Enniskerry secure final spot against Rathnew
Enniskerry beat Hollywood to reach Junior ‘B’ decider
A blistering start by Enniskerry gave them a lead that they clung on to all the way to the finish in this Junior B football championship semi-final against Hollywood.
Two goals and a point from Gavin Martin inside the first 10 minutes ultimately proved the difference between the sides in what was an entertaining encounter in Ashford.
Enniskerry started strongly with a well-executed point on the run by wing forward Colm Nolan. Hollywood were making early errors and been turned over far too easily for their mentors’ liking. On five minutes a booming long range free from Enniskerry’s Rhys Cope dropped into the Hollywood goalmouth, and, amongst the throng of bodies, centre-forward Martin managed to palm a loose ball to the net.
Two minutes later a misjudged bouncing ball by the Hollywood defence saw Martin in on Colin Tutty’s goal again and he calmly rounded the keeper and slid the ball into the empty net. Enniskerry were in dreamland, and when Martin once more got in behind the defense, he settled for a point when the possibility of a goal may have been on, the lead was out to eight points.
Hollywood finally got a settling score when classy centre-forward Keith Peppard pointed. Hollywood rallied well after this and through their deadly accurate free-taker James Mooney they reeled off the next three points.
Brendan Barton replied for Enniskerry before another Mooney free. Hollywood were getting on top but, once more, over elaborate play and playing one pass too many instead of taking their shots was their Achilles heel.
The west men did close to within three when after good donkey work by full-forward Brian Flynn he found Dan Burke who pointed.
Just as the clock hit half-time though came a crucial score. Enniskerry midfielder Craig Williams powered through the heart of the Hollywood defense and as full-back Gary Tutty came to meet him he offloaded to full-forward Brendan Barton whose rasping effort was superbly saved by Colin Tutty, however, Williams, following in, just had to palm to the net.
Hollywood did receive a lifeline when impressive Enniskerry corner-back James Maloney picked up a second yellow card for a dangerous sliding tackle to leave the black and amber men down to 14. Another Mooney free closed out the first half scoring and left the north Wicklow outfit with a five-point advantage.
On the resumption, Enniskerry seemed to adopt a more defensive approach and Hollywood pushed on. Peppard landed a booming effort, followed shortly after with a beautiful curling point with his right boot. Nolan got Enniskerry’s first of the second period with a fine score from distance.
Enniskerry were defending heroically but three more Mooney frees left the minimum between the sides with two minutes of normal time left. A crucial turnover by Williams saw Enniskerry swarm upfield and when Martin won a free, Alan King pointed to give them that two-point cushion.
Enniskerry crowded their defense to prevent a winning Hollywood goal. John Mooney managed to land an audacious point from 50 yards to cut the gap again. Hollywood tried hard to get the equaliser but Enniskerry hassled, blocked and tackled as if their lives depended on it. They finally got possession and killed time until referee Eddie Leonard blew the long last whistle.
The slow start hurt Hollywood’s chances, however, even at that they still could have triumphed but for their own mistakes and Enniskerry’s tenacity.
Kevin Cullen, their corner-back, was most impressive as was Peppard at centre-forward. Thomas Kelly had a fine game at wing back but maybe lacked just a little bit of confidence in the final third to shoot himself.
Enniskerry displayed a great hunger and desire for victory. Williams in the middle of the park and Gavin Martin with his early goals were impressive. However, my man of the match was Brendan Fitzgerald at full-back. He had a calmness, discipline and bravery as Hollywood laid siege in the second period.
Scorers - Enniskerry: Gavin Martin 2-1, Craig Williams 1-0, Colm Nolan 0-2, Brendan Barton 0-1, Alan King 0-1 (1f)
Hollywood: James Mooney 0-8 (8f), Keith Peppard 0-3, Dan Burke 0-1, John Mooney 0-1.
Enniskerry: Ian Kirwan; James Maloney, Brendan Fitzgerald, Mark Mullen; Jack Conroy, Dan Kelly, Stephen Cahill; Craig Williams, Owen Corrigan; Alan King, Gavin Martin, Colm Nolan; Alan Acres, Brendan Barton, Rhys Cope. Subs: Luke Dalton for A Acres, Eoin Byrne for R Cope.
Hollywood: Colin Tutty; Kevin Cullen, Gary Tutty, Conor Callanan; Thomas Kelly, John Mooney, Adam Coyne; Nathan O’Sullivan, Andrew Corrigan; Dan Burke, Keith Peppard, Ciaran Corrigan; James Mooney, Brian Flynn, Liam Callanan. Subs: Dan Coyne for Adam Coyne, Rob Houlihan for Gary Tutty.
Referee: Eddie Leonard