Hollywood secure status

Lacken-Kilbride make drop

HOLLYWOOD L’KEN-K’BRIDE 4-20 0-6

HOLLYWOOD emphatically kept their Junior ‘A’ status alive for next season in the Fitzgerald Kitchen’s Junior ‘A’ Football Championship relegation final with a devastating display over Lacken-Kilbride at home last Friday evening in good conditions for football considering the time of year.

Hollywood had hugely impressive performances from both Ciaran McGuire and Niall Clarke along with Ben O’Keeffe, who was a constant threat throughout.

Going forward for Lacken-Kilbride, this will be a huge blow for the recently amalgamated club, who face into the Junior ‘B’ ranks next season.

The lakesiders were short the services of a number of key players: the Cripp brothers, Tom McKeon and Kevin McLoughlin were just a few of their regular starters to mention.

Ben O’Keeffe opened the scoring in the third minute as he curled over a sweet right footed shot from the wing. Hollywood then raced on with points from James Mooney, Thomas Kelly and Niall Clarke.

Lacken-Kilbride opened their account in the tenth minute with a pointed free from the boot of Conor O’Toole, which he duly doubled up moments later, but it was only a brief respite, as the home side rose up another level.

Conall Byrne bombed over a long-range point before the industrious Niall Clarke landed his second minor of the evening after good work by Ciaran McGuire to close out the opening quarter with Hollywood now leading 0-6 to 0-2.

Sean Murphy fired over an impressive long-range free to keep the lakesiders in touch, after Niall Toolis was fouled going through.

Hollywood dominated the second quarter. Kevin Glennon rose a pair of white flags in quick succession as they laid siege to their opponents’ goal.

Ben O’Keeffe and Niall Clarke further increased the lead, before Thomas Kelly pointed, closing out the scoring of the opening period as Hollywood led 0-12 to 0-3 at the break.

Darren Healy cut inside and pointed on the restart after good work by Ross Tyrell. Ben O’Keeffe harvested the opening goal of the game in the next attack after a great one-two with Thomas Kelly which put the result beyond doubt.

Conor McNamara moved from midfield into full-forward and gathered a great ball under immense pressure and split the posts with his effort to register Lacken-Kilbride’s only score from play.

To their credit they battled on, and another pointed free from Conor O’Toole was recored.

Kevin Glennon made a dashing run through the Lacken-Kilbride rearguard and yielded another major for the home side.

Hollywood emptied the bench, while the opposition hadn’t the luxury of any fresh legs to call on.

It was going to be a matter of damage limitation for the lakesiders but Adam Coyne fired home a third major for Hollywood going into the final ten minutes.

Conor McNamara stopped the rot briefly with a pointed free after good work by Sean Murphy and Timmy Broe.

However, relentless pressure by Hollywood added another five unanswered points before Adam Coyne fired home his second major just before the full-time whistle sounded.

- Hollywood: Adam Coyne 2-0, Ben O’Keeffe 1-3 (1f), Thomas Kelly 0-6, Kevin Glennon 1-2, Niall Clarke 0-4, James Mooney 0-1 (1f), Conall Byrne 0-1, Darren Healy 0-1, Ciaran McGuire 0-1, John Teehan Burke 0-1.

Lacken-Kilbride: Conor McNarmara 0-3 (2f), Conor O’Toole 0-2 (2f), Sean Murphy 0-1 (1f).

Eoin Harkin; Paul Kelly, John Mooney, Kevin Cullen; Kevin Glennon, Ross Tyrrell, Conall Byrne; Nathan O’Sullivan, Ciaran McGuire; Thomas Kelly, Niall Clarke, Darren Healy; Ben O’Keeffe, James Mooney, Eoin Clarke. Subs: Liam Callinan, John Teehan Burke, Evan Burke, Conor Callinan, Adam Coyne.

Scorers HOLLYWOOD: LACKEN-KILBRIDE:

James O’Neill; Sean Denninson, Timmy Broe, Larry O’Connor; Richard Ward, Nic Byrne, Niall Keogh; Niall Toolis, Conor McNamara; Sean Murphy, Ger McDonnell, Daniel Griffith; Connor O’Toole, Charlie Clarke, John Joe Nolan.

REFEREE:

Stephen Fagan (Baltinglass)