Vols claim victory despite dismissal
DESPITE PLAYING the entire second period with 14 players, Volunteers still proved too strong for St. Martin’s in this Joyces Expert Intermediate ‘A’ football championship Group B game in Tagoat on Saturday.
Five minutes before the break the Vols full-back, Keith Furlong, received a straight red card from referee Billy Dodd following an off-the-ball incident.
The town side, already qualified for the quarter-finals, made light of their numerical disadvantage as they maintained control through the second-half despite playing into the breeze.
The Vols played neat attacking football leading to some well-executed scores, with David Shannon and Danny O’Sullivan being particularly effective through the centre of the attack.
This was in contrast to their opponents, who were unable to bring their game together to seriously trouble their rivals.
St. Martin’s needed a win and other results going their way, but in the end they bowed out of the title race.
After St. Martin’s had opened with points from Jack Roche and Ciarán Redmond (free), the Vols gained control as David Shannon found the net on five minutes, and when Dylan Carty also goaled one minute later, they led by 2-0 to 0-2.
The town side still led by 2-5 to 0-5 when Shane Bates, on as a blood sub, beat ‘keeper Kevin Price to a high ball to find the net, increasing his side’s advantage.
However, St. Martin’s hauled themselves right back into contention with goals approaching the break from Diarmuid Barry and Leo Burke, leaving the eventual winners ahead by 3-5 to 2-6 at the interval.
Within one minute of the restart, Vols attacker Aaron McGuire struck the underside of the bar, but they still managed to lead by 3-8 to 2-7 entering the closing ten minutes.
With St. Martin’s struggling for scores, the Vols closed out the game with points from Stephen Burke and Dylan Carty.
Volunteers: John Coady; Brian Delaney (0-1), Keith Furlong, Jason Kearns; Geoff Scally, Brian Sheehan (0-1), Cian Brennan; Stephen Burke (0-1), David Shannon (1-4, 0-1 free); Dylan Carty (1-2), Danny O’Sullivan, Peter Walsh (0-1); Aaron McGuire (0-1), Mikey Lawlor, Mikey Banville. Sub. - Shane Bates (1-1) for Lawlor.
St. Martin’s: Kevin Price; Jack Whelan, Sam Audsley, Adam McLoughlin; Donal Kelly, Johnny Hamilton, Leo Burke (1-0); Philip McDermott, Darren Jordan (0-1 free); Ben Stafford, Richard Devereux (0-2), Jack Roche (0-1); Liam O Lionáin, Ciarán Redmond (0-4, 0-3 frees), Diarmuid Barry (1-1). Subs. - Rory Cullen for Burke, Paddy Gallagher for Devereux.
Referee: Billy Dodd (Sarsfields).