Big win for Éire Óg over Bray

Greystones side totally dominate under-13 encounter

ÉIRE ÓG BRAY EMMETS 6-15 1-0

THE last time these two sides crossed paths, Eire Og had only three points to spare, but on this occasion the Greystones side totally dominated the opening round Wicklow Under-13 Group 3 football championship tie at Bray Emmets on Friday evening.

Fielding 12 of their 13 players who were eligible for the under-12 grade, it was on the cards that the youthful home side would struggle to make a favourable impact in the contest, and from an early stage this proved to be exactly the case.

In terms of almost all facets of the game – individual skill, intelligent use of the ball, teamwork and overall understanding – Eire Og proved markedly superior to their opponents, and but for some excellent saves by Emmets’ goalkeeper Leon O’Connor the visiting side would have enjoyed an even more comfortable winning margin at the final whistle.

By half-time, the Greystones outfit had built up a significant 2-6 to 1-0 lead, and on the resumption their superiority was even more pronounced, increasing their tally by four goals and nine points, while holding their opponents scoreless in the latter period.

And while Eire Og can now look forward to their involvement in the second round of the Championship, Emmets will have to be content with attempting to make an impact in the Shield competition which caters for first round losers.

Unsurprisingly, Eire Og manager Kevin Healy expressed himself pleased with his side’s performance.

“Our lads moved the ball well, their passing was slick, and they generally took the best option with regarding to using our possession,” he said.

“But in terms of the game we would have preferred a stiffer contest, and in the past games between ourselves and Bray have been quite close.

“However, the important thing is that we’re in the next round of the Championship.”

Despite his side’s heavy defeat, Emmet’s manager John Broderick adopted an upbeat approach.

“Considering that all but one of the lads will be eligible for under-13 again next year, I thought that they did quite well.

“They worked hard and never gave up against very tough opposition.

“And they can take a lot of credit for that.”

Just two minutes after referee Con O Ceadaigh had started the game, Eire Og made an impact on the scoreboard when Daniel Connerty fired over the bar, and almost immediately Piaras Healy, the son of the team-manager, lashed the ball to the Bray net.

A minute later, Robert Moore added a point, and on 10 minutes Healy raised his second green flag after Emmets goalkeeper O’Connor attempted to clear the ball from the danger area with his foot, leaving the visiting side 2-2 to no score in front.

Over the next eight minutes, this tally was augmented by a brace of points by Robert Moore, and on 25 minutes Daniel Shanahan raised another white flag for Eire Og.

Shortly after this, Emmets made their only impression on the scoreboard when Donnacha O Maolain availed of some hesitancy in the opposing defence to drive the ball past despairing goalkeeper James O’Dowd.

But the home side failed to build on this score, with Eire Og having the final say in the opening half, Hugh O’Carroll landing a point to leave his side holding a nine point advantage at the break.

In the first 10 minutes of the second half, Eire Og added 1-3 to their first half total, Charlie Nolan shooting the goal after being set up by Piaras Healy.

Eight minutes later, Charlie Fox supplied the eventual winners’ fourth goal, and their remaining green flags were raised by Darragh Shanahan and Nathan Donnellan.

Scorers - Éire Óg Greystones: Piaras Healy 2-1, Darragh Shanahan 1-1, Charlie Nolan, Charlie Fox, Nathan Donnellan 1-0 each, Daniel Connerty, Robert Moore, Oisin Murphy 0-3 each, Hugh O’Carroll, Sam Cunningham, Tom Myler, Alex Baines 0-1 each;

Bray Emmets – Donnacha O Maolain 1-0.

Éire Óg Greystones: James O’Dowd, Gavin Lincoln, Liam Finn; Robert Moore, Sean Myler, Darragh Shanahan; Alex Baines, Oisin Murphy; Tom Myler, Daniel Connerty, Charlie Nolan; Piaras Healy, Hugh O’Carroll. Subs: Nathan Donnellan for Tom Myler, Sam Cunningham for Charlie Nolan, Oisin McManus for Liam Finn, Charlie Fox for Sean Myler (all 28 mins), Liam Finn for Gavin Lincoln, Charlie Nolan for Alex Baines (both 51 mins).

Bray Emmets: Leon O’Connor; Liam Egan, Euan Doyle, Joshua Mahon; Charlie Patterson, Fionn Laffan; Conor Broderick, Tadhg Treacy; Tristan O’Doherty, Finn Morrissey, Max Delahunty; Eanna Hayes, Sam Goggins.