Rampant Glanworth too good for Millstreet
Glanworth 2-15 Millstreet 1-6
GLANWORTH emerged a different class on brushing aside the challenge of Millstreet in a one-sided County Intermediate Football Championship round 2A at a rain-lashed Castlemagner last Sunday evening.
Quite simply, Glanworth controlled all aspects of the game, took their scores well and basically never allowed Millstreet into any kind of contention. Conditions were difficult with heavy rain falling and a greasy surface led to mistakes particularly in the early stages.
A closer encounter had been anticipated but over the hour, the victors applied themselves much better, possessing too much power, pace and scoring ability. Showing no ill effects from waiting 15 weeks since their opening round win over Douglas the look of quite satisfaction on the face of manager Liam Cotter told its own story.
“On the back of a lengthy lay off and with hurling involvement, last Thursday night was our only second or third get football together since the opening round. Still we were hopping off the ground, Millstreet missed a few early chances and that gave us confidence to create an impression”, he said.
At the outset, Millstreet had showed encouraging signs with Mark Ellis, Shane Hickey and Oisín Murphy getting on the ball. However in the greasy conditions, Millstreet lacked penetration on passing up on opportunities.
Steadily Glanworth’s greater energy and more potent forward unit proved the difference. Indeed Glanworth put their stamp on the game with early points to Shane O’Riordan and Michael Sheehan.
The Avondhu side established a foothold, at the back, Bart O’Keeffe, Jack Coughlan and Tom Condon stamped their authority with Robert O’Driscoll and David Pyne taking responsibility in the centre.
Indeed, Glanworth built on their impressive momentum, a great move stemming out of defence by O’Keeffe and Condon saw Brian Gallagher and Seán Finn link up for Diarmuid Colfer to goal in the 15th minute.
A lone reply from Ellis got Millstreet off the mark yet they flattered to deceive on a physically stronger and more purposeful Avondhu combination. Indeed Glanworth pushed on, Finn and Pyne splitting the uprights with the effective Michael Sheehan weighing in with a trio of white flags to allow Glanworth hold a commanding 1-7 to 0-1 advantage at the break.
Millstreet required a good start to the second half but within minutes, they had leaked further scores. Finn tacked on a point prior to Gerry O’Neill and Sheehan linking up for full forward O’Riordan have the easiest of tasks to find the net.
A follow up point to Colfer stretched Glanworth’s lead to a massive 14 points and it might well had been wider after a spell of faulty shot selection. In fairness, Millstreet didn’t exactly wilt in the dreary conditions and an improvement yielded points to Michael Vaughan, Cathal and Kevin Crowley.
Glanworth’s game had dropped a gear yet they answered with Colfer and Sheehan posting a trio of tasty points. Again Millstreet never gave up, rewarded on a consolation goal from Tadgh Collins.
Ultimately, a disappointing outcome for Millstreet yet they remain involved and a bit of soul searching will be required ahead of meeting Mitchelstown in a Round 3 engagement. GLANWORTH: C Cotter; B O’Keeffe, J Coughlan, J Blackburn; P Blackburn, T Condon, W Blackburn; R O’Driscoll, D Pyne 0-1; B Gallagher, G O’Neill, S Finn 0-2; D Colfer 1-3, S O’Riordan 1-1 (0-1 ‘45’), M Sheehan 0-7 (2f). Subs: E Sheehan 0-1 for Gallagher(42), B Sheehan for O’Neill (42), M Jackson for Finn (53), S Dunne for O’Riordan (55), S Condon for P Blackburn (58), I Murphy for Sheehan (59).
MILLSTREET: M O’Donovan; D Lenihan, P Randles, C Sheehan; D Buckley, K Crowley 0-1, S Hickey; C Crowley 0-3 (2f, 1 ‘45’), M Ellis 0-1; S Crowley, M Vaughan 0-1, T Sheehan; J Lenihan, O Murphy, T Collins 0-1. Subs. D Kiely for S Crowley (ht), J Broxton for Buckley (40, inj).
REFEREE: A Cummins (Ballymartle) FIXTURES
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
JBFL
Lismire v Cullen, Lismire 7pm
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
County IFC Replay
Ballydesmond v Glenville, Ballyclough 6.30pm Kanturk Co-Op Mart JAHC quarter-final Kilbrin v Millstreet, Dromtariffe 6.30pm
JBHL
Freemount v Meelin, Meelin 7pm
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27
E Tarrant & Sons Skoda JAFC Final
Boherbue v Knocknagree, Kanturk 2pm
County SFC
Kiskeam v Carbery, Macroom 2pm
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
County Premier IFC
Newmarket v Macroom, Millstreet 5pm