EIRE OG GREYSTONES 0-11 CARNEW EMMETS 0-10
THE meeting of Carnew Emmets and Eire Og Greystone saw both clubs enter this contest in search of a morale-boosting victory with the Wexford-border side aiming to bounce back following two defeats in a row, while Eamonn Scallan’s side were aiming to record their first win in the campaign having lost by narrow margins to county champions Bray Emmets and St Patrick’s.
The end result saw Eamonn Scallan’s side collect two vital points and in doing so inflicted a third defeat in a row for the Wexford-border side, with a one-point winning margin in what was a keenly-contested game that went right down to wire at Joule Park on Sunday evening last.
The pre-match favourites Carnew Emmets took the game to the challengers from the start and were rewarded with a point from a free by Padraic Doran after four minutes.
This brought a quick response from the north Wicklow side which saw wing-forward Gavin Parslow score the first of his three points, which were all from play, to bring the sides level at a point each after six minutes.
At this stage Tom Darcy’s side upped the tempo which saw them score three unanswered points, which must have pleased the team management as three different players featured on the scoreboard.
Wing-forward Jack Doyle set the ball rolling with the first point, while dual player Robert Lambert also got his name on the scoreboard and Cormac Doyle also added a point, which proved to be these players only score for the entire game as the Eire Og defence battened down the hatches on all three players.
Despite the early setback the Greystones team set about reducing the deficit, which saw them record two wides in row before Michael Walsh scored a point from play which inspired his team mates to respond.
Following another attack James Cranley was fouled as he headed towards goal, which left top score Anto Byrne with an easy task as slotted over the first of his five points which saw the score line reading 0-4 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter.
With play flowing from end to end which saw both sides record two wides, it was the winners who surged forward once more, which forced the Carnew defenders to foul, but on three different occasions the winners failed to convert their dominance into scores with three wides in a row, two frees and a 65 which could have proved costly. A typical Carnew rally saw Drew Brennan score a wonderful point from out on the sideline.
With both defences on top scores were hard to come by which saw six minutes elapse without a score.
Gavin Parslow and veteran Don Hyland exchanged a point each from play and one last effort before the break saw James Cranley float a long ball towards the Carnew goal, which saw the ball rebound of the upright and the alert Michael Collins showed his ability as a goalkeeper by winning possession and a free out.
Referee Jimmy Kelly blew the half-time whistle with Carnew leading 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.
Just as they did in the opening half, Padraic Doran opened the second half scoring with a point from a free.
A quick response from the winners saw them surge up the field but not for the first time in the game they were off target.
Carnew replied and following and attack Padraic Doran pointed a free to give his team a 0-8 to 0-4 lead six minutes into the second half.
The winners were denied a goal following a good move involving several players which forced Michael Collins to make an excellent save.
After both sides recorded a wide each it was the winners who upped their game and showed no fear of their seasoned opponents as they took the game to the Wexford border men once again and were rewarded with a point each from James Cranley and Anto Byrne to reduce the deficit which left Carnew hanging on to two-point lead 0-8 to 0-6.
Don Hyland, who had moved out field, gathered the ball and gave a quick ball to Cormac Doyle who was fouled as he headed towards goals, which saw Hyland convert the free to increase the lead 0-9 to 0-6, which left the game hanging in the balance as both teams strived to be winners.
The Greystones men showed they were up for the occasion as the hit a golden spell, with three points in row being recorded.
Impressive Gavin Parslow scored h1s third point, Anto Byrne showed his ability as a free-taker while wing-back Peter Keane brought the sides level with a long-range point from play to bring the sides level at 0-9 each with six minutes left to play.
The winners kept plugging away which resulted in free being awarded which Anto Byrne pointed to give his side the lead for the first time in the game, but the lead was short-lived as Carnew attacked, which resulted in Jack Doyle being fouled which saw Padraic Doran convert with time almost up and looking like a draw.
But the Greystones side had other ideas as they went in search for the winner which saw Anto Byrne convert a point from a free to edge his side a point ahead.
One last effort saw a Padraic Doran shot fall short, which saw the Eire Og defence stand firm and they recorded a morale-boosting victory.
It was a good all team performance which will give the winners a great lift going forward, while Carnew will have to show a vast improvement if they are to become real championship contenders.
Scorers - Eire Og Greystones: Anto Byrne (0-5, four frees), Gavin Parslow (0-3), Michael Walsh (0-1), James Cranley (0-1), Peter Keane (0-1).
Carnew Emmets: Padraic Doran (0-4, all frees), Don Hyland (0-2, one free), Drew Brennan (0-1), Jack Doyle (0-1), Cormac Doyle (0-1), Robert Lambert (0-1).
Dan O’Neill, Sean Hughes, Stephen Kelly, Daniel O’Connor, Peter Keane, Billy Cuddihy, Kristian Flynn, Leon Browne, Shane Nolan, Gavin Parslow, Michael Walsh, Daniel Nolan, Hugh O’Neill, Anto Byrne, James Cranley. Subs. - Michael Arrigan for Hugh O’Neill, Ben O’Neill for Michael Walsh.
EIRE OG GREYSTONES: CARNEW EMMETS:
Michael Collins, Willie Collins, John Walsh, Oisin Furlong, Aaron Kinsella, Andrew Hughes, Daire Foley Padraic Doran, Conor McCrea, Jack Doyle, Robert Lambert, Dan Nolan, Drew Brennan, Don Hyland, Cormac Doyle. Sub. - Timmy Collins for Conal McCrea.
REFEREE:
Jimmy Kelly (Knockananna).