Éire Óg romp to victory
ÉIRE ÓG 3-10 KILBRIDE 0-04
THIS Division 3 league clash was somewhat of a mismatch from the off as Éire Óg powered into an early lead which would prove to be unassailable.
Éire Óg fielded a strong team with several players on show who will more than likely play Senior championship for their side in the coming months.
However, it was one of the home side’s rising stars who proved to be pivotal for his side in the early stages. As early as the first minute of the game, James Delahunty had opened his account with a fine score from the right wing, shooting over his shoulder with his left foot to send his side into the lead, a lead which they would never relinquish.
The following kick out was held up in a strong wind and Delahunty got himself in position to pluck the ball out of the air before using his searing pace to surge forward into the space ahead of him. The finish was just as impressive as Delahunty’s opening score as he dispatched the ball into the far corner of the net, leaving the Kilbride goalkeeper with no chance.
Kilbride opened their account shortly afterwards. A free from the 45 yard line was expertly sliced over the bar by Kevin McLoughlin using the outside of his right boot. But this was a rare opportunity for the away side in a first half made more difficult by a diagonal crossfield wind.
Éire Óg responded immediately. A long kick out from goalkeeper Anto Byrne beat the midfield and fell perfectly for James Cranley. The wing forward collected the ball at pace, racing up the field before splitting the posts with a fine finish.
Delahunty, Daniel Webb, Cranley and James Smullen combined to add further scores for their side, leaving Kilbride with a mountain to climb before the half-time whistle had even sounded.
There was simply going to be no let up from the home side and this was made abundantly clear when Daniel Webb, picking the ball up 45 yards out, embarked on a mazy solo run with fancy footwork you wouldn’t find in the All-Ireland Irish dancing championships.
Beating two men, Webb found space on his favoured left foot and rifled into the net to complete another excellent solo goal for his side.
Shortly afterwards, referee Darragh Byrne was forced to issue a yellow card to Finn Craul for a high challenge. They say the sign of a good referee is when you don’t notice them and Byrne kept the game flowing well, only stepping in when necessary.
With the game all but over, Kilbride didn’t let the heads drop and rallied to pick up several scores of their own. Finn Craul got on the end of a fine move after Michael Ruttle was fouled on the counter and played in Owen Keogh who split the posts from 30 yards. Moments later, Craul and Keogh combined again before finding McLoughlin running through the middle at pace. The midfielder made no mistake from 25 yards to double his tally for the day.
Just before half-time Gearoid Cruise got on the end of a high ball in and punched over the bar. This left the scoreline 2-08 to 0-04 at the break.
The result was put beyond all doubt when Éire Óg found the net for the third and final time in the second half. Daniel Byrne, James Delahunty and Glenn Hayden were all involved in the build up before a high ball into the goalmouth found Evan Thompson. Thompson powered a low shot into the net with ease to seal the points for his side.
This would prove to be the final score of the game in what was a low scoring second half, in no small part due to the strong wind in Greystones.
Éire Óg: Dermot Blake, Leon Browne, Dominic O’ Brien, Mick dunne, James Woods, Dominic Reilly, Daniel Byrne, Anto Byrne, Pearse Kelly, Brendan Byrne (0-01), Daniel Webb (1-01), James Cranley (0-03), James Delahunty (1-04), James Smullen(0-01), Evan Thompson (1-00).
Kilbride: A. Osbourne, N. Keogh, P. Donohoe, C. Dillon, K. Mordaunt, R. Ward, N. Donohoe, M. Donoghue, K. McLoughlin (0-02), M. Putter, F. Craul, O. Keogh (0-01), G. Cruise (0-01), A. O’ Brien, M. O’ Shea. Subs: T. White.