MFL – Div 4
Two evenly matched sides played out an exciting draw on a pitch at the edge of the known world on Wednesday evening. While Cuala got off to a great start with a well taken goal from man of the match Seán Moran, a strong Ravens attack put over four unanswered points to take the lead. Brian O’Ruairc – who surprisingly and unusually stayed close to goal for the duration of the match – pulled off some great saves while the full back line of Olan Coyle, Shane Kearns and Colin Brock resisted strong pressure from the opposition. Superb mid-field play from Eoin Collopy and Luke Treacy linking well with Fiachra Ó Brolchain opened up opportunities for the forwards and points from Paul James and Andrew Brady put Cuala back in front before a late Ravens point saw the first half end even at 0-5 to 1-2. An early second half point from Ravens stirred Cuala into action with five unanswered points from Oisín Misteil (2), Seán Moran, Conor Bennett and Barry Sheanon giving Cuala a deserved four point advantage mid-way through the second half. Outstanding defensive play from Tadgh Blake, Donal Ennis and Colman McKenna in the second half should have been the platform for Cuala to stretch their lead with Stephen Giblin providing extra strength in the attack. Unfortunately bad breaks of the ball and six points and a goal without reply put Ravens into a five point leade with five minutes to go. Andrew Brady scored a brilliant point to leave Cuala trailing by four points with one minute of normal time remaining. Cometh the hour cometh the man of the match: a goal from Seán Moran followed by a pressure point from a free deep into injury time gave Cuala a more than deserved share of the spoils.
Fingal Ravens 1:12; Cuala B 2:09
