Doyle makes big impact

BLACKWATER 3-9 D’TOWN-C’CUDDY 1-9

TWO GOALS in a reassuring second-half display gave Blackwater the edge as they saw off a game Davidstown-Courtnacuddy side in this closely-contested Enniscorthy Farms Systems Junior football championship Group B tie in Bree on Sunday.

With both teams in search of a first win, there was a real championship bite throughout this encounter, with the seasiders eventually having more strength in depth as they had the numbers to call on when needed.

Indeed, the half-time substitution of Darragh Doyle proved to be an invaluable introduction as the big full-forward hit 1-2 and was influential in a number of important plays.

The eventual winners did always look the stronger side, but they were pushed all the way by a Davidstown-Courtnacuddy crew who were eager to make up for a heavy first round defeat, but they still just lacked that little bit to threaten their opponents substantially.

The opening exchanges were evenly contested, with Conor Sutton, Dean Wright and Richard Blake putting Blackwater two in front midway through the half, after Walter Furlong and Donal O’Shea opened the account for Davidstown-Courtnacuddy.

The Enniscorthy District side were holding their wind-assisted counterparts at bay thanks to some dogged defending and the tactic of deploying David Dunne in a sweeping role, but the Blackwater men eventually made inroads with points from Kevin O’Brien and Conor Sutton.

And they were given a great advantage when Michael Lillis fisted a high delivery from Tomás Murphy to the net minutes before the break.

But it was shortlived as Seán Cooper got on the end of a fine delivery from James Kelly to find the net from close range.

With only three between the sides and Davidstown-Courtnacuddy now with the wind at their backs, it was impossible to tell how the game might pan out, and especially when James Kelly reduced the gap with a point a minute after the re-start.

However, Blackwater had an ace up their sleeve in Darragh Doyle who found the net after receiving an excellent Richard Blake pass.

And the same player was nearly through for another two minutes later but the intended pass was just slightly over-hit and rolled harmlessly wide.

Their opponents responded well and struck three without reply thanks to David Dunne and James Kelly, leaving only two between the sides midway through the half, but from here on in, the eventual winners began to pull away.

Doyle hit a point before setting Declan O’Leary up with another, and the former exchanged scores with James Kelly before Tomás Murphy found the net which was the final nail in the coffin for Davidstown-Courtnacuddy.

Blackwater: Ger Lynch; Ian Curran, Aaron Culleton, Féidhlim Roche; Robert McGuinness, Paul O’Leary, Diarmuid Muprhy; Dean Wright (01), Kevin O’Brien (0-1); Michael Lillis (1-0), Richard Blake (0-1), Conor Sutton (0-3); Ben Redmond, Tomás Murphy (1-0), Declan O’Leary (0-1). Subs. - Darragh Doyle (1-2) for Lillis (HT), Denis Carroll for Wright (38), Patrick O’Connor for McGuinness (42), Lar Leacy for Redmond (53).

Davidstown-Courtnacuddy: Seán Howlin; James Doyle, Darragh Cooper, Eoin Keane; Donal O’Shea (0-1), Walter Furlong (0-1), Kevin Keane; Luke Harrington, Danny Delaney; Alan Hickey, James Kelly (0-6 frees), Seán Cooper (1-0); Kieron McCabe, David Dunne (0-1), Charlie Dunne. Subs. - Dylan Martin for K. Keane (HT), Andrew Redmond for Furlong, inj. (51).

Referee: Stephen Burke (Volunteers).