Vincent’s fall short in double attempt
4-3 1-11
THE concession of four goals in the opening half proved costly for newly-crowned Junior B champions St Vincent’s in this A League Division 4 Final at Syddan on Sunday.
Seeking a league and championship double, the Ardcath men endured a nightmare opening 30 minutes as their defence was caught out time and time again.
They responded strongly in the second half and only conceded a single point, but there was still the minimum between the sides at the final whistle.
Kilmainhamwood had the ball in the St Vincent’s net within two minutes of the throw-in, with Paddy Carolan applying the finishing touch to Michael Shankey’s centre.
Richie O’Sullivan, from a free, opened St Vincent’s account before the ‘Wood struck for a second goal. It was Carolan again who got in behind the defence to score, making the most of a delivery from Harry Corbally.
O’Sullivan pointed two further frees for St Vincent’s and it was 2-1 to 0-3 after 22 minutes. The goal rush was far from over, though, and David Russell met a centre from Carolan and slid the ball to the net on 24 minutes for goal number three.
Stephen Kiernan shot his second point of the afternoon before Kilmainhamwood finished the half as they had started, with a goal. Again it was Russell who struck, this time following up with a ground shot after an earlier effort from Paudi Owens was blocked by keeper Cathal Tallon.
St Vincent’s had wind advantage in the second half and made the most of it as they closed the gap gradually. They hit six points in the 10 minutes after half time.
David Russell accounted for Kilmainhamwood’s only second-half point on 44 minutes and that proved to be the match-winner. Russell got his hand to a centre from Paddy Carolan to flick the ball over the bar.
St Vincent’s continued to press and were rewarded with a goal from impressive wing back Shane O’Brien. They eventually got the lead down to the minimum, but despite almost four minutes of added time they were unable to snatch an equaliser and take the game to extra time.