PHOTOS/REPORT: Culloty Rescues Draw For Na Gaeil Against 13 Man Glenbeigh/Glencar

Gavin O’Connor reports on the Junior Premier County Final between Na Gaeil and Glenbeigh/Glencar in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday afternoon…

Na Gaeil 0-9

Glenbeigh-Glencar 1-6

Andrew Barry and Jamie Lowham celebrate David Culloty's last gasp equaliser. Photo by Dermot Crean — Andrew Barry and Jamie Lowham celebrate David Culloty’s last gasp equaliser. Photo by Dermot Crean

NA GAEIL rescued a draw with the last kick of the game against Glenbeigh/Glencar who played 20 minutes plus stoppage time down to 13 men in what was a very poor final played in bad conditions.

Na Gaeil wing back, David Culloty, levelled the game with a shot from from 35 yards out that sailed over the bar at the death.

It was sweet relief for Na Gaeil who would have been brutally disappointed not to benefit from a two-man advantage for so long.

Continued below…

Trailing by three points with a minute left on the clock, scores came from Michael Griffin, Darragh Carmody and Culloty to pull it out of the fire.

Conditions contributed greatly to a match that was difficult to watch from a spectators point of view. With rain teeming down, a game of football struggled to breakout as bodies were flung across the turf with very little open football.

Na Gaeil Glenbeigh mid — Midfield action during a heavy sun shower. Photo by Dermot Crean

In the first half, Na Gaeil were unlucky to go in three 1-4 t0 0-4 down at the break. Playing against the breeze, they had the greater amount of chances but could not build up a decent lead.

With the game very scrappy, Glenbeigh-Glencar took the lead for the first time in the match two minutes into added time in the first half. A goal from Darran O’Sullivan against the run of play poked them ahead.

Na Gaeil Glenbeigh 4 — Darran O’Sullivan slides the ball past Timmy Culloty for Glenbeigh/Glencar’s goal. Photo by Dermot Crean

As the ball skidded in front of goal, showing soccer skills that once saw him as get a trial at QPR, the Kerry star neatly took a first touch around goalkeeper, Timmy Culloty, and tapped the ball to the net. A minute later, full-forward Gavin O’Grady put the Mid-Kerry club three points up.

Glenbeigh’s sending-offs came within a minute of each other in the second half. First it was Tommy Cahill after he kicked Stefan Okunbor who had just come on the pitch and next it was Stephen O’Sullivan who recieved his marching orders.

Na Gaeil Glenbeigh red 1 — Tommy Cahill gets a red card…

Na Gaeil Glenbeigh red 2 — …followed by No.10 Stephen O’Sullivan (second left).

But despite the numerical advantage, Na Gaeil struggled to create scoring chances and when they did, wayward shooting was looking like it would be their downfall.

With Na Gaeil staring defeat in the face, they finally found their shooting boots and earned another shot at the title. The replay is set for October 30.

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Scorers

Na Gaeil: Darragh Carmody 0-6 (3f), Mike Griffin 0-1, Diarmuid Herlihy, 0-1, David Culloty

Glenbeigh/Glencar: Gavin O’Grady 0-4 (2f), Darren O’Sullivan 1-1, Caolim Teahan

Na Gaeil

1. Timmy Culloty

2. Eoghan Sheehy
3. Kieran Dineen
4. Eoin Walsh

5. Eoin O’Neill
6. Andrew Barry
7. David Culloty

8. Jack Barry
9. Dan O’Connor

10. Seamus O’Neill
11. Ian McCarthy
12. Kieran O’Donovan

13. Darragh Carmody
14. Mike Griffin (capt)
15. Diarmuid Herlihy

Substitutes

Shane Carey for Seamus O’Neill (10mins)
Stefan Okunbor for Dan O’Connor (10mins)
Jamie Lowham for Ian McCarthy (19mins)
Colm Lyons for Eoin Walsh (28mins)

Glenbeigh-Glencar

1. Rory O’Connor

2. Sean Roche
3. Jeremiah Hoare
4. Kieran Doyle

5. Jack Brosnan
6. Pa Kilkenny
7. Caolim Teahan

8. Colin McGillycuddy (capt)
9. Fergal Griffin

10. Stephen O’Sullivan
11. Darren O’Sullivan
20. Danny O’Sullivan

13. Tommy Cahill
14. Gavin O’Grady
15. Daniel Griffin

Substitutes

Kieran Courtney for Daniel Griffin (15mins)
Leon Seidler for Jack Brosnan

Referee: Donal Casey (Scartaglen)