Forde's late score seals victory for Slane

Premier Football Championship

Slane... 2-12

St Michael's... 2-11

Slane GFC kicked off their Premier 5 Football Championship with a tight win over St. Michael’s in Carlanstown on Tuesday night.

This game was one to remember for five young men who started on the field for their first Adult Championship game; Paschal Ayres, Ryan Weldon, Kevin O’Neill, Cormac Dunne & Jack Tully.

The first three minutes of this game saw the ball fly up and down the field but ultimately St. Micheal’s were ones to get the first score of the night. It took Slane another few minutes to settle into a rhythm which allowed Oisin Mooney to get the first Slane point in the 6th minute.

St. Micheals did return with another point but Oisin Mooney had more in him and secured a goal in the 10th minute. This goal came from a fantastic play of ball from midfielder Conor Forde.

The 12th minute saw Shane Traynor win Slane a free kick which the reliable Danny Carolan converting it. The next four minutes were good for the Slane forwards, seeing Jack Tully shoot and secure his first point in his first adult championship game. This point again came from super work and play from Conor Forde.

Danny Carolan tipped over another free in the 18th minute. However in the next five minutes, we seen two points from play from the St. Michael’s men. In the 23rd minute, a penalty was given to the men in red and black which was put neatly in the back of the net.

Kevin Dunne got himself on the scoreboard with a point from play in the 26th minute with Danny Carolan scoring the equalising point just before half time. Half time saw a scoreline of 1:06 to each team.

The second half saw the introduction of Evan Burlingham for Michael Leavey, Gordon Finnegan for Jack Tully and Josh Smith for Ryan Weldon.

The second half was slow for both teams, but yet again it was St. Michael’s who secured the first point of the half. Within the first 5 minutes of the second half we saw the introduction of two stellar forwards Sean Murray and Matthew Tully. Paschal Ayres made a fantastic catch near the Slane goal to bring the ball back into play for the Slane Men.

The next seven minutes saw both teams score a point each from a free kick, ours coming from Danny Carolan.

Gordon Finnegan got himself on the scoreboard with a steady point over the bar. Slane’s task, tough while it was in the match, was made all the more easier in no small part by Gavin Carolan and Eoin Feeley who manned the 3 and 6 jerseys with great distinction.

Conor Forde had a vital role on some great build up work during the game and registered a point himself in the 15th minute of the second half along with another point coming very quickly from the nifty Sean Murray.

In the 16th minute we saw a very quick goal for St. Michael’s coming from a Slane kick out with 3 solid passes and the ball being buried into the back of the net.

Slane’s Matthew Tully replied to their goal with one of his own, slotting into the top right corner.

St. Michael’s never gave in and gave the Slane men a battle at every stage of the game, with two points coming in the later stages from a free and play. Danny Carolan registered his last point from play in the 25th minute.

The 28th minute saw Conor Forde step up and score the winner for Des Teeling’s men.

Slane - Michael Leavey, Paschal Ayres, Gavin Carolan, Liam White, Ryan Weldon, Eoin Feeley, Kevin O’Neill, Conor Forde (0-2), Cormac Dunne, Danny Carolan (0-5), Kevin Dunne (0-1), Shane Traynor, Jack Tully (0-1), Oisin Mooney (1-1), Matty McClean. Subs - Gordon Finnegan (0-1), Evan Burlingham, Josh Smith, Matthew Tully (1:0), Sean Murray (0-1)