It was perhaps fitting that the final score in this encounter fell to Gazza Savage who had proven to be a constant thorn in the Spa defence throughout, finishing with a personal tally of 7 points. The move which led to the winning point also involved Ross O’Callaghan and Tommy Walsh who were both outstanding on the day.
After Spa had opened the scoring in the first couple of minutes, points from Karl Mullins, John Ferguson and Tommy Walsh from a free, had us 2 to the good. In the 9th minute a free flowing move from the half back line saw Spa find the net through Evan Cronin. John Ferguson with a good score from play and Tommy Walsh from a free kept us in the hunt and by half time we had forged 2 points clear following scores from Tommy (3), John Ferguson (2) and Gazza Savage (2).
Half time score: KOR 0-11 Spa 1-06.
The second half saw us being awarded a penalty in the 4th minute when Tommy, not for the first time, was fouled in possession and Chucky duly dispatched the ball to the back of the Spa net. This left us ahead 6 points – 1-12 to 1-06 and looking good for the 2 points.
However, Spa reduced the deficit to 3 following some good scores but we were unlucky not to goal in the 12th minute when Donagh O’Brien fired over. We were still in control, 4 points to the good, entering the 30th minute when a Spa goal from play and a point from a free had us level deep into injury time. It was then that our experience came to the fore and following good work from Tommy and Ross, Gazza slotted over a close in free giving us a 1 point win and all 2 points. The result now means that we are 2nd in the table, 4 points behind Crokes with a final spot very much in our own hands.
Scorers on the day:
Gazza Savage 0-07 ( 6fs)
Tommy Walsh 0-04 (3fs)
John Ferguson 0-04
Chucky 1-00 (pen)
Karl Mullins 0-02
Donagh O’Brien 0-01
Cormac Coffey 0-01
We next play Glenbeigh/Glencar in Round 9 on weekend of 14th/15th July 2018.