Goals give Oylegate edge

with goalkeeper Eddie Mernagh included in a keep-ball exercise which suggested little attacking ambition.

However, they showed their claws on the quarter hour when Fergie Heffernan was perfectly placed to find the net behind Thomas O’Brien as he converted a cross from the right into a well-taken goal.

The pattern for the night’s entertainment had been set, with the Shamrocks consistently busier than their laid-back rivals, only to be stung on the break.

The eventual winners were 2-1 to 0-4 up at the break after Jamie Reck profited from O’Brien’s failure to cope with Heffernan’s delivery into the danger area.

Solid free-taking by Colin Sheehan brought the men in the hoops to within a point, only for Shane Reck to claim goal number three with glee from a Seamus Casey pass on 38 minutes.

Once more, the Shamrocks hauled themselves to within touching distance as the ever energetic Robert O’Connor knocked over a lovely point on the run on 45 minutes.

This time it was Casey’s turn to hammer home a goal in response, making the most of breaking ball on 47 minutes.

The town team showed that they too had a nose for goal when substitute Kyle Foley pounced as ’keeper Eddie Mernagh misjudged a bouncing ball shortly afterwards.

They even went ahead briefly when free-taker Sheehan slotted over his sixth point, only for the long-time leaders to respond with the equalising score from centre-back Damien Reck.

And the last word was left to Jamie Reck who struck an excellent match-winner over the bar from far out on the right flank.