League

Abbeyleix
Spectators: 6773 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1773, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Blathmac Deans got the match started through his kick off. Meenachallow AFC's Gearoid Mullan quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Carrigan McFrank, made in the 3rd minute of the game. Brennon Scully sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 14 minutes into the match, Meenachallow AFC's goalkeeper Jarlath Sheridan had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Brain McAlphie. 17 minutes into the match, Meenachallow AFC's Rownun Ghee sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Gehan McLian narrowly saved just below the crossbar. 19 minutes into the game, Abbeyleix Utd's Brain McAlphie nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Jarlath Sheridan made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. Gehan McLian didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Rownun Ghee went, in the 23rd minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. Brett Beckett kicked well hit freekick during the 28th minute of the match. Brett Beckett hit a great freekick 31 minutes into the match. The supporters of Meenachallow AFC booed when Abbeyleix Utd was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 34 match minutes in a wonderful position. Carrigan McFrank didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 45th minute, Brett Beckett hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Rownun Ghee made a kick off. Rownun Ghee sent away a hard shot on goal in the 52nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Abbeyleix Utd's Gehan McLian played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Rownun Ghee in the 60th minute of play. Gearoid Mullan hit a great freekick 65 minutes into the match. After 66 minutes, Gearoid Mullan mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Meenachallow AFC and the Abbeyleix Utd players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 66th match minute, Meenachallow AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gearoid Mullan to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in Meenachallow AFC's zone, Brain McAlphie stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jarlath Sheridan came out of the goal and Brain McAlphie tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Caoilte Gough hit a great freekick 71 minutes into the match. Rownun Ghee fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 77th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gehan McLian having to interfere. Brennon Scully received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 82nd minute. Gehan McLian tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Caoilte Gough hit a great freekick 84 minutes into the match. Jarlath Sheridan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Arthur Lester, who was totally free with the ball in the 85th minute. Meenachallow AFC's attentive Gearoid Mullan managed to snatch the ball when Carrigan McFrank made a throw-in in the 88th minute of the game. Brett Beckett hit a great freekick 91 minutes into the match. When Timmons Harkin came up free with the goalie in the 95th minute, the Meenachallow AFC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Timmons Harkin couldn't finish the play. Abbeyleix Utd succeeded in salvaging a draw, even though Meenachallow AFC had controlled the match.