O’Donnell’s goal propels Gael

Mark O’Donnell’s late goal lifted Astoria Gaels to a 1-0 victory over Romania B on Sunday at Randalls Island.

In the first half, Nestor Allen and Derek McKenna did yeoman work up front, coming to pick up the ball and laying off to the midfielders. After 15 minutes, Allen was upended just outside the box and Kevin Nagle drove the free over the top. O’Donnell on the left was taking throw-ins that were landing deep in the box. As a result, McKenna came close, and then Mark Kelly, after a run through, shot wide.

Romania’s best chances of the half came on the half hour when Ghenog broke through after a defensive slip up, but Kyne saved to his left. Then Pat Mulrey made a great block when Hagib was on the 18-yard-line.

The second half was a period when the Gaels did everything except open the floodgate. McKenna hit the post and Nagle shot wide with a screamer. Pat Mulrey and Martin Reilly made the right wing their own, and after good work that included Allen, Reilly shot wide. Finally with eight minutes left, a run by Donal Walsh won a corner on the left. Mark O’Donnell went to take it all, the six Gaels were positioned in the box, O’Donnell bypassed everybody and bent an inswinger that found the back of the net directly.

Best for the Gaels were Pat Mulrey, Lloyd Canning in the center, Nester and Mark O’Donnell.

Line-out: Eugene Kyne, J. Harris, Lloyd Canning, Mark Bourke, Pat Mulrey, Mark Kelly, Kevin Nagle, Donal Walsh, Mark O’Donnell, Derek McKenna, Nestor Allen. Sub: Martin Reilly for Kelly.