Cappy finish in blaze of glory to secure vital group victory

Cappataggle 3-17

Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry 2-13

Mark Walsh at Duggan Park

MAKE no mistake about it, when Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry sub Tom Gordon bore down on James Skehill’s goal with the game clock reading 41 minutes, Cappataggle were on the ropes.

Two early second half goals from Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry had seen to that set of circumstances. A 2-9 to 0-9 lead looked certain to become a three-goal advantage with Gordon to deliver the knockout blow, but it helps to have an inter-county goalkeeper between the posts.

Skehill not only stopped Gordon’s shot, but he also came out with the ball and was fouled by two Tynagh/Abbey attackers on his way out. Skehill delivered one of his trademark long balls from the resulting free, and Steven Creaven ended up scoring a point. Cappataggle would subsequently go on to outscore their opponents by 3-7 to 0-4 up to the final whistle.

A couple of factors determined Cappy’s amazing turnaround in fortune. Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry full-back Padraig Shiel retired injured early in the second half, and Michael Garvey found room more plentiful to come by at the edge of the square. Garvey would finish the half with 2-3 to his name, 2-1 of which was plundered from the 58th to the 62nd minute, sending shockwaves through the Tynagh/Abbey players as it happened.

With Darragh Dolan patrolling the middle third to brilliant effect, Cappataggle derived great purchase from the triple substitution they made in the 42nd minute. Oran Finn came on at corner-forward in place of Donal Mannion and scored 1-1, his goal in the 49th minute levelling the scoreline at 2-10 to 1-13 and providing Cappy’s comeback with an added injection of zest.

David Malone laid a ball upfield for Garvey’s first goal, and finished the scoring for the afternoon in the 66th minute with a point of his own, but special mention must be made to Damien Joyce’s contribution. Aged 39, Joyce has the knack for ghosting into positions where the ball is likely to land. In at centre-back, Joyce had a major influence in the final quarter, setting up a point with his first touch and picking out Finn with an accurate delivery for his goal.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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