Kelleher runs riot for AGB

Redmond’s side in fine form

AGB AVONDALE 6-12 3-13

AGB corner-forward Cathal Kelleher was the star of the night as his four-goal blitz helped the Arklow side defeat rivals Avondale by eight points in this enthralling Arklow Bay Hotel Division 1A clash in Rathdrum on a rather mild Wednesday evening.

Right from the get go the Arklow full-forward line of Cathal Kelleher, Philip Healy and Darragh Fitzgerald ran the Avondale defence ragged with their impressive movement and quick interplay.

The hard-working Stephen Hurley was a vital player throughout for AGB.

Within the first 15 minutes AGB were already 10 points ahead, with Kelleher scoring two quick fire goals, both with his hands.

It could’ve been a lot worse early on for Avondale as goalkeeper David Burke impressively saved from both Andrew Maher and Peter Hempenstall, the latter’s strike being tipped onto the crossbar with the rebound being sent wide. Avondale struggled under the high ball as the AGB fielded superbly and were always first to the breaking ball.

Midway through the opening half Avondale manager Emmet O’Sullivan reshuffled his defence with the introduction of Eamonn Kearns, allowing Adam Benson Byrne to move back into full-back.

It certainly shored the defence up in terms of chances for the Arklow side, despite the Rathdrum side conceding another two goals before the interval after some really impressive build up play.

Kelleher along with Darragh Fitzgerald firing past Avondale keeper Burke. They simply could not keep up with AGB’s rapid hand-passing.

Avondale had several opportunities to tighten the margin before referee Chris Canavan blew for half time, but many wides would cost them. The score at half-time was 4-7 to 0-7.

After the break, Avondale completely changed their full forward line, bringing on brothers Conor and Sean McGraynor along with Cian O’hAnnain.

This seemed to take effect early as substitute Eugene Dunne got a goal after Mervyn Travers saved from Conor McGraynor.

It was always going to be an uphill battle to overturn the 12-point deficit but Avondale were certainly giving it a go.

But the closest Avondale got to AGB was seven points as the Arklow side matched them point for point.

Avondale had the majority of the chances in the second half but some poor finishing left them rueing these missed opportunities.

Avondale’s hand-passing play in the second half was as exciting as the away side’s in the first, but they could rarely find a way past Ciaran O’Shea, James Tyrrell and Jack Hamilton.

The game was keenly contested but referee Chris Canavan controlled the game very well and he only felt the need to brandish two yellow cards.

On 44 minutes, AGB ensured that the game was beyond reach as Cathal Kelleher completed his tally after the ball crashed off the crossbar from a long-range point chance, only for Kelleher to claim the rebound and smash the ball past Burke.

The ‘Dales’ scored two goals in the last ten minutes through Eugene Dunne’s second of the evening and Sean McGraynor but a fightback after their early collapse never looked on.

AGB substitute Sean Hurley scored just before the final whistle to rub salt in the wounds of the Rathdrum outfit.

Avondale showed many positives after the opening 15 minutes.

The performance of Conor Byrne in the second half was an impressive one.

The introductions of Eamonn Kearns and Eugene Dunne were also very effective.

Their scoring total of 3-13 would normally be enough to defeat anyone. AGB certainly deserved their win as the Avondale simply could not deal with their forwards from start to finish.

Final score: AGB 6-12, Avondale 3-13

Scorers – Avondale: Eugene Dunne 2-0; Sean McGraynor 1-1, Conor Byrne 0-4, Conor McGraynor 0-2 (1f), Oisín McGraynor 0-2 (1f), Ross Ward 0-2 (2f), Shane Byrne 0-1, Eamonn Kearns 0-1

AGB: Cathal Kelleher 4-2; Darragh Fitzgerald 1-2, Sean Hurley 1-0, Stephen Hurley 0-2 (1f), Philip Healy 0-1, Peter Hempenstall 0-1, Cormac O’Shea 0-1, Christopher O’Brien 0-1, Darragh Culleton 0-1 (f), Daire McBride: 0-1.

Avondale: David Burke; Simon Cullen, Shane O’Neill, Shane Beevor; Liam Kinsella, Saoirse Kearon, Patrick Kinsella; Barry Sheehan, Adam Benson Byrne; Ryan Cahill, Shane Byrne, Conor Byrne; Oisín McGraynor, Jack Manley, Ross Ward. Subs: Eamonn Kearns for S O’Neill (16 mins); Eugene Dunne for P Kinsella (21 mins); Conor McGraynor for J Manley; Sean McGraynor for R Ward; Cian O’hAnnain for O McGraynor (All HT); Aonghus O’Briain for L Kinsella (42 mins)

AGB: Mervyn Travers; Ciaran O’Shea, James Tyrrell, Jack Hamilton; Jack Furlong, Andrew Maher, Tiernan McBride; John P. Hurley, Christopher O’Brien; Peter Hempenstall, Cormac O’Shea, Stephen Hurley; Cathal Kelleher, Philip Healy, Darragh Fitzgerald. Subs: Karl Kirwan for J Hamilton (27 mins); Darragh Culleton for P Healy (45 mins); Sean Hurley for J Furlong (47 mins); Daire McBride for J Hurley (51 mins); Philip Gleeson for C O’Brien (59 mins).

Referee: