: Paul McLoughlin (Strokestown)
The Strokestown corner-back had an excellent game and epitomised his team's never-say-die spirit. He disrupted the St.Faithleach's supply lines and made a number of excellent interceptions. Seamus Collins, John Rogers and Conor Silke also tried hard for the winners. Best for St.Faithleach's were Enda Kenny, Kieran Brennan, Clement McCormack.

(words by Ian Cooney, Roscommon Herald)