Lee rescues 14-man Oughterard with late point in Minor B decider

Annaghdown 0-8

Oughterard 1-5

A marvellous point from a long range pressure free by Eric Lee earned Oughterard a dramatic draw after a strong second half display had put Annaghdown within seconds of winning the County Minor ‘B’ Football title at Tuam Stadium last Sunday.

Oughterard – who were reduced to 14 men after 15 minutes – held a 1-3 to 0-1 lead at the break after being backed by a very strong wind and in a low scoring game they seemed to be in a good position but it didn’t tell the full story.

Annaghdown had been very competitive without actually getting many scores and it had in fact been an evenly balanced opening period. Oughterard, who had kicked eight wides in the half, were shading it, 0-3 to 0-1, until Rory O’Connor notched a crucial goal in time added on for stoppages.

Earlier they had lost the services of midfielder Jack Geoghegan who had been sent off after a quarter of an hour. He got involved in a scuffle with Annaghdown wing-back Pierce Glynn who was deemed less guilty, although he had a yellow card brandished by referee Noel Dempsey.

Although Annaghdown were facing the elements, they were defending stoutly with the tigerish Mike Naughton, John Curry and Aaron Hardiman prominent and they were only a point in arrears at the end of the opening quarter, with Eric Lee getting the solitary score from a free.

Oughterard, in contrast, had the wind at their backs but were unable to use it sensibly as they were driving the ball long, high and, significantly, wide on several occasions. Annaghdown too had a few misses when they got within shooting distance.

Having to play with 14 men for three-quarters of the game was a big ask for Oughterard but in fairness they battled on with great determination and looked very dangerous when going forward. However, they were slow to make their possession tell on the score-board.

Brian Lambert doubled their modest total from a free and they then introduced team captain Rory O’Connor, who had been unable to start. Eight minutes from the break Daniel Kenny got the game’s first score from open play to give them a 0-3 to 0-0 lead.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.