Clarke’s goal settles derby
Glynn-Barntown claim win
IT NEEDED something extra to lift this game given the depleted nature of the sides, but the local derby tag gave it that much-needed impetus as Glynn-Barntown eventually came out on top with six points to spare over St. Martin’s in their All-County Hurling League Division 1A clash at Piercestown on Saturday.
While both sides were short key players, St. Martin’s were the more affected with a whole deluge of first team choices missing. Credit to their replacements though as they made a much stronger Glynn-Barntown outfit work for the points on offer, as it was by no means a cruise with their six-point winning margin rather flattering.
One did not expect such a competitive 60 minutes, but this is what transpired as both sides set about their respective tasks.
The tackling was ferocious at times, and the hurling competitive if less skilful, while there was some excellent scoretaking.
And the result in the balance right up to the final minutes when a late David Clarke goal in additional time sealed the points for the eventual winners.
Glynn-Barntown opened brightly, shooting into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead inside the opening seven minutes. After a Joe Coleman pointed free had opened the scoring for the home side, the eventual winners responded with four unanswered points through Matthew Joyce (two frees) Craig Doyle (’65) and Kevin Crean, before a fine Seán Stafford point brought a St. Martin’s response after they had spent a period defending.
Wing-forward Joe Coleman was proving the home side’s chief marksman, along with Harry O’Connor, Darren Codd and Ryan Murphy, while Craig Doyle and Brendan Doyle responded for the opposition to leave the sides level (0-8 each) at the interval after a hugely competitive opening 30 minutes.
The third quarter saw little separate the sides, at the end of which they were still level (0-11 each).
Two Glynn-Barntown points through Matthew Joyce (one free), followed by a 50th-minute goal from substitute J.J. Dyle, after ‘keeper Luke White had beaten out a Joyce shot, pushed them into a 1-13 to 0-11 lead.
St. Martin’s were not to be easily picked off as they responded with a goal four minutes from the end. Joe Coleman had a free saved but in the subsequent goalmouth action, substitute Callum Quirke stabbed the ball over the line to reduce the deficit to two points (1-13 to 1-11).
After Kevin Crean and Joe Coleman had exchanged further points, Glynn-Barntown finished strongly with a Craig Doyle pointed free, while Clarke’s follow-up goal in additional time secured the points.
Glynn-Barntown: P.J. Carley; David Clarke (1-0), Jack Fenlon, Cian Neville; Matthew Doyle, Craig Doyle (0-6, 5 frees, 1 ‘65), Shane Codd; Pádraic Weafer, Rowan White; Kevin Crean (0-3), Michael Doyle, Brendan Doyle (0-2); Daire Barron, Matthew Joyce (0-4, 3 frees), Barry Doyle. Subs. - Ben O’Shea for Barron, J.J. Doyle (1-0) for Weafer.
St. Martin’s: Luke White; John Hamilton, Kevin Price, Mikey Coleman; Ryan Murphy (0-1), Patrick O’Connor, Edward O’Byrne; Harry O’Connor (01), Paudie Kelly; Joe Coleman (0-8, 5 frees), Seán Stafford (0-1), Darren Codd (0-1); Conor Coleman, Nicky Greene, Richard Devereux. Subs. - Dylan Byrne for Kelly, Callum Quirke (1-0) for Murphy
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James’).