Pádraig Pearses lead the way in Herald Team of the Week
Eoin Colleran excelled for Pádraig Pearses as they lead the way in Herald Team of the Week. Picture: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
Pádraig Pearses lead the way in the Herald Team of the Week after their ruthless dismantling of St. Faithleach’s in the Hodson Bay Hotel Group senior semi final. Overall, 10 clubs are included with the leaders coming to the fore across the board in what was a jam packed weekend of action.
Here are the 15 players who stood out most for us.
Éire Óg were far from comfortable in their win over St. Michael’s with Lavin producing three key saves in the first half. Cathal Guckian, Niall Sheerin and Niall Conlon all produced decent efforts on goal but Lavin’s ability to sniff out any potential threat saw him make himself big and ask the St. Michael’s players to produce something truly special to beat him.
Neary’s barnstorming 2025 continues as he inspired Strokestown to a county final showdown with Éire Óg. He provided the lungbursting run that led to Strokestown’s first goal from Diarmuid McGann while he drove his side forward at every opportunity. After Colin Murray’s last gasp free dropped short, Neary beat four Fuerty players to get his side out of danger before earning a free that ensured victory.
Facing into a stiff breeze during the second half, St. Brigid’s spot in the county final was far from secure. They needed their leaders to stand up and Brian Stack did just that. The inter county man was relentless in driving his side forward, snuffing out Clann attacks and bringing his usual composure to proceedings. Another display laced with leadership and quality.
Despite fierce competition from Clann duo Paddy Gavin and Tom Lennon and Strokestown’s David Neary, the St. Aidan’s corner back gets the nod. McCarthy drove his side forward at every available opportunity as he stood tall when his side were down to 14 men, playing against the elements in the second half, all while trying to hang on to a four point half time lead. Typified his side’s battling spirit on the day.
Ward was desperately unlucky to find himself on the losing side after Fuerty’s gutsy effort against Strokestown. The wing back buried 1-1 as his catch from Gearoid Ennis’ delivery was majestic while his finish to the roof of the net was superb. He ran himself into the ground as his surges from deep proved effective while he contributed handsomely in defence and in the middle third.
Another brilliant performance from a player in top form. Crawley’s fingerprints were all over his side’s positive play as he kicked two points, won kickouts and produced key turnovers. When their lead was cut to five points late on, Crawley kicked the next score before teeing up Jason Doory to finally help his side pull away from a gutsy St. Michael’s outfit.
St. Brigid’s Paul McGrath pushed hard for inclusion but Wynne was part of a rock solid Ballinameen defence that paved the way for an enormous victory. The wing back’s ability to withstand fierce St. Aidan’s pressure when in possession and help carve out presentable opportunities for his charges was a huge feature of his side’s win. His teammate Eoghan Keaveney also impressed but Wynne deserves his spot after his quality showing.
What a campaign the Pearses midfielder is having! Ryan lorded the Kiltoom skies last Saturday evening as he produced another tour de force display. After a tight opening quarter, he gave Pearses a vice like grip on the midfield exchanges while his interplay and ability to pick off scores are huge weapons for a Pearses side who possess multiple ways to hurt teams.
Before Clann’s game against St. Brigid’s, the feeling was that Ultan Harney needed a big display. He more than produced the goods as he hassled, harried and looked razor sharp every time he had possession of the size five O’Neill’s football. Harney was a colossus and showed his leadership qualities with his enforced departure from the game a huge blow for Clann.
After lining out for St. Brigid’s B to get himself back up to speed in the early part of the year, it is fair to say that Derwin now appears to have found his groove. He was back to his best in terms of his use of possession while he brought a composure that Brigid’s needed up front. Three points from play justified his inclusion from the start.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Once more, Dessie Carlos stood up when needed most as for the second successive game, he kicked a two-point free to win his side a game. His contribution was much more than just slotting a pressure free. He dictated the terms of engagement especially when Ballinameen played into the elements against St. Aidan’s. A leader’s performance!
His teammate Declan Kenny is unlucky to miss out but when St. Faithleach’s were matching Pearses blow for blow in the opening stages, Jack Tumulty was demanding possession and driving his side forward at every available opportunity. He has added a greater consistency in front of the posts and that allied with his superb running game makes him a dangerous proposition for St. Brigid’s in two and a half weeks time. Another quality display.
His brother Ruadhan was also close to inclusion as was Éire Óg’s Jason Doory, but Fiachra Henry gets the nod as he spearheaded St. Michael’s challenge against Éire Óg. He produced a majestic leap from Shane O’Dowd’s ’45 to gather possession and fire a missile to the roof of the net. Henry ran himself into the ground as even though he lined out in the inside line, he also procured turnovers and fought valiantly in the middle third in an all action display.
The St. Croan’s full forward line of Brogan, Kevin Lambert and Conor Kennedy were on fire in their side’s victory over Western Gaels. Brogan gets the nod after he kicked 1-5, 1-4 from play. His scoring tally only describes part of his influence as he proved an extremely effective focal point while his acumen helped bring others into the game and give a rampant Croan’s the opportunity to send out a statement of intent.
Devastating. The word that feels most appropriate to describe Eoin Colleran’s performance against St. Faithleach’s. The Pearses corner forward is in top form and he showed that with 2-4 in his side’s romp to the county final. Even when Pearses had long stamped their passport to another county decider, Colleran was still running amok and continued to snaffle up any and every opportunity. A player who could prove vital to Pearses’ hopes of retaining the Fahey Cup for the first time.
