Subs make the difference
COOLKENNO 0-14 CARNEW EMMETS 1-07
TWO substitutions proved vital for Coolkenno as they recorded a 1-14 to 0-07 victory over Carnew on the Carlow border last weekend.
The introduction of Paul Murphy and Paddy Dalton worked a treat for the home side and gave them the edge over a tiring Carnew side who had looked like pulling off a sweet victory at times during this entertaining encounter on a fine summer’s evening.
The energetic Murphy would notch two wicked points while Dalton’s arrival steadied the Coolkenno ship and the former Wicklow star also chipped in with a fine score of his own as the home side turned the screw on their visitors.
Some members of the Coolkenno backroom team appeared upset after the final whistle at the performance of referee Liam Cullen who had issued two black cards to Coolkenno players for preventing Darragh Kelly for taking quick kick-outs and who had not black carded the Carnew corner-back after a blatantly cynical foul on Conor Walker.
The Coolkenno team had a definite case for the upset in the case of the black cards which is a rule that is causing grief up and down the country because of its complete openness to misinterpretations and misunderstandings by referees, players, managers and spectators.
The game, however, was a decent one. Coolkenno opened up a four-point lead after 10 minutes thanks to a lightning start from full-forward Ben Jackman, an outstanding effort from James Gregan, a beast of a score from Don Jackman and a second effort from Ben Jackman after a magical ball from Conor Walker.
Carnew had had their chances in those opening 10 minutes but had only recorded wides until Brendan McCrea popped over a free after 13 minutes.
Brian Rossiter slotted over for the home side before John Kavanagh converted his own free. This was followed by a Conal McCrea score and a Brendan McCrea point and all of a sudden Carnew were back to within one and that’s how it stayed at the break with Paul Murphy entering the fray before the half-time whistle.
Murphy’s impact on the resumption was immediate and his effort at goal was blocked out by Ciaran Mulhall for a 45. Conor Walker’s 45 was punched over by Murphy.
Within seven minutes of the second half Carnew were level thanks to points from John Kavanagh and Brendan McCrea and then the visitors took the lead through a John Kavanagh free before Paul Murphy levelled things again with a lovely score.
Conor Walker pointed Coolkenno back in front before Carnew were gifted a jammy goal when a free that was dropping short seemed to break off Shane Walker and ended up going in past John Corcoran in the Coolkenno goal, 1-07 to 0-08.
The small crowd expected carnew to push on from here but Coolkenno unleashed Paddy Dalton from the bench and removed Paul Keogh from full-back with James Gregan going back to the edge of the square and Dalton slotting in at midfield.
With Carnew clearly tiring after a hectic schedule over the past week, Coolkenno started to get on top and they powered home with points from Conor Walker (4), Paddy Dalton and a stunner from Eoghan Dolan off his left to see the home team home.
Scorers – Coolkenno: Conor Walker 0-05 (3f), Ben Jackman 0-02, Paul Murphy 0-02, Paddy Dalton 0-01, James Gregan 0-01, Don Jackman 0-01, Brian Rossiter 0-01, Eoghan Dolan 0-01.
Carnew: Brendan McCrea 0-03 (1f), John Kavanagh 0-03 (3f), Conal McCrea 0-01 (f), Shane Walker 1-00 (OG).
Coolkenno: John Corcoran; Shane Walker, Paul Keogh, Cathal Rossiter; James Gregan, Jim Cushe, David Cole; Bob Keogh, Don Jackman; Brian Rossiter, Conor Walker, Danny Neill; Eoghan Dolan, Ben Jackman, Cormac Byrne. Subs: Paul Murphy for C Byrne, Paddy Dalton for P Keogh, Paul Keogh for B Jackman (BC).
Carnew: Darragh Kelly; Michael Rock, Patrick Nolan, Ciaran Mulhall; Enda Donohue, Adrian Myers, Nick Skelton; Justin House, John Walshe; Seamus Osborne, Brendan McCrea, Drew Brennan; Conal McCrea, John Kavanagh, Cillian Gilligan.
Referee: Liam Cullen