We made the short journey to Shandonagh on Sunday last to take on The Downs in the Quarter Final of the Championship. As with several of the games over the weekend across the county, the supporters got full value for their money from this game, as both teams served up an absorbing contest that was finally decided in extra time. In a game that had more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie novel, it was Bun who emerged victorious by two points when Mick Gordon sounded the whistle for the final time in the match.
Bun made a bright start to the game and had the first point on the board from Kenny Conroy after Barry O Mara and Mark Donnelly combined to set him up. The Downs equalised with a point of their own before Barry O Mara scored from a free on seven minutes.
O Mara had the next three points on the board, the first a neat one fisted over the bar after he turned his man well on the endline, before winning and converting his own free. He added another free to open up a five points to one lead after twenty minutes. Bun were having joy from the incisive runs from players all over the pitch, most notably John Kiernan and Aidan Finnan in the middle.
The Downs enjoyed a purple patch after this and kicked the next four scores over six minutes to leave the game even with four minutes left to the break. Simon Moorehead ventured forward to kick his now customary score from corner back after some great build up play. Finian Newman got his name on the score sheet after O Mara found him in space after a good turn over from the Bun forwards. At the short whistle Bun led 0:07 to 0:05.
The Downs emerged from the second half eager to impress their hold on the game. They fired 1-02 in the opening minutes of the half to assert their control on the game to lead by three. Fintan Finnan responded for Bun with a neat point off his left foot after O Mara found him in space in the 37th minute.
The Downs kept pushing forward and kicked their latest point from play with a classy break away score. Aidan Finnan drove forward to hit the net on the second time of asking to bring Bun right back into the game. Finnan showed excellent composure to score after his shot was well saved by the keeper.
The Downs replied instantly with a goal of their own. They worked the ball up the field in a lightning fashion to turn the tide in their favour once again on the 45th minute mark. Peter Tormey replied for Bun with a trade mark shot off his left foot before The Downs pounced on a mistake in the Bun defence to score their third goal and leave four points in it with five minutes left to play. Indeed they added another point to stretch five ahead in what was looking like the end of the road for the Bun men.
However, as they have showed time and again throughout the year, they simply don’t know when they are beaten. After surviving another goal attempt which came off the post, Bun set about reducing the deficit. First, Peter Tormey scored from a mark to leave four in it.
As time ticked down, Bun put together one of the moves of the game. David Newman, & Matthew Hope drove at the opposition defence before laying off to Tormey who in turn found John Kiernan who unleashed a powerful shot to the bottom right hand corner of the net in the second minute of injury time.
With time almost up, Aidan Finnan drove forward one last time. He was fouled on the 45 and with some quick thinking he found Ken Conroy in limited space before Ken applied the finish, a wonderful curling effort from 35 yards with the left foot to the jubilation of the Bun crowd. With that Mick Gordon sounded the whistle to ensure extra time would be needed.
Buoyed by the end to normal time, Bun were the dominant team in extra time. Their wily warriors came to the fore in this time. Aidan Finnan kicked a free from the ground before Tormey scored a point from distance. Finnan followed Tormey’s effort with a booming point with the outside of the boot to give Bun some breathing space.
The Downs replied with a free before Noel Yourell got in on the act with a fisted point to restore their three point lead at half time in extra time.
Barry O Mara finished the second half strongly, kicking two points and setting up Tormey for another. O Mara’s first point during this time was a glorious effort from out on the left. His second was after a great mark taken with time almost up to put Bun five ahead. The Downs replied with another goal from a free right on full time. There was huge delight among the Bun support as Mick Gordon blew the final whistle to ensure Bun emerged victorious.
This was an absorbing game and Bun can be proud of their battling qualities to pull victory from what was a likely defeat with five minutes left in normal time. There was huge performances throughout the team and this was backed up by stellar showings from all the subs. Peter Tormey, Shane McGovern, Noel Yourell and David Newman all made significant contributions when introduced.
This strength in depth will be tested to the max again in two weeks time when we take on St. Joseph’s in the Semi Final. Best of luck to the players and management in their preparations.
Team: Liam Mitchell, Simon Moorehead, Joe Tormey, Ronan Scally, Matthew Hope, Andy Whitney, Luke Kiernan, Aidan Finnan, John Kiernan, Mark Donnelly, Fintan Finnan, Enda Newman, Ken Conroy, Barry O Mara & Finian Newman. Subs: Peter Tormey for Enda Newman (27 Mins), Shane McGovern for Luke Kiernan (Half Time), Noel Yourell for Andy Whitney (44 Mins), Dave Newman for Mark Donnelly (54 Mins), Luke Kiernan for Finian Newman (Extra Time), Conor Newman for Joe Tormey (Extra Time), Enda Newman for Fintan Finnan (Extra Time), Alan Maguire, Tommy Murphy, Gavin Lyons, Darragh McCormack, Cian Tighe & Darragh Lyons.
