Éire Óg clinch victory after battle with Carnew
U15 C PLATE AND U13 A HURLING FINALS
ÉIRE ÓG CARNEW EMMETS
THE final of the Division 1A under-13 hurling championship was contested between Éire Óg and Carnew Emmets at Ballinakill on Sunday morning last.
The underfoot playing conditions were surprisingly good considering the absolute deluge of rain that had fallen on the previous Saturday afternoon. Two well prepared, competitive teams provided an excellent contest for the sizable crowd of family and supporters who came along to support their teams.
Éire Óg had a physical advantage in many parts of the field but the Emmets stuck to their task and ‘fought like devils’ to quote one of their mentors.
The Greystones men got into their stride straight from the throwin and dominated the opening minutes. However, despite this early dominance Éire Óg failed to put scores on the board and were wide on a few occasions.
William Kenny and Cillian O’Keeffe gradually began to play Carnew Emmets into the game and Ryan Austin opened the scoring with a point from play after four minutes. Austin was one of the stronger Carnew players and began to provide problems for the Éire Óg defence whenever he got on the ball. He powered his way through after five minutes and netted a fine goal to leave the Emmets ahead by 1-1 to nil at this stage.
The Greystones lads came back strongly and opened their account with an Oscar Lane point after ten minutes. The seasiders went through a period of outfield dominance making their size count in the middle third of the field. However, Callum Walsh was keeping a good goal for the Carnew lads and in front of him Jack Gregan, Dylan Kenny and Ken Cullen were sticking very tightly to their men.
Éire Óg were finding it very difficult to get in clean shots and were being kept out with some excellent hooking, blocking and tight marking. In addition, they missed a few good chances close to goal and insisted on picking the ball close to goal when ground strokes might have paid better dividends.
Joshua Barry got their second point on the quarter hour from a free. When Seamus Dora got a chance two minutes later, he made no mistake and goaled to put Éire Óg 1-2 to 1-1ahead at that stage.
Despite an abundance of possession for the Greystones side, the Carnew defenders continued to keep their forwards in a vice like grip.
Éire Óg’s only other score a great point from a free scored by Tomas O’Connell just before the half-time break. William Kenny got the Emmets off to a great start when he landed a great 65 to close the gap to the bare minimum in the opening minute of the second half.
However, the Éire Óg response was quick and clinical. Half-time substitution Ryan Ovenden was put clear in front of goal almost straight from the puck out and this time there was no miss as the shot went past Calum Walsh to put Greystones four ahead.
But Carnew had no intention of giving up the battle. They were landing in long ball from William Kenny and Cillian O’Keeffe on the Éire Óg defence. Some shots carried too far and went wide, others were cleared by a vigilant backline, but another chance opened up for substitute Jack Kennedy who first timed a ground shot to the net after five minutes.
Three minutes later William Kenny pointed a free to level the scores. Excitement was mounting as both sets of supporters willed their teams on.
Éire Óg were once again on top around the middle third with Thomas O’Connell putting in a great stint. But the Carnew defence was proving the truth of the old saying ‘it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the fight in the dog that’s most important’ as they kept the Greystones lads scoreless for a 12-minute period up to 20 minutes.
Paddy Marrinan entered the fray then and almost immediately had the ball in the Carnew net. Jack Coffey quickly added a point and the four-point gap was back.
But wait, when Jack Kennedy got on the end of another long delivery to claim his second goal five minutes from time, the game was back in the melting pot.
However, Marrinan scored the insurance point one minute into time added and Éire Óg ran out deserving winners. They were pushed all the way by a gutsy Carnew Emmets who fought to the end.
Pat Dunne, Bord na nÓg Cathaoirleach made the presentation to Éire Óg joint captains Jack Caffrey and James O’Dowd while the Wicklow People ‘Man of the Match’ award was presented to Tomas O’Connell.
Scorers - Éire Óg: Paddy Marrinan 1-1, Seamus Darcy 1-0, Ryan Ovenden 1-0, Oscar Lane, Joshua Barry, Jack Caffrey and Tomás O’Connell 0-1 each.
Carnew Emmets: Jack Kennedy 2-0, Ryan Austin1-1, William Kenny 0-2.