First Herald Senior Team of the Week announced
Peter Gillooly kicked four points from play for Roscommon Gaels in their opening round win over Castlerea St. Kevin's. Picture: Bernie O'Farrell.
Akin to any long distance race at the Olympic Games, most of the favourites have put themselves firmly in the mix to lift the Fahey Cup. St. Brigid’s don’t appear to have made the same mistake that Jakob Ingebrigtsen did in his 1500m final by setting too firm a pace in the early stages of this race for glory as Anthony Cunningham's men eased to victory over Michael Glaveys.
Tulsk meanwhile, similar to Cole Hocker who took gold in that 1500m race, show that the ability to hang tough and time their run to the finish line is a valuable skill to possess. With Clann na nGael, Boyle and Roscommon Gaels all victorious the competition was intense for a spot on the Senior Team of the Week. Here we take you through the 15 players who have set the early pace for this year’s Hodson Bay sponsored Senior Football Championship.
It was a relatively quiet weekend for goalkeepers in the Hodson Bay sponsored Senior Football Championship. However, Cormac Sheehy did the necessary as his side conceded just six points while his kickouts were accurate. It helps to possess Ruairí Fallon and Shane Cunnane as your midfield combination, but they did face Caoileann Fitzmaurice and Conor Hussey. However, Sheehy’s restarts were accurate as he executed the basics to a high standard.
The half back line produced the largest number of nominees to be included in this team, so a liberty was taken here. Gavin did start at wing back, but he produced much of his best work close to his own goal to ensure Pearses were never able to shake off a determined home side. The Clann defence came under much more pressure than their counterparts, but Gavin was key in giving his side a fighting chance, which was all they needed.
Pearse Frost can consider himself unlucky not to be included but Dolan showed more of an attacking threat, highlighted by his fine point from play. The Glaveys full forward line were restricted to just two points, with only one of those from play. They were helped by their team’s work out the field but Dolan’s role in a miserly Brigid’s defence should not be underestimated.
In what was a strong week for defenders, Purcell makes the cut after being a key part of a Boyle defence that shipped just eight scores. Purcell continues to show his value to this Boyle team. Between calling a halt to St. Dominics’ forays up the field or driving his side forward from deep, Purcell is unquestionably a significant leader for this Boyle outfit.
Kenny was Pádraig Pearses’ best on show and had produced a near flawless display until he made an error of judgement in not squaring possession to Jack Tumulty down the stretch which would have pushed the Woodmount side five in front. However, that should not wipe away a brilliant display up until that juncture as the wing back kicked three points from play, all in the second half, with his last score one of the points of the weekend.
The Clann centre back made mistakes but with Clann at times being too lateral in their play, Sumner’s willingness to take the direct route to goal was a valuable commodity. He was a constant headache for the Pearses defence while he manned the centre of his defence with admirable determination. He summed up Clann’s performance: not perfect but was willing to leave no stone unturned in the search for a precious two points on the board.
Tulsk secured the result of the round when they upset Oran with a dramatic injury time goal from Kieran Donoghue. Up until that point, Gaughan had done everything possible to keep his side afloat as his stunning opening half goal, which saw him secure possession on halfway before powering through and finishing with a sweet strike, kept Tulsk firmly in the mix. Gaughan forced some huge turnovers and gave his side reason to believe even as the game appeared to be slipping away.
The Roscommon Gaels midfielder helped his side gain control around the middle third and was willing to use direct ball to put Castlerea’s defence under significant pressure. Purcell’s deliveries allowed the Roscommon Gaels attack to flourish in the second half while his three point haul was valuable. His booming effort moments after throw in was a sign of what was to come as Purcell proved a driving force for an important opening round win.
Although he was quieter in the final half of proceedings in Johnstown, Lennon was still a key player in Clann’s stunning come from behind victory over Pádraig Pearses. Clann were forced to live off scraps in the first period, but Lennon produced some excellent fetches in midfield that allowed his side to drive forward. Lennon’s ability to lead his side particularly during that first half typified Clann’s determination to not be overturned on home soil.
The Boyle wing forward marked his Championship debut in style as he kicked 0-3, all from play. With Boyle devoid of key players including Daire Cregg, Cian McKeon and Luke Glennon, last year’s county finalists needed somebody to step up and take ownership. Cathal McKeon did just that and his trio of points were of the highest quality to help Boyle secure a crucial opening round win.
An easy choice to include Conor Hand after his five points, all from play, saw St. Brigid’s start their campaign with a routine 11 point triumph over Michael Glaveys. Hand signalled his and St. Brigid’s intent when scoring straight off a set play from the throw in. Hand’s angles of running and his continued physical development make him a key cog in a potent St. Brigid’s attack.
Despite Tulsk struggling at times in attack, they still managed to kick 3-7, thanks mainly to the unselfish work done out the field by Thomas O’Rourke. The Tulsk half forward managed to win three crucial turnovers inside his own 45m line. It was that off the ball work which helped Tulsk procure a famous victory. O’Rourke also kicked two points with his point from play proving important as he slotted over just before the break to keep his side’s interests alive.
The Walsh brothers kicked 0-7 between them but it was Darragh who took the fight to Tulsk with his five point haul appearing to be enough for his side to secure the spoils. Walsh helped his side into a two point advantage deep into injury time as he popped up with scores at key stages of the contest. The Oran attacker showed a willingness to demand the ball at every opportunity as he kicked four points from play in an assured attacking display.
Despite being starved of possession Connaughton kicked 1-1 and looked a danger throughout. The full forward won a turnover that led to an Adam McDermott score while he took his goal with aplomb to give Castlerea the half time lead. Although Roscommon Gaels snuffed out any notions of a famous win, if Castlerea can find a way to get Connaughton more involved, then they can secure their status at the top tier at the very least.
An easy choice as the attacker kicked four points, all from play, in a virtuoso display. After a feeling out period at the start of the game, Gillooly highlighted his class in the second quarter as after the sides were deadlocked at 0-3 apiece, Gillooly slotted three of his side’s next four scores. After his side fell three down in the final period, unsurprisingly it was Gillooly who started the comeback with a superb outside of the boot effort and from there Mark Dowd’s side found another gear.
