Valleymount bounce back
Enniskerry prove no match
VALLEYMOUNT ENNISKERRY 2-18 0-3
VALLEYMOUNT advanced to the quarter-finals of the Fitzgerald Kitchens Junior ‘A’ Football Championship and a tasty clash with Baltinglass after a comfortable victory over a limited Enniskerry side at Ashford last Saturday evening.
Valleymount have been knocking on the door of championship honours over the last few seasons and will be happy with getting their season back on track after a disappointing defeat to Ashford the last day out.
They came out like a team looking to right that wrong. With Jack Slattery and Robbie Miley landing the first two scores from 50 yards, veteran full-forward Steven Byrne then had three drilled points in a row to leave the lakesiders five clear after ten minutes.
The game was as good as over soon after when nippy corner-forward Brian Miley was dragged down in the large rectangle for a penalty and up stood Declan Cahill to place to keeper Ian Kirwan’s left.
Further points from Brian Miley and James Fitzpatrick followed before Valleymount’s second goal. Jamie Miley sliced in from the wing before off-loading to Slattery who picked his spot past Kirwan expertly. Cahill added another point on the half-hour mark.
Enniskerry finally worked the scoreboard operator in first-half injury time when the mercurial Gavin Barton pointed a free. Barton, who is Enniskerry’s best player, started on the bench, and his calming experience was sorely missed in the opening stages.
The second half was nothing more than a practice match for the lakesiders with further points from Byrne, Michael Richardson and
Robbie Miley extending the lead out to 16 points after 38 minutes. Craig Williams got a 50 for Enniskerry but their impotence in the final third was noticeable throughout.
Indeed, it took 45 minutes for them to score from play with Jack Conroy landing from distance.
The final 15 minutes was target practice for Valleymount with them adding the final seven points without reply.
Enniskerry will be disappointed with their championship season after winning the Junior ‘B’ last year. Through a variety of reasons, they have not had their best players on the field this year so hopefully they just mark this season off and come back stronger next season and show the talent they really have for this grade.
Valleymount on the other hand will be eyeing that elusive championship. It’s hard to judge where they are but they will be happy to put the Ashford performance behind them and are now exactly
Photos: Leigh Anderson
where they want to be. It will take a good side to beat them with the Miley clan, Byrne, the Cahills and Slattery as hardy as anyone in the championship.
Man of the match on the day was Steven Byrne who provided leadership and got the scores in the early stages that laid the foundation for a comfortable victory.