Louth GAA club | Stabannon edge O’Raghs in thrilling IFC encounter
Stabannon Parnells 5-7 O’Raghallaighs 2-15
Stabannon Parnells opened their Louth GAA CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship campaign with a one-point win over O’Raghallaighs after an entertaining game at Pairc Ui Mhuiri, Dunleer on Saturday afternoon.
In ideal conditions, Stabannon could hardly have asked for a better start as Patrick Reynolds found the net from the first attack after only 30 seconds.
A minute later Bobby Butterly was brought down for a penalty, and his brother Harry confidently converted.Charlie McBride then added a point to leave Stabannon 2-1 to no score ahead after only three minutes.
O’Raghallaighs came into the game top of the table and soon settled following their opening win over Glen Emmets. Captain Ruairi Moore opened their account with a two-point free before Barry Finnegan added another two-pointer.
Colm Giggins added a point for Stabannon in the eighth minute. Stabannon struck again on 10 minutes as Harry Butterly's shot was kept out by goalkeeper Conor Browne, but Conor Clinton reacted quickly to put away the rebound.
John Horan led the O’Raghallaighs response as he kicked a fine point before scoring a goal on 16 minutes, and Moore's second two-pointer reduced the deficit to one.
Kyle McElroy levelled the game before Stabannon were awarded their second penalty on 26 minutes; Butterly again stepped forward and scored, only this time going to the opposite side.
The Drogheda side finished the half strongly as Daniel Reilly and Horan both pointed before McElroy drove a low left-footed effort beyond Ryan Halpenny on 29 minutes.
It was O’Raghallaighs' first lead of the afternoon and sent them into the break two points in front after an excellent first half.
Half time: Stabannon Parnells 4-2 O’Raghallaighs 2-10
They carried that momentum into the second period as Moore, Reilly and Horan all raised white flags as O’Raghallaighs began to put some daylight between the teams.
Stabannon needed a response and got it in the 42nd minute when Ryan Shevlin was introduced from the bench and scored a goal with his first touch following a good move started by the impressive Sean Reynolds.
Ben Rogan replied with a point for O’Raghallaighs, while Stabannon then lost Harry Butterly to injury.
The game was far from finished as Patrick Reynolds pointed a two-point free in the 55th minute before Clinton added another score three minutes later as Stabannon went on the attack again.
Rogan added O’Raghallaighs' final point, but Stabannon continued to press, and Tadhg Gorman added a point before Richard Rodgers eventually struck the decisive score after Jake Corrigan's effort came back off the upright.
O’Raghallaighs had one last opportunity but fired wide, which left Stabannon to hold on for victory. It was a dramatic finish to one of the most entertaining championship games so far and gives Stabannon a winning start to their campaign.
O’Raghallaighs are already guaranteed their place in the next stage, while Stabannon will meet Glen Emmets in their final group game in Ardee on Sunday, 13th September at 2.00pm, knowing Glen Emmets require a four-point win to advance at their expense.
Full time: Stabannon Parnells 5-7 O’Raghallaighs 2-15
Stabannon Parnells scorers: Harry Butterly 2-0 (2 pens), Patrick Reynolds 1-2 (1tpf), Conor Clinton 1-1, Ryan Shevlin 1-0, Charlie McBride 0-1, Colm Giggins 0-1, Tadhg Gorman 0-1, Richard Rodgers 0-1
O’Raghallaighs scorers: John Horan 1-3, Kyle McElroy 1-1, Ruairi Moore 0-5 (0-2 tpf, 1tp), Ben Rogan 0-2, Barry Finegan 0-2, Daniel Reilly 0-2.
Stabannon Parnells: Ryan Halpenny; Johnny McGee, Daniel Clinton, Aaron Dunne; Richard Rodgers, Bobby Butterly (c), Jake Corrigan; Colm Giggins, Harry Butterly; Patrick Reynolds, Conor Clinton, Alan Reynolds; Ciaran Titley, Sean Reynolds, Charlie McBride.
Subs: Mark Byrne on for Johnny McGee (20’), Paddy Farrelly on for Aaron Dunne (HT), Ryan Shevlin on for Charlie McBride (42’), Tadhg Gorman on for Colm Giggins (blood 43’), Tadhg Gorman on for Harry Butterly (52’)
O’Raghallaighs: Connor Browne; Conor Higgins, Stephen Murphy, Joe Meehan; Pearse Brannigan, Eoin Moore, Daniel Reilly; Conor McGinty, Olan Walshe; Senan McGinty, Barry Finegan, Ruairi Moore (c); John Horan, Kyle McElroy, Ben Rogan.
Subs: Danny Morgan on for Joe Meehan (13’), Harry Devitt on for Senan McGinty (52’)
Referee: Stephen Devlin (St Joseph's)