All-Ireland Inter-firms Final

DPO 3-7 Aclare Plastics 2-9

That a Sligo team should be condemned to suffer defeat is nothing unusual. But the manner of this latest reversal, last Saturday’s All-Ireland Inter-Firms SFC final, was tremendously cruel.
Aclare Plastics & Local Industry, a south Sligo amalgamation, were leading Dublin Prison Officers by two points (2-9 to 2-7) with full-time beckoning and, it seemed, a national title.
The third minute of stoppage-time signaled a sickening twist as the Connacht champions conceded a third goal – DPO centre-back Pat Forde the scorer – and the DPO (Dublin Prison Officers) stole a one-point lead (3-7 to 2-9).
A further three minutes of stoppage time followed at Mobhi Road (home of Na Fianna, a distinguished Dublin Senior club) but Aclare Plastics & Local Industry were unable to stitch together an equaliser.
A consolation for Sligo fans, amidst the disappointing after-match debris, was the sight of Curry native Paul Durcan accepting the All-Ireland trophy in his role as captain of the Dublin Prison Officers side.
Durcan, the most experienced member of Peter Ford’s Sligo Senior panel, had more than a solid game at midfield. Now a winner of two All-Ireland medals in this competition, he was involved in the bulk of DPO’s 10 scores, either through his passing or ability to earn possession.
His graft was required in a bruising sector where opposition midfielder Patrick Harte had an outstanding game. Scorer of two points, Harte was Aclare Plastics & Local Supplier’s most effective player.
Jinking attacker Gerry McGowan, who notched 1-7 when on the losing side (Abbott & Suppliers) in an All-Ireland Inter-firms SFC decider two years ago, was expected to carry the greatest threat for the Sligo representatives.
His tally of 1-3 (the goal coming from a wonderfully converted second-half penalty) indicates that he did well. But a more expressive contribution was certainly hampered by the remnants of a leg injury received the previous Sunday (while playing for Sligo Seniors in the Allianz League).
McGowan also provided the ‘assist’ for Shane Dunne, who shot Aclare Plastics & Local Industry’s second goal in the 26th minute of the second-half.
Dunne’s calmly finished goal, a low effort clipped past DPO net-minder Alan Birmingham, capped a splendid second-half revival by the Sligo-Leitrim Inter-firms champions.
Trailing by five points at the interval (2-4 to 0-5), having cheaply conceded two first-half goals, the situation worsened in the second period.
When Dan Kellegher, DPO’s first-half goalscorer, adroitly slipped the ball over Declan Egan’s crossbar, Aclare Plastics & Local Industry were floundering (2-7 to 0-6) midway through the second period.
Prompted from the sideline by manager Neil Egan and coach Eamon O’Hara, Aclare Plastics & Local Industry embarked on a stirring comeback, which culminated in Dunne’s goal.
There were 14 minutes left when centre-forward Brendan Egan, who had accepted McGowan’s pass, was unfairly impeded by the DPO defence.
Gerry McGowan, wearing No. 17, strolled up to the spot-kick and stroked the ball into the top corner.
This smashing goal, which clearly renewed the Aclare Plastics & Local Industry challenge, was followed by three excellent points in the next eight minutes. The difference was now a single point (2-7 to 1-9) thanks to the accuracy of John Marren, Patrick Harte and Brendan Egan.
The best of these three scores was the point scored by Patrick Harte, whose finish followed a powerful dash along the right flank.
James Curley, Aclare Plastics & Local Industry captain and marauding centre-back, played a prominent part in John Marren’s score.
Either side of Shane Dunne’s goal, the losers kicked two wides.
Aclare Plastics & Local Industry shot seven wides overall; during a blustery second-half, when they were favoured by a firm cross-field breeze, they wasted three opportunities.
It was the game’s last goal which unquestionably caused the most consternation for the losers, but the two goals which DPO scored in the first-half will also evoke rueful memories.
Although scrappy in origin, both goals had a remarkable impact.
An 11th minute point attempt from wing-back Gerry Murray dropped deceptively short and was diverted into the net by wily corner-forward Frank McEvoy, a former star of Co Meath club Navan O’Mahony’s.
Aclare Plastics & Local Industry goalkeeper Declan Egan tried to, but couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line.
After Paul Durcan went close with a 14th minute shot at Egan’s uprights, his colleague Kevin Morris pointed to extend DPO’s lead (1-2 to 0-2).
Aclare Plastics & Local Industry, whose points in the first-quarter were precise scores from Patrick Harte and Gerry McGowan, then exerted a spell of pressure.
This determined play only yielded one point (Gerry McGowan’s pointed free) but could have resulted in a further 1-1.
A terrific raid from Patrick Harte set up Matthew Walsh for a 17th minute opportunity which he curled just wide.
Within minutes Walsh was unlucky that the ball didn’t fall kindly for him, in front of DPO’s goal, after Shane Dunne’s worthy point attempt rebounded off the upright.
Indeed, Walsh should have realised that it was going to be one of those afternoons because his sixth minute shot came back off the same post which later denied Dunne.
DPO, whose influential players were corner-forwards Dan Kellegher and Frankie McGovern, responded to their opponents’ mini-spell of dominance by scoring another goal.
This 23rd minute score was low on style as it came from a direct ball pumped high into the Aclare Plastics & Local Industry goalmouth.
Possession spilled to Dan Kellegher, who, rather economically, put the ball into the net.
As if to prove that he could score from distance, Kellegher then pointed exquisitely – hitting the ball perfectly with the outside of his left foot.
The build-up to DPO’s sixth score of the first-half, Kevin Morris’ point, included a pass from Paul Durcan.
Aclare Plastics & Local Industry, for whom full-back Jimmy Hayes was competent, completed their first-half haul (0-5) when defender Stephen King and Gerry McGowan each pointed.
King’s point came via a long-range shot (which almost bounced over DPO goalkeeper Alan Birmingham for what would have been a bizarre, but welcome goal) while McGowan clinically converted a free.
Aclare Plastics & Local Industry’s only score of the third quarter was Matthew Walsh’s crisply-taken point.
Few goals will better the one which Pat Forde supplied in injury-time (the centre-back’s finish was emphatic) but the game yielded two other notable goal hints.
DPO midfielder Padraig Carty’s looping shot in the eighth minute deserved more but came off the angle of crossbar and upright.
Within three minutes of the re-start Morgan McCormack’s rasping shot was destined for the net but DPO goalkeeper Alan Birmingham skilfully pushed the ball aside for a ‘45’.
Prison Officer Paul Durcan, who is familiar with Mobhi Road because of his playing commitments with Na Fianna, made one particularly vital intervention early in the second-half.
John Marren moved the ball intelligently in the right corner and his pass released Thomas Russell.
The Aclare Plastics & Local Industry player was about to carve a shooting chance when Paul Durcan intervened.
Of all the south Sligo men who sought a medal, Durcan emerged as the happiest.

teamsscorers

Dublin Prison Officers: Alan Birmingham, Padraig Mullaly, Henry Barry, Dan Sullivan, Gerry Murray, Pat Forde (1-0), Eamon Stapleton, Padraig Carty, Paul Durcan ©Trevor Gleeson, Chris Roddy, Kevin Morris (0-2), Dan Kellegher (1-2, 1f), Ken Gannon (0-1), Frank McEvoy (1-2)
Subs used: Brian Lawlor, Donal Keegan, Kieran Hetherton

Aclare Plastics & Local Industry: Declan Egan, Stephen King (0-1), Jimmy Hayes, Thomas Quinn, Diarmuid Dunne, James Curley © Frank Leonard, Patrick Harte (0-2), Morgan McCormack, Matthew Walsh (0-1), Brendan Egan (0-1), Shane Dunne (1-0), John Marren (0-1), Gerry McGowan (1-3, 1-0 pen, 2f), Thomas Russell
Subs used: John Egan, Martin Cunnie

Referee: Seamus McCormack (Meath)

matchreaction

Durcan takes another title
Having played in three All-Ireland Inter-firms finals in three years, and having twice been a winner, Curry native Paul Durcan is familiar with this situation.
But the Prison Officer’s Gaelic football career, which stretches back to the 1980s, has seldom witnessed a game which ended so dramatically.
Dublin Prison Officers (DPO), whom Durcan captained, won last Saturday’s All-Ireland Inter-firms SFC final with an injury-time goal from their centre-back, Pat Forde. “It was an exciting finish, especially for our supporters,” said the DPO captain.
“You would have to feel sorry for Aclare Plastics. They came back very well in the second-half after we went seven points up. We stole it at the death but to get the ultimate goal and win by a point was brilliant.”
Durcan and his team-mates, last champions of Ireland in 2001, have encountered impossible scenarios in previous campaigns.
Therefore, when Shane Dunne’s goal put Aclare Plastics & Local Industry two points clear (2-9 to 2-7) with four minutes left, the DPO refused to fluster. “There is great spirit in this team. In fairness to the lads, they took it right to the end and held their heads to get the score.”
“Even when they [Aclare Plastics & Local Industry] scored, I knew there was enough time left. There were only two points in it and I knew that if we got two scores we would be there or thereabouts.”
Durcan was ‘Man of the Match’ when DPO won the All-Ireland Inter-firms title two years ago in Markievicz Park (they defeated another Sligo amalgamation, Abbott & Suppliers).
He was very industrious in last weekend’s decider, hosted by Na Fianna’s facilities at Mobhi Road (Glasnevin).
Despite a typically bustling display, Durcan – who now plies his club football with Na Fianna – felt he could have played much better.
“I was disappointed really. I don’t think I done myself justice but the lads lifted their game when it was needed.”
Faced by several south Sligo players, against whom he played during his loyal days with Curry, Durcan came through successfully.
“I suppose it was strange coming up against lads from home. But it was no different from the Sligo Club Senior Championship when I was playing against these guys all the time.”
Now in his 30s, the respected midfield toiler smiled when reminded of his achievements in the Inter-firms competition. “This is my second All-Ireland medal in three years so I can’t help but to be pleased with that.”

Costly goals
NEIL Egan knows all about the good and bad days that sport can bring. Last Saturday, however, was one of the ugly days when the south Sligo side lost an All-Ireland final – by one point.
The Aclare Plastics & Local Industry manager believes that his side paid a hefty price for conceding a brace of first-half goals.
“We gave them two goals in the first-half, they didn’t score them. Luck didn’t go with us in the first-half either when we hit the post a couple of times.”
“As the game went into injury-time we had the game won if we held possession. In fairness to the Dublin Prison Officers, they are a good, tough team and they kept coming at us. We are very disappointed about it [the result].”
“It was a great, open game for the spectators. We really appreciate that so many people travelled from Aclare and the surrounding areas in south Sligo to support us.”
“Patrick Harte was very good in midfield. All the lads tried hard. Morgan McCormack [Aclare Plastics & Local Industry midfielder] was suffering from a touch of bronchitis so he struggled a bit.”
“We battled hard but we conceded those first-half goals which probably cost us in the end.”