Four goals power Alley
THREE second-half goals saw Buffers Alley walk away with a win over Davidstown-Courtnacuddy in this Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior football championship Group B game in Oylegate.
The eventual winners always looked the stronger side throughout, and although they only led by a point at half-time, they put things right with a commanding second-half display, hitting three goals in the final quarter to put the result beyond doubt.
The Alley gave themselves a great start with two points inside five minutes from Domhnaill McArdle and John Lee Meyler, shortly followed by a well-taken goal from Séan Óg Whelan.
But Davidstown-Courtnacuddy to their credit made their opponents work for everything for the remainder of the half, and within six minutes of conceding that goal, they were back level thanks to well-taken points from Stephen Kennedy and Stephen Dunbar, and a goal from Pádraig Loughlin after a mix-up in the Buffers Alley defence.
Scores were traded between Kennedy and Meyler, and Paul O’Leary and Dunbar, to leave a point between the sides at the break.
That was as close as things got however, as Buffers Alley were much more dominant in a number of positions and showed a lot more conviction in front of the posts, going ahead by three points before substitute Paul Nangle grabbed a goal shortly after being introduced midway through the half.
Philip Murphy replied with a point but Seán Murphy increased the lead to seven with a thunderous shot to the roof of the net from 20 yards.
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy did find a reply again with a fisted goal from Dunbar, but when the dangerous Nangle found the net for a second time it ensured Buffers Alley would take the points with a deserved win.
Buffers Alley: Darren O’Brien; Conor Kenny, Seán Murphy (1-2), Alan Doyle; Robert O’Leary, Shane Grannell, Ciarán Murphy; Pat Kenny, Séan Óg Whelan (1-0); Paul O’Leary (0-1), Domhnaill McArdle (0-1), Kevin Roche; John Lee Meyler (0-4), Paul Doyle (02), Eoin Dempsey. Subs. - Keith Burke for P. O’Leary, Paul Nangle (2-1) for Dempsey, Paudie Kinsella for Roche.
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy: Seán Howlin; Donal O’Shea, David Shore, Daniel Delaney; Kieran McCabe, Paul Sheridan, Eoin Keane; Philip Murphy (0-1), Alan Hickey; Pádraig Loughlin (1-1), David Dunne, James Doyle (1-1); Stephen Kennedy (0-3, 2 frees), John Delaney (0-1), Stephen Dunbar (1-2). Subs. - Ryan Murray for Sheridan, Ger Martin for McCabe, James Kelly for Delaney, Mick Murphy for Dunne.
Referee: Brendan Holohan (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown).