Nolan shines for Coolkenno
Game in balance until end
COOLKENNO full-forward Ger Nolan had a haul of 3-1 in this game but it would be a mistake to think that this was a one-man show.
Geordan Murray also contributed 2-1 to the Kilcoole total in a contest which had six goals, three penalties and was in the balance until literally the last kick of the game.
This Junior ‘C’ football championship game, played in Pearse’s Park, Arklow on Saturday evening last August 13 displayed two contrasting styles with Kilcoole keeping possession and running the ball while Coolkenno were inclined to be more direct.
Kilcoole got into their stride with an early point from a free by Geordan Murray.
At midfield Gary Coady and Pat Woods had established an early dominance and the Goose Bank side were carrying the play to Coolkenno in tight passing movements with Geordan Murray handling a lot of ball in the early minutes.
However, their finish was letting them down at this stage and they failed to put their dominance on the scoreboard.
Coolkenno were more inclined to let the ball do the work and made far more use of foot passes and long clearances placed in front of their forwards.
Karl Timmons levelled matters after three minutes but Barry Doyle fisted a point after five minutes to restore the Kilcoole lead.
In the ninth minute Coolkenno manufactured a goal in a manner which illustrated the difference in approach to attack between the two sides. Ian Roche placed a long clearance in front of Keith Farrell.
A perfectly weighted fist pass over the head of Conor O’Neill to Ger Nolan put the full forward through one on one with goalkeeper Luke Doyle.
Goal number one for Ger Nolan who followed with a point from play two minutes later. Kilcoole continued to enjoy a lot of possession but their accuracy in front of goal was letting them down, Jason Walsh scored their third point on 18 minutes but Karl Timmons responded with a point, which might have been a goal had he not slowed to pick the ball in front of goal.
In the next minute Kilcoole were awarded their first penalty. Geordan Murray dispatched his shot to the net to the left of goalkeeper Stevie Donoghue. The sides were level at 1-3 each and Kilcoole had got some reward for their hard graft. Chris Bowes put Coolkenno ahead again only for Jason Walsh to even things up again. The strong running Karl Timmons added two points (one a free) for the Carlow border men to leave them ahead at the break.
At half time Coolkenno brought on Charles Burgess and placed him at left half-back, presumably to counter the activities of Geordan Murray.
They began the second half strongly and had two scores on the board, a point from Billy Lucas and Ger Nolan’s second goal, by the tenth minute. Robert Whelan and Karl Timmons exchanged scores from frees and then, in the fifteenth minute came the goal of the game. Kilcoole moved the ball up their right wing to almost the end line.
A great cross out from the front of the goalmouth was met with his fist by the in rushing Geordan Murray to score as good a goal as is likely to be scored in any championship game.
Coolkenno were still three points up but it was ‘game on’ now. Two minutes later Kilcoole were awarded their second penalty.
Geordan Murray changed to Stevie Donoghue’s right this time but the net minder was wise to it and brought off a great save.
Cormac Byrne and Jason Walsh exchanged points with 10 minutes to go to leave the gap still at three points. When Billy Lucas added a point from play followed by a long range Adam O’Neill free which was allowed to hop over the bar, it appeared that the Kilcoole goose was cooked.
They had other ideas and kept battling away. They were awarded their third penalty with two minutes to go for the ball being handled on the ground in the vicinity of the small square.
Robert Whelan goaled, two points in it and we had an exciting last few minutes. With Kilcoole on the attack seeking the winning goal, a long clearance from defence ended in the hands of Ger Nolan whose shot for an insurance point dipped under the crossbar for his hat trick of goals. The final whistle sounded to a very fine game contested in a spirited and sporting manner.
Scorers – Coolkenno: Ger Nolan 3-1, Karl Timmons 0-5, Billy Lucas 0-2, Adam O’Neill 0-1, Cormac Byrne 0-1, Chris Bowes 0-1.
Kilcoole: Geordan Murray 2-1. Robert Whelan 1-1, Jason Walsh 0-3, Barry Doyle 0-1.
Coolkenno: Stevie Donoghue; Willie Henderson, Tom Bolger, Patrick Byrne; Richard Quinn, Ian Roche, Chris Bowes; Philip Timmons, Adam O’Neill; Billy Lucas, Karl Timmons, Padraig Waterton; Cormac Byrne, Ger Nolan, Keith Farrell; Subs: Charles Burgess for Padraig Waterton. David Timmons for Richard Quinn.
Kilcoole: Luke Doyle; Shane Evans, Conor O’Neill, Chris Byrne; Jamie Murray, James Scullion, James Toner; Gary Coady, Pat Woods; Geordan Murray, Robert Whelan, Jason Walsh; Ross Hackett, Conor Scullion, Barry Doyle; Subs: Jamie Coles for James Scullion, Joe Diskin for Barry Doyle.
Referee: Gerry Corbett.