Late Dowd point earns Southern Gaels a draw

Southern Gaels 1-13 Brownstown 0-16

By Paul Doolin

At a wet and windy TEG Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon last, the hurlers of Brownstown and Southern Gaels served up an entertaining affair despite the dank conditions with the game in the balance right up to the final whistle. In added time, Sean Dowd converted a monster free for the Athlone side to level the game.

In truth, it probably was the fairest result with both teams looking winners at different times but neither able to sustain their advantage.

Both now move on to three points, paving the way for a possible rematch later in the year and perhaps at the final stage.

Both teams will have plenty to ponder but it will surely involve shooting practice as in total they combined for 21 wides, some of the poor variety, and that will be something to work on before the next set of games in this competitive championship.

In driving rain and against the stiff breeze, Brownstown got the better start, with three points from Jamie Fitzsimons, two frees.

Points from Sean Dowd, Chulainn Dowd (a free) and Cian Geary (a superb strike from distance_ drew the Shannonsiders level.

Brownstown upped the ante again with four in a row from play; two excellent points from Brian Guerin and long distance efforts from Robbie Dugdale and Donal Lane. Though Geary responded with the score of the half for the Gaels, Lane quickly replied for the Archerstown men to lead by four again.

Southern Gaels then began to exert some pressure with two Chulainn Dowd frees before a long ball from Cian McCarthy fell at Chulainn's feet and he whipped the sliotar the net for the lead score.

Paddy Reilly equalised for Brownstown but another free from Dowd and a monstrous point from Geary saw the southerners lead 1-8 to 0-9 at the break.

That lead was extended with the impressive Geary adding a huge free against the wind on the restart, before Sean Dowd put four between the sides after a nice move.

But the Gaels retreated into somewhat of a shell and invited Brownstown on to them and the Blues duly rose their game.

Points followed from Guerin, Cormac Foley (a massive free from his own half), Fitzsimons (two, one free) and the pick of the bunch from Paddy Reilly. Suddenly, Brownstown led by a solitary score.

Chulainn Dowd levelled with a free, Donal Lane replied for Brownstown to get back ahead, and then Sean Dowd levelled with a free as we headed for the finish line.

The Gaels had the chance to take it but a free dropped short and was cleared by sub Conor Shaw, who pointed from what seemed another parish for what we thought was the winner.

In the third minute of added time, however, Sean Dowd stepped up to level matters from a free and after 60 odd minutes of ebbs and flows , it finished all square.

Man of the match: Cian Geary (Southern Gaels). Even though he had to retire early, Geary was outstanding and scored four super points for his team. Brian Guerin, Jamie Fitzsimons and sub Conor Shaw were best for the Blues, while the Dowds (Chulainn and Sean), Kieran Duncan the Martins (Diarmuid, Johnny and Eamon) also shone for the Gaels.

Score of the game: Again it was that man Geary with a monstrous score from all of 90 yards just before the break that was a joy to behold.

Scorers - Southern Gaels: C Dowd 1-5 (0-5 frees); C Geary (1f) and S Dowd (2f) 0-4 each. Brownstown: J Fitzsimons 0-5 (3f); B Guerin and D Lane 0-3 each; P Reilly 0-2; R Dugdale, C Foley (f) and C Shaw 0-1 each.

Brownstown: James Moore; Oisin Kiernan, Phillip Gilsenan, Kenny Higgins; Tiernan Purcell, Conor Rice, Tom Flynn; Brian Guerin, Robert Dugdale; Emmett Cunneen, Donal Lane, Jamie Fitzsimons; Cormac Foley, Niall Leonard, Paddy Reilly. Subs: Conor Shaw for Leonard, H-T; Anthony Mulvaney for Cunneen, 46 mins.

Southern Gaels: Jonathan Keogh; Shane Galvin, Kieran Duncan, Diarmaid Murtagh; Cian Geary, Cian McCarthy, Dermot Treacy; Diarmuid Martin, Kevin Dolan; Maurice Fitzgerald, Sean Dowd, Chulainn Dowd; Johnny Martin, Sean Murphy, Eamon Martin. Subs: Evan Farrell for Fitzgerald, 41 mins; Fionn Dowd for J Martin, 46; Luke Whelan for Dolan, 52; Luke O’Connell for Geary, 56; MJ Kelly for Murphy, 58.

Referee: Ken Gunning.