Craanford edge Martin’s
A STRONG second-half saw Craanford overcome St. Martin’s in their Group B game in the Joyces Expert Intermediate ‘A’ football championship in Blackwater on Sunday.
The north Wexford side trailed by four at the break (1-6 to 1-2), but turned the tables as they recorded a solid opening day win.
St. Martin’s dominated the early stages. Conor Coleman, Eoghan Rackard and Diarmuid Byrne all raised the white flag, while Jamesie Nolan’s point was Craanford’s only score inside the first quarter.
James Smyth’s low driven point at the start of the second quarter put one between the teams, but further Byrne minors increased the Martin’s lead to three.
A goal in the 26th minute did shoot Craanford into contention - Patrick Murray and Smyth were involved before Nolan eventually fired into the top left corner with his left foot.
But, this momentary equality was soon lost as the Piercestown-based side finished out the half much stronger.
Martin Whelan’s ball in was misjudged and fumbled by goalkeeper Bob Flynn, allowing Liam O Lionáin to steal in and tap into an empty net.
Byrne then added another free to make it a four-point lead for the saints at the interval.
Yet, as soon as the second-half started, it looked as if the pitch was on a slope with wave after wave of Craanford attacks battering the St. Martin’s defence.
John Fleming and Murray were on target before Craanford got their second major.
Niall Berney picked out Smyth who blasted into the roof of the net, levelling the scores on the 39-minute mark.
St. Martin’s only score of the half was a Byrne free just after the re-start, so two further minors from the men in blue took the victory back north.
Smyth’s free had initially given them the upper hand before Nolan added another point to his previous tally of 1-1.
Nicky Greene’s late denial of Eoin Doyle did little to inspire a late Martin’s fightback, and Craanford held on to seal the win.
Craanford: Bob Flynn; Pat Kenny (capt.), William Conroy, Michael Sinnott; Eoin Doyle, Michael O’Loughlin, Jim Kenny; Martin Doyle, Des Kavanagh; Michael Lyons, James Smyth (1-2, 0-1 free), Niall Berney; John Fleming (0-1), Patrick Murray (0-1), Jamesie Nolan (1-2). Sub. - Pádraig Redmond for Sinnott (57).
St. Martin’s: Nicky Greene; Rory Cullen, Tony Kelly, Jack Whelan; Adam McLoughlin, Donal Kelly, Sam Audsley; Conor Coleman (capt., 0-1), Phillip McDermott; Ben Stafford, Diarmuid Byrne (0-5, 4 frees), Martin Whelan; Diarmuid Barry, Eoghan Rackard (0-1), Liam O Lionáin (10). Subs. - Ciarán Redmond for M. Whelan (43), Adrian Ryan for J. Whelan (48), Darren Jordan for Barry (53).
Referee: Stephen Burke (Volunteers).