High-flying Village
Doyle shines as Rathnew get the better of Pearse Gaels
RATHNEW PEARSE GALES 4-07 0-12
TWO goals scored in the last ten minutes of the second half proved to be the tipping point between victory and defeat in this well contested Minor ‘B’ football final played under lights in Avondale on Tuesday, October 17.
At this stage Rathnew were hanging onto a two-point lead but a 14-man Gaels side was pressing hard to come back, having conceded a goal due to a defensive error after seven minutes of the second half and two minutes later losing a defender to a red card.
Rathnew got off to a good start in the first half when the impressive Eoin Doyle pointed a free from 45 metres.
Pearse Gaels full forward Conor Odlum was looking equally impressive in these early stages and he levelled matters with a point from play after three minutes.
One minute later, Rathnew raised the first of their green flags when Eoin Doyle raced through the centre and placed a great shot into the top right corner, well clear of the reach of Joe McDonald in the Pearse Gaels goal.
A great battle was developing at centre field between Ciaran Coffey (a chip off a couple of old blocks) and Kian Walsh, whose great turn of pace while in possession was difficult to match.
Eoin Doyle pointed another Rathnew free from distance after six minutes to push his side into a four-point lead.
However, the north Wicklow side came into the game strongly for the next 10 minutes and points from Kian Walsh, Cormac Doyle, Adam Heffernan and Conor Odlum had the sides level at 1-2 to 0-5. Cormac Doyle was proving difficult to mark and had a big influence up to half time.
When an Eoin Doyle free struck the post, Sean Coffey was quickest to re act and put Rathnew back ahead with a point.
Conor Odlum responded with a pointed free. Jack Healy and Eoin Doyle pushed Rathnew two points ahead again but points from an Odlum free and from Cormac Doyle left the game all square at half-time with everything still to be won.
The second period began in the same vein as the first finished. Conor Odlum pointed the Gaels into the lead in the first minute but Eoin Doyle levelled matters a minute later.
Conor Odlum restored the lead to Pearse Gaels but then came a disastrous two minute period for the north Wicklow lads. Some risky inter passing in the full-back line lead to an interception and Paul King had the ball in the net as quick as a flash.
Two minutes later, Cian Marah received a red card and the hill became a little steeper for the Gaels from here on.
To their credit they fought back and corner forward Stefan Sioneonscu brought them back to one point adrift after 14 minutes.
Once again Eoin Doyle stretched the Rathnew lead to two points – 2-7 to 0-11.
Pearse Gaels continued to battle but were inclined to rely on carrying the ball forward from defence through midfield.
James Sinnott, the pacey Kian Walsh, Adam Heffernan, Leo Hanney and Cormac Doyle were prom- inent from now on but invariably these movements were ending with the massed Rathnew defence clearing back up field.
The scoring danger of Conor Odlum was snuffed out because the ball was no longer coming direct.
Rathnew were very dangerous on the break and had the skill to make use of their extra man when the chances presented.
Paul King scored his second goal after 20 minutes following a rapid break up field.
Kian Walsh responded with a fine point off his left foot but it proved to be his side’s final point. Eoin Doyle capped off what was a man of the match performance for him when he scored his second goal with three minutes left. Final score was 4-7 to 0-12 in favour of Rathnew.
Following the game, referee Pat Hickey presented the winners trophy to Rathnew captain Paul King. The Man of the Match award was presented to Rathnew’s Eoin Doyle.
Scorers: Rathnew: Eoin Doyle 2-5, Paul King 2-0, Jack Healy 0-1 and Sean Coffee 0-1.
Pearse Gaels: Conor Odlum 0-5, Cormac Doyle 0-3, Kian Walsh 0-2, Adam 0-1 and Stephan Sioneonescu 0-1.
Paddy Reynolds; Shane Cullinane, Nathan Byrne, Cian Flynn; Fionn O’Sullivan, Tristan O’Toole, Nicky Kearney; Kyle Devlin, Ciaran Coffey; Ross Quinn, Jack Healy, Paul King; Sean Coffey, Jenson Cox, Eoin Doyle. Subs: Nigel Moorehouse, Cian Byrne, Dylan Moorehouse, Cillian Clarke and Ryes Doyle.
Joe McDonald; Evan Vines, Daniel Rooney, Cian Marah; Ruadhan Fallon Verbruggan, James Sinnott, Conor Diamond; Kian Walsh, Lee Turner; Adam Heffernan, Leo Hanney, Cormac Doyle; James Byrne, Conor Odlum, Stefan Sioneonescu. Subs: Brian Devereux. Pat Hickey (A.G.B.)