Galbally Do Just Enough To Overcome Stewartstown.

Saturday 01.10.2011

Club

The game finishes 2-10 to 1-11 in favour of Galbally and they are through to the intermediate championship final where they await the winners of Kildress and Loughmacrory. However they will miss the towering presence of Micky Murphy in the middle of the field following his sending off today.

We are into injury time and the gap is two points but worryingly for Galbally they are now down to twelve men following a straight red card for former county star Micky Murphy.

Time is running out for Stewartstown and they need a goal and they need it quickly while Galbally will be praying for the final whistle now.

Things are getting heated in Coalisland as Galbally are down to thirteen and Stewartstown down to fourteen. Gareth Devlin and Eamon Mc Elroy picked up double yellows and were followed to the line by Galbally Keeper Michael Corr after his second yellow. The score is now Galbally 2-10 Stewartstown 1-9 with the last two scores coming from Declan Murphy for Galbally and Ryan Devlin for the Harps.

There are nine minutes left and Gareth Devlin lands two frees to leave just four in it now. This is where character and will to win are most tested but if Galbally want to return to senior football these are the tests they must pass.

Could the comeback be on? Last time out Galbally just managed to hold on and now Steartstown have closed the gap further with a point from substitute Owen Coyle. That is three points in a row from the Harps so it will be interesting to see if The Pearses can hold their nerve when still leading by six points,2-09 to 1-06.

Ten minutes gone in the second half and following another Galbally point, this time from Patrick Rafferty, Stewartstown hit two in a row from Niall Dillon and Paul Dillon to close the gap slightly 2-09 to 1-05.

A mixture of fine weather and good football brings out the crowds and with two good games and a mild evening close on 2,000 people have turned up to watch today’s games.

The action is underway at Fr Peter Campbell Park and Paul Rafferty and Blaine Nugent give Galbally the perfect start as the Pearses extend their lead to 2-8 to 1-3 with three minutes of the second half gone.

Blaine Nugent extended Galbally’s lead with a great score from wing half back after a fine pass from Patrick Rafferty but just when it was most needed Stewartstown hit a great goal. Gareth Devlin side stepped and dummied his way past three different defenders before finishing the ball to the bottom right hand corner of the net, a fantastic individual effort which leaves the half time score Galbally 2-06, Stewartstown 1-03.

Half back Martin Campbell gives Stewartstown hope with their third score of the day but Patrick Rafferty then converts a monster free from out wide on the left to leave the score 2-05 to 0-03 in favour of Galbally with one minute until the break.

Twenty five minutes in and Galbally remain in control with Paul Rafferty in great form as he adds another point. This is followed by a further point from Ciaran Mc Crory before Gareth Devlin gets The Harps second point of the day. With half time not far away Galbally lead 2-04 to 0-02.

Seventeen minutes in and Paul Rafferty turns neatly onto his left foot to knock over his team’s second point of the game. it is now 2-02 to 0-01 after what can only be described as a blistering start from Galbally.

Ciaran Mc Crory gets a point for the Pearses before Gareth Devlin finally opens Stewartstown’s account with a point from play on thirteen minutes. Galbally lead 2-01 to 0-01.

It just gets better and better for Galbally who love scoring early goals in Coalisland. It is goal number two this time from the penalty spot after Ciaran Mc Crory was pulled down. top scorer Paul Rafferty converts and it is 2-0 to no score six minutes gone.

Game on and it is Michael Mc Carron in charge. Two minutes in and the perfect start from Galbally as a fine pass from Patrick Rafferty finds Declan Murphy and the youngster makes no mistake with his shot hitting the net.

Two points was all that separated these two teams the the Division 2 league this year.   On that occasion it was Galbally that came out on top with a 3-7 to 0-14 victory at home over the Harps back on 6th July.  Stewartstown will be hoping that they can reverse that result this afternoon.  Teamtalkmag.com will be LIVE in Coalisland to bring you all the action as and when it happens.  Join us here from 4.45pm.