West U21B Football Championship: Galtee Rovers see off Golden to reach the final

Galtee Rovers 1-13

Golden/Kilfeacle 1-6

By John O’Shea at Golden

Galtee Rovers are through to the McGrath Oil, West Under 21B Football Final, following their seven victory over the home side at a cold and frosty Golden on Wednesday night.

Galtee deserved this victory over a depleted Golden side, with Jim Quirke being the difference between the sides. Quirke hit 1.4 on the night, with 0.3 coming from marks as he continuously posed a threat to the home defence. The Galtee defence were very solid throughout, especially during the final quarter when Golden went chasing for a goal to get them back in the game, with goalkeeper Robbie McGrath being particularly impressive.

Galtee were first off the mark, when Evan Kennedy made a run from the defence and put over at the far end after three minutes. Two further points from Jim Quirke, one from a mark, had the visitors three up after seven minutes. Ben Currivan opened the home side’s account after twelve minutes with a good score into the dressing room end and two minutes later a converted free from Jack Leamy left the minimum between the sides. The visitors replied with points from Conal Grogan and Dan O’Dwyer to go three up with ten minutes of the half remaining.

Golden attacked down the open side and Ben Currivan put Jason Morey through for the game’s opening goal after twenty-two minutes. This tied the game for the first time, but a late flurry from Galtee resulted in Conal Grogan and Dan O’Dwyer getting through for two points before the half time break to leave the score Galtee Rovers, 0.7, Golden/Kilfeacle 1.2.

Golden/Kilfeacle attacked from the off after the break and points from Ben Currivan and Jack Lonergan had them back on level terms four minutes into the half. Galtee won the resulting kick out and attacked down the stand side with Conal Grogan cutting in along the end line before laying off to Jim Quirke and the full forward made no mistake from close in.

This score seemed to drain the home side and they never really recovered, despite upping their game. With the Galtee defence, and their inside back line in particular, tightening up, Golden found scores difficult to come by. Further points from Jim Quirke and Conal Grogan had stretched the lead to five by the three-quarter mark.

The final quarter was all Galtee with points coming from Eoin Halpin and Cian O’Dwyer from open play with Quirke getting his third mark of the night and Conal Grogan getting his fourth point from a free kick. Jack Leamy replied with a Golden score but it was Galtee who advance to the final where they will play Aherlow.