Mike O’Halloran was at the Junior Premier Club Championship match between Na Gaeil and Finuge which had to be abandoned this afternoon…

Finuge 0-4

Na Gaeil 0-4

(match abandoned after 20 minutes)

What began as a very lively competitive encounter between Finuge and Na Gaeil ended after 20 minutes in the most upsetting manner, when the game had to be abandoned when two of the Finuge players were injured and had to be removed to hospital by ambulance.

This was a most distressing day for the players their families and the supporters with players and supporters quite emotional after the game.

We wish both players a speedy recovery from their injuries in the care of the professionals and their families.

The match itself began with Jack Barry winning a ball at the throw in and racing through for a point for Na Gaeil after 12 seconds. He also set up Eoghan Sheehy for point number two.

Diarmuid O’Connor added a point on three minutes and it looked as if Na Gaeil would run away with the game, but the resilient Finuge boys dug in and managed to get to grips with Na Gaeil.

Darragh Shanahan won a ball close in and was fouled, Ricky Heffernan pointed the free. On eleven minutes Jack Barry stroked over a left footed point to put Na Gaeil ahead by three.

Straight after, Ricky Heffernan was fouled and was replaced by a “blood sub” Jason Wallace, Maurice Corridon tapped over the free kick.

Finuge had another free chance squandered before Maurice Corridon fired over another free on fourteen minutes.

Paudie Galvin wore number ten but lined out at corner back came up field to draw Finuge level four points all.

Daragh Shanahan brought a great save from Timmy Culloty in the Na Gaeil goal.
About a minute later the unfortunate injury occurred resulting in the game being ended.

As I said at the beginning this was a most upsetting day especially for the injured players and their families we wish them all well.