Réalt recover as Ferns fade
Holders reach District final
REALT NA Mara came out on top of this bizarre Greenstar Gorey District Under-21 football Roinn 1 championship semi-final against Ferns St. Aidan’s in Ballygarrett on Saturday.
In truth, the hosts should have been a beaten side at half-time. Ferns, moving the ball slickly, through the hands and with great off the shoulder running, were cutting them to shreds.
They had five great goal chances but only two were taken.
As it happens, it was their first two, both dispatched by Chris Turner after penetrative handpass build-ups.
There was only eight minutes on the clock when the second hit the net, putting them 2-1 to 0-1 up and in control.
Eoghan Murphy flashed wide off balance with just Kiran Gigi to beat moments after his side’s second goal.
Then, with Ferns leading by 2-2 to 0-3 in the 18th minute, the home ‘keeper did superbly to come out and smother Turner’s shot in a one-on-one.
Réalt na Mara were playing with a howling breeze in the first-half and they somehow bundled their way level when Dylan Sweeney’s vicious shot beat Jason Maguire. With moods changing, James Lawlor went clean through on goal but Gigi saved once again.
The ‘take your point’ quips quickly started but Lawlor was correct to go for goal, as it was a great chance. With Sweeney on fire at the other end, Réalt na Mara somehow found themselves in front at the break by 1-8 to 2-3.
Ferns looked a little confused in the second-half, as the running game was gone in favour of a more direct style and they struggled. Meanwhile, Réalt na Mara were able to control the ball and the game, without needing to continually break their opponents down to prosper.
The decisive score came in the 50th minute. It was all about Patrick Fleming as he burst away and powered through on the right of goal, went for it and got a little luck as his shot was deflected to the net with Billy Conroy lurking.
Ivan Meegan picked off three points in nine minutes to close the gap to two, but his side couldn’t create another major opportunity.
Indeed, James Fleming went closer at the other end in injury time but his miss didn’t prove costly as Réalt na Mara advanced to the decider to face the winners of Craanford and St. Patrick’s who were due to meet yesterday (Monday).
Réalt na Mara: Kiran Gigi; Patrick Fleming (1-1), David Doran (capt.), Killian Doyle; Eoin Corcoran, Darren Morris, Brian O’Connor; Tom Sinnott, Cathal Dunbar; Michael Burke (0-1), Billy Conroy, Brendan Corcoran (0-1); James Fleming, Dylan Sweeney (1-6, 0-3 frees), Jack Doyle. Subs. - Conor Doyle for J. Doyle, inj. (43), Conor Dowling for Conroy (60+3).
Ferns St. Aidan’s: Jason Maguire; Aaron Cahill, Patrick O’Hagan, William Bolger; Brian O’Neill (0-1), Conor Scallan, Jack O’Hagan; Eoghan Murphy, Niall Murphy; P.J. O’Neill, James Lawlor, Peter O’Toole; Ivan Meegan (0-6, 3 frees, 1 ’45), Chris Turner (2-0), Ben Cowman (capt.). Subs. - Jeff Tobin for O’Neill, inj. (25), Conor Nolan for J. O’Hagan (53).
Referee: David Owens (Kilrush).