Vols put pre-game disruption behind them to forge clearcut victory
VOLUNTEERS KILANERIN
VOLUNTEERS RARELY found top gear in what proved to be a routine win over Kilanerin in the Joyces Expert Intermediate ‘A’ football champrionship in Monamolin on Saturday.
The Wexford town team’s defensive qualities undoubtedly won them the game and ensured a third place finish in the Group B table. In a game which was heavily delayed due to a car accident, the tempo and intensity of the encounter seemed to suffer greatly as a result.
Kilanerin got the scoring under way through Danny Boland moments before the game was interrupted to allow the Vols to change into their jerseys. The town side had begun the game wearing a variety of different ensembles, as their kitman was one of the delayed parties.
Clearly invigorated by donning the famous green jersey, the Volunteers raised the game’s only green flag almost immediately after the re-start. Danny O’Sullivan’s long ball was caught by Keith Kearney, who steadied himself before finishing low into the bottom right corner.
Kilanerin never regained the lead after the goal and only scored twice more in the first-half, both points courtesy of wing-back Stephen Hughes.
The Vols built on their solid defending and took control. Kearney added a brace of minors and singles were also recorded by Brian Sheridan, Eoin O’Shea and Jason Kearns to give their side a 1-5 to 0-3 lead at the break.
The second-half was even quieter in terms of scoring action as the St. John’s defence became even harder to break down.
Emmet O’Toole scored all of his side’s three points in the second-half, the only Kilanerin player to find weaknesses in the Vols rearguard.
Alas, three minors was never going to be enough. Jack O’Leary, Cian Brennan, Luke Dowdall and O’Shea were all on target as the Vols closed out a six-point victory.
Both teams will advance to the championship quarter-finals after Shamrocks were narrowly beaten by St. Patrick’s, with the place of the Gorey District crew ensured on score difference.
Volunteers: John Cody (capt.); Anthony Walsh, Paudge Brennan, Brian Delaney; Mick Murphy, Keith Furlong, Brian Sheridan (0-1); Stephen Burke, Danny O’Sullivan; Jason Kearns (0-1), Ciarán Hillery, Cian Brennan (0-1); Aaron McGuire, Eoin O’Shea (0-2, 1 free), Keith Kearney (1-2). Subs. - Jack O’Leary (0-1) for O’Sullivan (18), Luke Dowdall (0-1) for Walsh (33), Aidan Roche for Hillery (51), Cian Rossiter for McGuire (57).
Kilanerin: Eoin Lucey (capt.); Damien Tobin, Eddie Hughes, Lorcan Clare; Paddy Carton, Cillian O’Toole, Stephen Hughes (0-2); Jim Hughes, Danny Boland (0-1); Damien Whelan, Wayne Farrell, Danny Howard; Emmet O’Toole (0-3 frees), Lee Owley, Willie Murphy. Subs. - Donnacha McDonald for Howard (31), Enda O’Leary for Murphy (47).
Referee: Mick Lanigan (Shelmaliers).