Early Gaffney goal paves the way for An Tochar

and several assists to boot. An Tochar were playing with a sweeper from the off, bringing back number 15 Peter Byrne to play in front of his full back line. Aughrim elected to replicate this approach with the free corner back playing a similar sweeping game. Despite having a spare man in the full back line, Aughrim could do little to prevent the opposition finding the net in the early stages of the first half.

Joe Gaffney and Conor Davis linked up well to find Liam Gaffney close to goal. Gaffney’s initial effort was saved by Cillian Donegan but the rebound fell kindly for the wing forward and the ball was quickly fired into the net from close range.

This was a severe blow to Aughrim’s hopes but it was dwarfed in comparison to the next big incident in the game. After Aughrim goalkeeper Cillian Donegan pulled off a superb save to stop an effort from goal by An Tochar, Aughrim surged forward on the counter attack. The initial ball in was broken down by An Tochar full back Conor Short and in the aftermath of his intervention full forward Peter Quigley took exception to this off the ball, earning himself a red card for his troubles. This put Aughrim on the back foot for the remainder of the half. However, after going a man down the away side matched their opponents for the remainder of the half to leave the score 1-06 to 0-06 at the break.

A Conor Davis point extended his sides lead early in the second half but Aughrim responded with a purple patch of their own. The away side were performing admirably under the An Tochar kickouts to keep them penned back in their own half and Michael Brennan was key to this, showcasing his aerial prowess on multiple occasions.

However, Aughrim were unable to take advantage of their period of dominance. This was in part due to poor shot selection against a firm breeze but also because of An Tochar’s well organised defence. The home side crowded the scoring area with bodies and this proved to be enough to keep Aughrim at bay. An Tochar pulled away in the final quarter, with Wolohan’s pace on the break in particular an effective weapon. Gerry Byrne also impressed in the closing stages with some surging runs forward but it was Conor Davis proved to be the match-winner in the second half. All five of his points came after half-time and this proved to be enough to keep Aughrim at bay.

An Tochar: Peter O Toole, Stephen Connor(0-01), Conor Short, Joe McLaughlin, Joe Gaffney(0-01), Brendan Swords, Brendan Kennedy(0-01), William Halligan, Jamie Salley, Eamonn Wolohan(0-03), Gerard Byrne(0-01), Liam Gaffney, Graham Sutton(0-01), Conor Davis(0-05), Peter Byrne. Subs: Jack Mockler.

Aughrim: Cillian Donegan, Paul Lacey, Eoin Forsyth, Niall Byrne, John Byrne, Oisin Doyle, Daniel Owens, Robert Lambert(0-03), Conor Lambert(0-02), Frank Byrne, Conor Phelan, Shane McGuckian, Patrick Kavanagh(0-02), Peter Quigley(0-01), Richard Keegan(0-01). Subs: Michael Brennan, Rory O’ Brien, Diarmuid Whelan.