Experience proves vital
A CASTLETOWN second string loaded with experience proved too strong for Monageer-Boolavogue in the Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior football championship Group A in Bellefield.
The victors fell behind to a Matthew Dunne free but never trailed again after James Holmes kicked a fine equaliser in the tenth minute. Indeed, former county man Holmes was involved again moments later when Seán Roche netted the first of his side’s three majors.
Niall Hempenstall made several fine saves throughout the 60 minutes, including one from Seán Murphy to keep his side 1-2 to 0-2 ahead at the end of the opening quarter.
Things got even better for Castletown when Shane Halpin flashed high to the net in the 24th minute, finishing a superb team move that included telling contributions from Jimmy Fogarty and Kevin Morris.
Trailing by 2-5 to 0-3 at the break, Monageer-Boolavogue needed a response. They got it when Matthew Dunne netted a penalty after a foul on James Sweeney, but only after Hempenstall had been penalised for moving off his line when saving Mick Sweeney’s initial spot-kick.
Monageer-Boolavogue failed to get any closer than that, and when James Holmes coolly slotted past Niall Finn with three minutes remaining the game was up. Dunne did added a second, last-gasp, spot-kick but it made no significant difference to the outcome.
Castletown: Niall Hempenstall; David Deering, Ryan Murphy, Paul Nugent; Aaron Condren, George Sunderland (0-1), Oisín Condren; Yusif Frih, Jimmy Fogarty (0-1); Liam Condren, Kevin Morris (capt.), Noel Morris; Shane Halpin (1-1), James Holmes (1-4), Seán Roche (1-1). Subs. - Gavin Stamp for K. Morris (31), Darragh Brooks (0-1 free) for Frih (42), Peter Fogarty for Nugent (49), Killian Pierce for Stamp (55), Stephen Rafferty for L. Condren (57), Ciarán Fleming for Roche (60+1).
Monageer-Boolavogue: Niall Finn; Liam Gahan, Chris Daly, Morgan Gahan; Paddy Breen, Brian O’Loughlin, Ian Hawkins (0-1); Cathal Walsh (0-1), Tommy Breen; Mick Sweeney (capt.), Damien Fenlon, Niall O’Reilly; Seán Murphy, Matthew Dunne (2-2, 2-0 pens., 0-2 frees), James Sweeney (0-1). Subs. - John Darcy for Gahan (28), Robbie Donnelly for Murphy, black card (40), Conall Nolan (0-1) for Sweeney (49).
Referee: Jack Stafford (Clongeen).