Joy for Jimmies!
One-point win seals knockout spot
ST. JAMES’ got the win that they needed after overcoming holders Starlights by one point in a low-scoring game in Group B of the Tom Doyle Supplies Senior football championship in Bree on Friday.
Deadlocked at the break, they won the second-half by two points to one to ensure that they beat a Starlights side which rested several of their regular starters.
As the scoreline suggests, defences were firmly on top in this game with both sides putting large numbers behind the ball and looking to break at pace.
The Enniscorthy men made the brighter start and, after going behind to an early Brian Molloy point, they hit four on the trot.
Liam Ryan opened the Starlights account before Alan Tobin added three points including a ‘45 after St. James’ goalkeeper John Ryan had done well to save a goalbound James Carty shot. After ten minutes Starlights were ahead by 0-4 to 0-1.
The weather was doing little to help the quality of the game, with the wet conditions leading to a number of missed passes and turnovers.
The first-half saw the Starlights dominate possession but they were unable to get enough players into scoring positions.
St. James’ reduced the deficit through a Shane Murphy point and a key period arrived when they hit three points in three minutes between the 19th and 21st minutes through Murphy and two from Tommy Walsh.
As the referee blew the half-time whistle, the game was tied at five points apiece.
If the first-half was a bit underwhelming, then the second period was far worse. Both teams’ defensive structures completely cancelled each other out and the game was played exclusively in the middle third.
A Tommy Walsh free early in the second-half put St. James’ ahead before Starlights corner-back Rory O’Connor got their only score of that spel; with a fine effort six minutes later.
It would take a full 20 minutes before St. James’ got the winner with two minutes to play, when Brian Molloy fired over.
Both teams put in a tremendous effort, with St. James’ claiming a much-needed win to qualify for the knockout stages while the losers were already through.
St. James’: John Ryan; Paul Barron, Jason Barron, Greg Doyle; Darragh Lyons, Robbie Barron, David Doyle; Matthew O’Hanlon, Brendan Doyle; Brian Molloy (0-2), Shane Murphy (0-2), Daniel Keating; Tommy Walsh (0-3, 2 frees), Graeme Molloy, Donal Barron. Subs. - Liam Murphy for B. Doyle (47), Alan Walsh for T. Walsh (50), Emmet Dunning for Keating (52).
Starlights: Pa Doyle; Rory O’Connor (0-1), Tom Wall, Mel Doyle; James Carty, Anthony Russell, Kevin Foley; Liam Ryan (0-1), Jack Kelly; Alan Tobin (0-4, 2 frees, 1 ‘45), Tomás Mahon, Dillon Redmond; Darragh Pepper, Tommy Foley, Anthony Roche. Subs. - Nick Doyle for Pepper (HT), Aaron Dobbs for Roche (44), Eamonn Furlong for T. Foley (51), Conor Farrell for Wall (52), Ryan Mahon for M. Doyle (60).
Referee: John Carton (Monageer-Boolavogue).