Goals win games and this was to prove to be the difference in a sunny Palmerstown on Saturday 20th April 2019, when the two 2017 Intermediate Finalists met.
The opening exchanges were tough and would remain so for the first half. The teams were level on 0-3 a-piece in the 12th minute but proceedings were halted for the next quarter of an hour as a serious injury to GBC’s full-back Bob Murphy resulted in him being removed to hospital. After the resumption, GBC’s Sean Ryan scored a wonderful goal which gave the locals the lead, which they subsequently would not relinquish. Goal-keeper Ciaran Hoyne made two impressive saves before the end of the first half which kept the half time score to GBC 1-7 St.Patrick’s 0-8.
Early points were exchanged by each side in the second half but when Aaron Brennan broke through to score GBC’s second goal the locals continued with an ever growing confidence. A third goal in the 41st minute saw the writing on the wall for St. Patrick’s to be closely followed by another from Conor Murphy. St. Patrick’s did respond with two further points but when Sean Ryan found the net again it was all over for their opponents.
GBC ran out 5-14 to 0-16 winners and earned their first two points as a senior team. From start to finish this was an excellent performance from GBC and everyone contributed to the victory. They can now turn their attention to the 3rd Round which will take place on the 22nd May in Dunnamaggin where their opponents will be the Rower-Inistioge.
Final Score: GBC 5-14 St.Patrick’s 0-16.
Scores: S.Ryan 2-3, A.Brennan 2-1, C.Murphy 1-3(2fs) , B.Ryan 0-3, S.O’Dwyer 0-2, J.Roberts, S.Butler 0-1 each.
Report by Philomena Brennan