Results – Credit Union Senior Football League 2021, Ballylongford 0-8, Asdee 0-12 , a minute’s silence was observed prior to this game as a mark of respect to the late Michael O Connor and Eddie Ant Walsh who passed away recently and who were both former Officer of the St Marys, Asdee GAA Club.
Those looking forward to a cracking contest between these two parishioners and great rivals must be disappointed as the game never reached the expectations as both teams laboured to produce a brand of football in which they are capable of.
However, it was not all doom and gloom and after the visitors to O Rahilly Park dominated the opening half they were never able to go too far ahead It was Asdee who got off to a good start led by Eoin Tydings who opened the scoring in the 5th minute and this was followed with Darren Russell and Darragh Keane, splitting the uprights before eventually Bally’s best attacker Joe McCarthy made it 3pts to 1pt in the 14th mt.
In fairness to the home team’s defence, they had James O Conner, Sean Hanrahan and substitute Paddy O Neill excelling. Paul O Carroll, (2) and Darragh Keane kicked points while Joe McCarthy nailed his second point of the game and at half time it was Asdee who led 6pts to 2pts.
The second half in fairness to both sides had upped their game and we had plenty of good hard honest football with no quarter asked or given and at last the rival supporters had something to shout about. Kieran Kelly who came on as a sub for Asdee made a huge impact on the game with his strong running through the middle.
It was nip and tuck at this stage with both defences under pressure; Paul O Carroll lifted his 3rd free of the game with Darragh Keane popping over. Substitute Michael Holly who impressed when introduced added a point. This lifted the Bally boys, and they were to have a good spell but some of their shooting left a lot to be desired as brothers Ciaran and Matt O Connor cut the deficit to a 3pt margin by the 10th minute.
Darragh Keane, Paul O Carroll for the visitors and James O Connor for Bally left it 9pts to 6pts as we approached the water break. The remaining minutes were hectic as Asdee were defending well against an eager beaver Bally attack who were rampant and failed to take a few handy pts that could very well have made the difference; but at the other end Eoin Tydings with (2) and Paul O Carroll exchanged scores with Ciaran O Connor reply.
MICHAEL O CONNOR RIP, the perfect gentleman; the nicest man you’ll ever meet was some of the attributes paid by everybody who knew him as another great part of Asdee GAA is gone with the death of Michael O Connor of Craughdarrig who a devoted football follower was and a trojan Club worker.
The fact that Michael had been unwell for some time did nothing to lessen the awful feeling of sadness and loss when it was learnt that this very popular man had passed away. The former Lenamore native who switched his allegiance to the western side of the parish during the late 70s early 80s became an active member of the reformed St. Marys, Asdee G A A Club in 1986; becoming one of Club Trustee; a position he held to date; Vice Chairman from 1986 to 1998 and Assistant Treasurer from 1986 to 2006 along with being a selector with the “B” team during the 90s.
However, it was in the lead up to the opening of the Jack Walsh Memorial Park in 1997 that he excelled when it all started at the A G M in 1987 to start the work of fulfilling the dream of Asdee having its own playing pitch and it was here that he really showed his qualities as an organiser as Chairman of the Finance Committee. From 1987 onwards a number of very successful Fundraising events took place, and, on this score, Michael led the way once more.
10 years later that dream came to pass with full facilities of; Field, Dressing Rooms Stand and Car Park were complete. Previous to this his generosity in sponsorship Club jerseys for the Senior team was very much appreciated. Michael was never a man for the limelight; stayed in the background, just did the job on hand without any fuss and got on with it. The Club as a whole are grateful for his enormous contribution which will never be forgotten.
On behalf of St. Marys, Asdee GAA Club we extend our sincere sympathy to his wife, Mary, sons, David, Vincent and Fergus and all their families.Slan agus benacht a Chara Gael agus ar dheis de go raimh a hAinm dhili.