A promising start
Glynn-Barntown best in ACFL opener
GLYNN-BARNTOWN SHELMALIERS 1-10 0-7 LAST YEAR’S beaten Senior finalists, Glynn-Barntown, must have been pleased with their return to competitive action as they fashioned a highly-deserved six-point victory over Shelmaliers in this All-County Football League Division 1A game in Hollymount on Friday.
Given the conditions of wind and rain, this was always a victory that was going to be hard-earned, but ithe superior play of the eventual winners’ attack proved the difference in the end.
Glynn-Barntown always appeared more comfortable when moving forward, in stark contrast to their opponents who struggled to create a worthwhile goalscoring opportunity during the course of the 60 minutes.
The margin was six points in the end, which could have been greater, as the Shels finished with a couple of late Barry O’Connor pointed frees.
Still, Glynn-Barntown will be happy with their overall display and level of fitness as they controlled the game in midfield where Michael Doyle and Daniel Carroll were the dominant pair.
Eoin Doyle pointed the home side in front after five minutes but this was the only time they led in the game. Indeed, they failed to register a further score for the remainder of the half, as their opponents responded with points from Kevin Mahoney, Ríoghan Crosbie (free) Barry Doyle and a Daniel Carroll 40-metre free to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 at the interval.
As the Shels were slow starters on the resumption, Glyn-Barntown struck for two early second-half points through Daniel Carroll (free) and Barry Doyle to stretch into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead after 36 minutes.
The Shels had to wait until ten minutes into the second-half for their opening point, a fine individual effort from Glen Malone.
They went on to hit a purple patch, adding three unanswered points through Barry O’Connor (free), Malone and substitute Liam Rockett to leave the minimum separating the sides (0-6 to 0-5) at the end of the third quarter.
Managing to regain the initiative, Glynn-Barntown responded with an Aaron Kehoe point along with pointed frees from Carroll and Crosbie.
Five minutes from the end came the decisive score, a neat left-footed goal from Aaron Kehoe, followed by a Carroll long-range point, leaving them leading by 1-10 to 0-5.
While the Shels finished with two late Barry O’Connor pointed frees, the result was a foregone conclusion at this stage.
Glynn-Barntown: Matt Doyle; Stephen Lyne, Jack Fenlon, Cian Neville; Nigel Usher, Brendan Doyle, Alan Cowman; Daniel Carroll (0-4, 3 frees), Michael Doyle; Fionn Cooney, Ríoghan Crosbie (0-2 frees), Kevin Mahoney (0- 1); Barry Doyle (0-2), Matthew Joyce, Robert Dempsey. Subs. - Luke Rafter for M. Doyle, Aaron Kehoe (1-1) for Joyce, Bill Joyce for Brendan Doyle.
Shelmaliers: Graham Lawler; Cathal Gaule, Ciarán O’Shaughnessy, Andre O’Brien; Tommy Barron, Aidan Murphy, Cian Manley; Brian Murphy, James Gordon; Glen Malone (0-2), Eoin Doyle (0-1), Ronan Kavanagh; Craig Parker, Barry O’Connor (0-3 frees), Páraic O’Leary. Subs. - Graham Staples for A. Murphy, Liam Rockett (0-1) for B. Murphy, Eoghan Fitzgerald for Kavanagh, Eoin O’Leary for Barron.
Referee: James Flood (St. Mary’s, Maudlintown).