McDermotts Edge Out McCurtains
McDermotts Edge Out McCurtains
November 06, 2017
McDermotts Edge Out McCurtains in Close Encounter
The All-Britain Junior Football Semi–Final took place at McGovern Park, Ruislip on Sunday, November 5th featuring McDermotts (Warwickshire) and McCurtains (London). The game was a truly entertaining encounter and both teams produced a great game of football. McDermotts started with the wind at their backs however, McCurtains got the better of the early exchanges, Coffrey putting them two ahead inside the first 3 minutes. It took 9 minutes for McDermotts to register their first point, by this stage it was evident that both sides had contrasting game plans. McCurtains looking to work the ball up the pitch at pace while McDermotts were looking for the long ball into their full forward line. Both sides traded scores in the first 15 minutes before the long ball began to pay dividends for McDermotts. With both teams tied 0–3 apiece, this would be the last time the teams were level. In the space of 3 minutes McDermotts led 2 – 4 to 0 – 3. In the 18th minute McDermott’s Full Forward punched the ball barely over the line from a long ball. Just 3 minutes later McDermott’s added the second when, yet again their Full Forward finished well to the bottom corner, leaving some clear daylight between the sides. These two goals certainly rattled McCurtains as they were making uncharacteristic mistakes. Despite this they managed to recompose themselves well with two fine points from Conor Murphy and one from Coffrey. When the Half-time whistle went McDermotts found themselves two goals ahead, although they were now going to be playing against a strong breeze.
McCurtains started the Second Half as they started the first. Coffrey knocking over 3 points in the first 9 minutes. They immediately put McDermotts on the back foot however, McCurtains couldn’t capitalize on their possession for the middle half of the second half. They were guilty of being wasteful in front of goal and these were missed chances that would greatly influence the result of the game. They didn’t register their next point until the 20th minute of the Second Half. With he score now 0–10 to 2–7, Mark McGirr stepped up and reduced the gap to 2, 0–11 to 2-7. This set the game up for a tense finish, both sidelines egging their teams on. McDermotts now desperate for a point, they managed to work the ball up the field and stretched their lead back out to 5, 0 – 11 to 2 – 10. It was looking like McDermott’s were going to finish with a flourish.
Despite this McCurtain’s weren’t going to give up easily. McGirr stepped up again to grab a goal right on the 30 minute mark. The game was now in the melting pot and Coffrey stepped up again to slot over a late free. With only a single point in it, McDermott’s worked the ball up the field and grabbed a late controversial score to force McCurtain’s to go for goal. This last score was enough to secure the victory. McDermott’s will now contest the All-Britain Junior Football Championship Final against Dunedin Connollys, Edinburgh (Scotland).