Boothman goal decisive in free-flowing encounter

BRAY EMMETS BLESSINGTON 2-12 2-17

A STORMING second half performance saw Blessington come from behind to beat Bray Emmets in a great battle in Division 1 at Bray on Friday night.

While Eddie Boylan got the first point of the match for Blessington in the third minute it was the Bray men that set the early pace.

A point by Des Kelly and two by Paul Cunningham sent them on their way and when Marc Lennon, just up out of Minor ranks, banged home the first goal of the match in the 10th minute the Emmets were looking good.

Blessington hit back quickly; Boylan got through for a goal and when Sean Byrne and Jonathan Daniels sent over points the sides were on level terms by the end of the first quarter.

NialMcGraynor edged Bray in front again but points by Curtis Geraghty and Eoin Keogh put Blessington in the lead.

Bray Emmets finished the half strongly; Stephen McNicholas had a point to level the game again and points by Johnny Kinch and Des Kelly (2) sent Bray in leading by 1-8 to 1-5 at half time.

Early points by Eoin Keogh and Daniels appeared to signal a quick fight back on the restart but a goal by another of the up and coming young Emmets players, Adam Conway, in the fourth minute put his side four up.

The Blessington fight back continued; four points on the trot by Brian Carroll, Wayne Callaghan, Boylan, and Jonathan Daniels brought the sides level again.

While Johnny Kinch stopped the rot with a point, Boylan hit back to level the scores yet again at the three quarter stage.

Blessington finished the stronger and on an evening when the young 'bloods' were out to post a message to their elders it was teenager David Boothman that sealed the issue with a great goal.

Curtis Geraghty, Anthony McLoughlin, and the ever-green Daniels had points for Blessington with an in-form Kinch and substitute Conor Flannery closing the scoring for Bray Emmets.

Scorers - Blessington - Eddie Boylan 1-3, David Boothman 1-1, Jonathan Daniels 0-4, Curtice Geraghty 0-3, Eoin Keogh 0-2, Sean Byrne, Brian Carroll, Wayne Callaghan and Anthony McLough- lin 0-1 each.

Bray Emmets - Marc Lennon and Adam Conway 1-0 each, Jonathan Kinch 0-4, Des Kelly 0-3, Paul Cunningham 0-2, Niall McGraynor, Stephen McNicholas and Conor Flannery 0-1 each.