Point puts Réalt lads through
Seasiders overcome injury loss to draw with Hollow
HOLLOW ROVERS REALT NA MARA
A POINT was enough to ensure Réalt na Mara booked their Wexford People Under-17 football Roinn 2 championship quarter-final place in Coolree on Monday of last week.
In a thoroughly entertaining game, the Ballygarrett boys were forced to use their substitution early after the talented Farrell Doyle picked up a nasty shoulder injury, but they still battled away in the heat to secure a deserved share of the spoils.
Ironically it was their solitary replacement, Oisín O’Loughlin, who volleyed over the equalising point in the 60th minute, after Joe Woods, despite playing with an injury, had seen his initial shot blocked away.
Duffry Rovers will be happy enough with their draw too.
They are two points behind Réalt na Mara in the table with a game in hand. With point-less and struggling Craanford to come in their last game, they should also book a last eight spot in due course.
It was a real game of contrasts. Réalt na Mara were strong in midfield and were able to boss that area. However, they were very youthful in other positions and their hosts were able to take advantage of some of those battles.
Rovers didn’t enjoy as much ball in their opponents’ third of the field, but when they got possession in there every one of their six starting forwards proved they had the tools to win individual match-ups.
Five of the six attackers scored and the other, Aaron Smyth, created more than his fair share of chances throughout the 60 minutes.
Three classy Joseph Burke points got the visitors off to the perfect start.
However, Cathal Roche caught George Kenny’s searching ball into the goalmouth in the 16th minute and fired low to the net, and soon his side had built a 1-4 to 0-4 lead.
Martin O’Loughlin was a real thorn in the Hollow defence, providing much more than a usual ‘14’ might be expected to produce.
However, he also had the full-forward’s eye for goal and his first major, a close-range palm home from Aaron Hall’s recycled free-kick, helped Réalt na Mara burst into a 1-7 to 1-5 interval lead.
The advantage didn’t last long after the re-start. Ciarán Doyle’s deflected goal put the Duffry/ Marshalstown-Castledockrell double act ahead but they couldn’t push on.
Instead Réalt na Mara got on top and O’Loughlin’s stunning low major, plus a pair of Hall points, gave them a 2-9 to 2-6 advantage into the final quarter.
The visitors were in complete control at this stage but six wides in a row hurt.
Hollow eventually had their spell and took the lead in the 58th minute when Roche punched Noah Kearney’s chipped effort home from close range.
However, Oisín O’Loughlin had the final say with a late, deserved equaliser as the sides shared the spoils.
Hollow Rovers: Jack White; James Byrne, Jonathan Doyle, Ryan Quigley; Adam Somers, Michael Butler, Ryan McLoughlin; David Farrell, David Kinsella; Aaron Smyth, Noah Kearney (0-3), Dean Butler (0-2); Ciarán Doyle (1-0), George Kenny (0-3, 2 frees), Cathal Roche (capt., 2-0). Subs. - James Aylward for C. Doyle (33), also Dylan Bolger, Tadhg Dunne.
Réalt Na Mara: James Doyle; Martin McCarthy, Eoghan Murphy, Tiernan O’Loughlin; Farrell Doyle, Richard Conroy, Joe Woods; Joseph Burke (capt., 0-4), Aaron Hall (0-3, 2 frees); Eoin Canavan (0-1), Kyle Moore-Kavanagh, Michael Bolger; Jack Doyle (0-2), Martin O’Loughlin (2-0), Jack Redmond. Subs. - Oisín O’Loughlin (0-1) for F. Doyle, inj. (3).
Referee: Martin Quigley (Rathnure).