Disappointing start to campaign for Grenagh

Glanmire 2-11 Grenagh 0-12

GLANMIRE bagged their first win of the IFC campaign seeing off Grenagh in a well contested Round 1 fixture in Blarney last weekend.

This one had a good test written all over it and despite Glanmire taking the spoils by five points this one really was decided in a two-minute spell where the victors bagged the game’s only two majors.

Six points from DD Dorgan kept Grenagh in the hunt for longer than was likely with Kevin O’Neill also doing well with a pair of strikes.

First up on the goal front came a tasty finish from Daniel Molden on thirteen minutes, which was followed less than 120 seconds later by the game’s second goal from Shane O’Driscoll. Right from the off the advantage was with Glanmire as they had the aid of a strong breeze to their backs.

The victors looked good with the wind in their sails however a very credible opening few minutes from Grenagh meant that Glanmire trailed until they managed to raise green flags.

A brace of early points from Grenagh’s O’Neill and Dorgan saw the men in yellow settle to the task. Molden split the posts with a point before the same player goaled to turn the game on its head. A point from Cathal Shine pushed Glanmire nine clear which was extended to 12 by the turn. (2-9 to 0-3).

Few would have given Grenagh a chance as the teams headed back out for the second period however with the wind to their backs and nothing to lose in their minds the Mid-Cork side set about the task of reeling in their opponents.

Without goals, Grenagh were never likely to drag this one from the fire and unfortunately for Tom Kenny’s side they just couldn’t get the three-pointer required. Grenagh were able to bring the game back to just five scores, outscoring the winners by 0-9 to 0-2 as the game headed to what was the obvious conclusion from a long way out.

Grenagh will look to take the positives from what was a very impressive fightback but a difficult first 30 against the wind along with some sloppy defending will need to be addressed if they want to secure a win at the second time of asking.

For Glanmire, this very credible display will see them into the next round tagged as ones to watch however they will need to put sides away when they have the upper hand, otherwise the next time a side rallies against them they may well get caught.

GLANMIRE: M Hopkins; A O’Mahony, S Crowe, J O’Keeffe; J Kelleher, B Murphy, B Kelleher; C Shine 0-1, T Leahy; W Jones, J Murphy 0-2 (1f), E Murphy; K Kenneally 0-1, D Molden 1-4, S O’Driscoll 1-3

GRENAGH: R Dorgan; A Kiely, L Walsh 0-2, S Lehane; K O’Neill 0-2 (0-1.45), P McCarthy, M O’Riordan; T Kenny, S Bourke; C O’Sullivan, T Walsh, S Dorgan; P Barry-Murphy 0-1f, K Cummins, DD Dorgan 0-6 (2f)

REFEREE: MJ O’Keeffe (Dromtarriffe)