Bell sets up 1916 decider
Hollywood to face Rathnew
THE GAA grounds in Laragh is a lovely place to be on a sunny afternoon in June. However, a Saturday afternoon in December with a glistening white frost covering the pitch is a different proposition.
This was the setting for the semi-final of the 2016 commemorative football competition between Hollywood and Avondale played on Saturday, December 17.
For a while it looked as if both sides were in trouble with numbers with Hollywood lining out with 14 players and never improving on that. Avondale began with 13 but they progressed to the full compliment during the game.
In addition, both sides lined out in green jerseys. This problem was resolved by Hollywood wearing their jerseys inside out (a different colour). Not easy to identify players but staying close to Pat Dunne on the line solved that problem. Philip Bracken, the referee, was the only match official on duty – no umpires, no linesmen.
When proceedings got under way, there was no shortage of honest endeavour from both sides. Garrett Bell got the westerners off the mark with a point in the first minute.
However, the first of nine goals came in the third minute when Dean Gahan got his fist to a long ball in from the evergreen Seamus McGraynor.
Gahan added another point before he incurred the wrath of referee Bracken and was dismissed on a black card. Garrett Bell brought the sides level when he netted a penalty, awarded for a foot block. Thomas Kelly with a fisted point put Hollywood back ahead. Garrett Bell stretched the lead to four points with his second goal but the accurate Ian Heffernan ensured that Avondale had 1-4 on the board by half-time. Bell had two further points to leave Hollywood ahead at the break by 2-3 to 1-4.
We had three goals in the first half and went on to get six more in the second period. Avondale, now up to a full compliment of players, began the second half very strongly. Sean McGraynor scored 1-1 in the first two minutes. His goal came when his shot struck the goal post and rebounded to the net off the unfortunate Stephan Burke in the Hollywood goal.
Oisin McGraynor goaled again after four minutes and when Shane Beevor added a point it looked like Avondale were going to overpower the Hollywood men.
Garrett Bell with a point and Matt Kelly with another goal steadied matters for the westerners. Brian Flynn and Ian Heffernan exchanged points mid way through the half to leave Avondale ahead by the minimum at this stage.
Stephen Burke brought off a great save on 20 minutes at the expense of a 45 which was pointed by centre back Ryan Cahill with a great kick in the conditions.
Three goals came over the next three minutes. Eoin Burke and Shane Beevor exchanged
goals and Brian Flynn netted Hollywood’s fifth. Ian Heffernan pointed Avondale’s last point on 26 minutes but two further points from Garrett Bell left Hollywood ahead as full time approached.
Avondale won a free in, Ian Heffernan elected to go short and work the ball in. A 45 was conceded, Ryan Cahill’s effort dropped short and Hollywood survived to meet Rathnew in the final of the competition.
Both sides should be complimented for their efforts on a day not suitable for good football. When all players had left, the white frost still glistened on the playing surface.
Scorers – Hollywood: Garrett Bell 2-4, Brian Flynn 1-1, Matt Kelly 1-0, Eoin Burke 1-0, PJ O’Keeffe 0-1, Tom Kelly 0-1.
Avondale: Ian Heffernan 0-5, Sean McGraynor 1-1, Dean Gahan 1-1, Shane Beevor 1-1, Oisin McGraynor 1-0, Ryan Cahill 0-1
Hollywood: Stephan Burke; Rob Houlihan, Shane Kelly, PJ O’Keeffe; Robert Kelly, Seanie O’Keeffe, Ciaran Tyrell; Harry Wilson, Thomas Kelly, Eoin Burke; Matt Kelly, Kevin Cullen, Garrett Bell; Brian Flynn.
Avondale: Donal McGraynor; Stephan Langan, Shane O’Neill, Shane Beevor; Simon Cullen, Ryan Cahill, Aonghus O Broin; Seamus McGraynor, Sean McGraynor; Dean Gahan, Ian Heffernan, Oisin McGraynor; Jonathan Kearns, Brian Olohan, Johnny Gahan. Subs: Joe Kennedy for Dean Gahan (BC) Paudie Geoghegan for Jonathon Kearns. Referee: Philip Bracken.