Carnew power on as Gilligan nets hat-trick
Striker hits second half hat-trick to earn Carnew win
CARNEW maintained their title push with a hard-earned victory over Roundwood at the Vartry Grounds on Sunday last.
A second half hat-trick by Cillian Gilligan proved the difference after the hosts had been given the lead by Declan Carstairs. Paddy Woods struck a late consolation for Roundwood.
A bitterly cold morning and slippy underfoot conditions saw both teams struggle to grab a foothold in the opening half.
Both defences were on top, with Kenny Greene for Roundwood and Justin House for Carnew especially catching the eye.
Chances were few and far between with both keepers being under worked. The only attempt of note saw Carnew’s classy midfielder Adam Barnes forcing the home side’s shot stopper Jamie Short to palm a shot from distance to safety.
The second half could not have been more different, with both sides attacking with renewed vigour.
Evergreen Damian Johnson started spraying balls about the pitch and from one of his pinpoint passes he freed up Woods whose effort was deflected wide.
From the resulting corner, Robin Byrne arrowed a cross into the danger zone and Carstairs soared like a salmon to thunder the hosts into the lead.
The goal seemed to kickstart Carnew, as their response was emphatic with three goals in the next 14 minutes. The first arrived in the 52nd minute from a corner, PJ O’Keeffe’s floated delivery saw the Roundwood defence lose Gilligan at the back post and his volley alluded a mass of bodies on the line.
On 55 minutes, James Behan powered a drive at Short’s goal, the stopper finger-tipped the ball onto the bar, but Gilligan, following in like any good striker, had the simple task of tapping home.
The hitman completed his hattrick in the 66th minute. O’Keeffe hoisted a ball over the Roundwood defence for Gilligan to chase. Short came from his line to clear but slipped on the surface allowing the Carnew man to roll the ball into the unguarded net.
Roundwood never let their heads drop and pushed on in search of a dramatic comeback.
Keane Murphy was sprung from the bench and he definitely provided a spark. Firstly, he freed Woods on the flank but as he cut in, he miss-hit a weak shot at Carnew keeper Paddy Adair.
On 83 minutes, Roundwood got a lifeline. From another Byrne corner the ball dropped at Woods’ feet and he clinically curled a delightful chip to the top corner of Adair’s net.
Roundwood kept pressing and a beautiful reverse pass by Murphy set Glen Hughes in on goal, however, the nippy attacker lost control at the crucial time and Adair cleared the danger. Carnew saw out the game with no more chances for the hosts.
A proverbial game of two halves with the second period much better in quality and action.
For Roundwood, Robin Byrne and Kenny Greene caught the eye. For Carnew, House was outstanding, but Gilligan had to be man of the match.
ROUNDWOOD: 1. Jamie Byrne, 2. Ross Doonan, 3. Tommy Fitzpatrick, 4. Kenny Greene, 5. Damian Johnson, 6. Kevin Lynch, 7. Robin Byrne, 8. David Kavanagh,
9. Declan Carstairs, 10. Patrick Woods, 11. Glen Hughes. Subs: 12. Keane Murphy,
13. Sean Pollock.
CARNEW AFC: 1. Paddy Adair, 2. Rob Young, 3. Dan Nolan, 4. Justin House,
5. Adam Doyle, 6. Graham Byrne, 7. PJ O’Keeffe, 8. Adam Barnes, 9. James Behan, 10. Cillian Gilligan, 11. John Kavanagh. REFEREE: Michael Kennedy.