Horeswood firepower leaves Island chasing shadows
HORESWOOD REGISTERED 14 more scores as they convincingly beat Our Lady’s Island to claim the All-County Football League Division 6 title in Grantstown on Sunday.
The losers simply did not have the firepower required to keep up with their opponents, who were largely out of sight by the half-time whistle.
After a slow start by both sides, Horeswood led by just 1-1 to 1-0 at the quarter hour mark. Their lead came courtesy of Eric Banville’s penalty, which he finished on his second attempt after his initial effort rebounded off the crossbar.
From then Horeswood kicked on and ensured the gap between the sides became a comfortable one.
Banville kicked over three straight points before captain John Bradley fired under the body of Our Lady’s Island ‘keeper Joshua Burke for Horeswood’s second goal.
Three more Horeswood points, all by Colin Nolan, were then cancelled out by an Our Lady’s Island goal late in the half. Fintan Mullins’ handpass over-the-bar attempt fell short but was batted into the net by Horeswood ‘keeper Brendan Howlin.
Emerging from the dressing-room for the second-half with a six point lead (2-7 to 2-1), Horeswood quickly got to work with putting the game to bed once and for all.
Banville claimed two more points and Eoin Murphy got his only score before Eddie Breen finished into the roof of the net for their third goal.
The Island did answer back with a goal five minutes later, through Quinn Saun- ders’ low shot, but by then Horeswood had clocked up another three points. Eddie Breen, Conor Breen and Liam Shiely were all on target to ensure their side had a ten-point lead with ten minutes to go (3-12 to 3-2).
By this point Our Lady’s Island’s scoring was finished, and Horeswood were free to add a few more points to add some gloss to the final scoreline.
Eric Banville was as heavily involved as ever. He scored twice and set up James Keating for his only score. That just left Nolan to add his fourth point from midfield and ensure a 14-point victory for the men from Campile.
Horeswood: Brendan Howlin; Paddy Roche, Eamonn O’Sullivan, Brendan Hart; James Keating (0-1), Gavin Murphy (0-1), David Murphy; Eoin Murphy (0-1), John Bradley (capt., 1-0); Colin Nolan (0-4, 1 ‘45), Eddie Breen (1-0), Liam Shiely (0-1); Eric Banville (1-7, 0-1 free), Dylan Whitty, Conor Breen (0-1 free). Subs. - Paddy McMahon for Roche (47), Aaron Gregg for Breen (49), James Furlong for Shiely (58), also Aaron Mythen, Brian Kehoe, Dale Flynn, Colm Kehoe, Leigh O’Brien, Craig Collier, Cian Gleeson, Jim Gleeson.
Our Lady’s Island: Joshua Burke (capt.); Brian Moore, Eoin Kinsella, James Vaughan; Robert Cloney, Davy Corish, Rory Reville; Fintan Mullins, Nicky Keane (1-1); Quinn Saunders (1-0), Joey Murphy, Darragh Sinnott; David Pettit, Dylan Murphy (0-1 free), Eoin Wright. Subs. - Dylan Connick for Vaughan (38), Nicky White for Cloney (48), Shane Kehoe for Wright (49).
Referee: Jack Stafford (Clongeen).