All Stars Defeat League Champions

Tuesday 31.12.2019

Club

The Teamtalk All Stars retained the Myles McCann Memorial Cup  thanks to a strong finish against league champions Dromore at Gardrum Park on Sunday afternoon. As well as enjoying a highly entertaining and competitive game the sizeable crowd in attendance helped boost the donations to the three local charities and a huge thanks once again to Kieran Kennedy of O’Neills for his outstanding backing of this game.

Midfielder Ronan McNamee opened the scoring for the All Stars but the St.Dympnas were soon level thanks to a point from their lively captain Eoin McCusker, the first of his eight scores in the contest. The All Stars then hit the front with an outstanding goal from Lee Brennan as he left a number of defenders in his wake before finishing to the net in style. McCusker and Daniel Kerr traded points but either side of those scores the All Stars grabbed another goal via Cathair Quinn.

Dromore though dug deep with McCusker converting a free and Emmett McNabb weighing in with a brace from play. McNamee, Matty McGuigan, Aidan McGarrity (2), Sean Og McAleer and Brennan all registered for the All Stars before the break to leave them 2-8 to 0-7 in front, McCusker with another brace for Dromore.

McCusker and Liam Nugent exchanged early second half points before Dromore hit a real purple patch to get on top. McCusker converted two frees either side of scores from Emmett McNabb, Tiernan Sludden, Cahir Goodwin, Declan McNulty and Sean McNabb as they hit seven in a row to level the game at 2-9 to 0-15. They could well have been in front but for a couple of outstanding saves from All Star keeper Oisin O’Kane to go along with a breathtaking one handed stop in the opening half.

The momentum was very much with Dromore at this stage but Allstars manager Mickey Harte rallied his side and they responded as they closed out the game on top. Daire Gallagher got forward from centre half back to get a vital point and that was quickly followed by one from Nugent. A patient build up then resulted in Brennan offloading the ball to McGarrity who blasted it to the net. Niall McElroy tagged on a point to leave the final score line reading 3-12 to 0-15.

Many thanks to all who participated in Sunday’s game; players, mentors, match officials, Dromore club for hosting, O ‘Connor’s Bar for providing the refreshments and O’Neills International Sportswear for their continued support.