EMMETS PIP PAT’S
Moorehouse goal the difference between the sides
BRAY EMMETS 1-15 ST PATRICK’S 0-15
COUNTY champions Bray Emmets and St Patrick’s made the trip to Greystones on Friday evening last for round four of the Dacia Cars Senior-Hurling Championship which proved to be a cracking game, which saw the pre-match favourites emerge victorious after they held off a strong challenge from Michael Neary’s side with the difference between sides a Christy Moorehouse goal midway through the second half that decided the contest.
St Patrick’s launched the first attack which saw Andy O’Brien shoot wide of the posts. A quick response saw the winners surge up field as dual star Mark Lennon collected and rounded his marker to score a point.
After both sides missed a scoring chance each Mark Lennon landed his second point after good work by Christy Moorehouse.
The runners up were left to rue missed chances before Andy O’Brien opened the St Patrick’s scoring with a point from a 65 after seven minutes.
The winners launched two attacks which saw Christy Moorehouse and Dermot Masterson test the St Patrick’s keeper Eoin O’Mahoney, who made two wonderful saves to deny the winners two goals.
With the pressure on it was only a matter of time before scores would come, which saw top scorer Christy Moorehouse score two points from play which saw the winners leading 0 -4 to 0-1.
A Bray attack saw midfielder Dermot Masterson fouled but on this occassion the usually reliable Christy Moorehouse was off target.
Not for the first time a fired up St Patrick’s took the game to their opponents which saw George O’Brien split the Bray defence but he was stopped in his tracks by centre back Luke Maloney which saw Bray surge forward once more which resulted in a free being awarded, which Christy Moorehouse pointed.
Michael Neary’s side showed no fear for their opponents as they rallied to score three points in a row through George O’Connor, George O’Brien and an Andy O’Brien 65 to reduce the deficit.
Bray rallied as they showed some of their flair that has made them champions when they responded with a long ball from Dermot Masterson which saw Eoin O’Mahoney make a brilliant save, which resulted in a 65 which Christy Moorehouse pointed, while another star with a bright future Eoin McCormack scored two points to give his side a lead of 0-8 to 0-4 after 24 minutes in the opening half.
Both defences were on top, with Dara Lohan and Sean Callaghan outstanding, while both keepers were rock solid and dealt with anything that came their way which left scores scare for the remainder of the half.
St Patrick’s forwards were causing havoc in the Bray defence which resulted in a penalty awarded to the Wicklow town side and with silence around the ground up stepped Andy O’Brien with a rasping shot which saw Peter O’Reilly produce a brilliant save that brought cheers from the Bray supporters but St Patricks were left to rue a golden chance which was to prove costly.
The remainder of the half saw John Dee O’Brien and county footballer Aaron Murphy exchange a point each, which saw Bray Emmets leading a score of 0-9 to 0-5 at the break.
Just as they did in the opening half the Wicklow town side launched two attacks but not for the first time shooting let them down as they had two bad wides, A Bray response saw half-time substitute Mikie Lee show his skill when rounded his marker to score the first of his two points.
Bray continued to take the game to their opponents, which saw a long ball from Dermot Masterson find Padraic Doyle which resulted in a free which ace free-taker Christy Moorehouse pointed to give his side a six-point cushion on a score of 0-11 to 0-5 eight minutes into the second half.
St Patrick’s upped the tempo once more as they set about reducing the deficit which saw them win many battles around the field. Michael Connors scored a inspiring point from the half back line while Andy O’Brien and his brother George added a point each, which saw the score line read 0-11 to 0-8 at the end of the third quarter.
Bray Emmets showed their ability to take scores when presented to them which saw Mikie Lee and Dermot Masterson add a point each which brought a quick response from the challengers which saw Andy O’Brien score two points from frees.
With both teams showing commitment and passion which saw many great battles around the field, two wides each were exchanged by Andy O’Brien and Christy Morehouse.
Impressive midfielder George O’Brien scored a point for the Wicklow town side but at this stage the winners were given a boost when a move that was started in their own back line which saw that man again Christy Moorehouse score the only goal of the match which saw the winners leading 1-13 to 0-11.
Following a free on Demot Masterson a long ball from the midfielder found Padraic Doyle who evaded the shackles of fullback Sean Callaghan with a goal at his mercy but not for the first in the game outstanding goalkeeper Eoin O’Mahoney showed his class with an excellent save.
The same pattern of play continued which saw top marksmen Andy O’Brien and Christy Moorehouse exchange a point each from frees.
The winners missed chances when Mikie Lee and Dermot Masterson shot wide of the posts which saw St Patricks keep the pressure on which resulted in George and Andy O’Brien scoring a point each from play.
With six minutes remaining Christy Moorehouse completed the Bray scoring with a point from play which saw the Bray side leading on a score of 1-15 to 0-14.
One last effort by the runners-up to save the day saw two attacks but the winners defence stood firm before Andy O’Brien was fouled out near the side line which was pointed to leave just a goal between the teams.
John Henderson’s side were winners after what was a highly entertain game played between these great rivals and both sides deserve credit for their sportsmanship and judging by the display of both teams interesting times lies ahead as the championship begins to liven up while referee Ciaran Manley played a major