Strong showing from Carnew in second half
Photos: Joe Byrne
CARNEW EMMETS BARNDARRIG 4-4 0-2
CARNEW EMMETS produced a very strong second-half performance to claim victory in their opening Wicklow LGFA Division 3 Cup game against Barndarrig last Saturday evening.
A low-scoring first half that ended with both teams registering just a single point was quickly forgotten after the break when the home side exploded into life with substitute Ella Doran grabbing the game’s opening goal moments after Mary O’Neill had fired wide from a penalty.
Barndarrig would endure a difficult second half on the Wexford border as they faced a strong breeze and a Carnew side stirred from their first-half slumber with the returning Nicole Kavanagh and Ella Doran both mad for work around the middle third while Emma Kinnear proved clinical at the other end with 2-1 for her troubles.
Barndarrig carried hard down into the Carnew defence but met a rearguard with Sinead Kinsella and Sarah Doyle in particular in no mood for messing and the visitors failed to adjust to the sweeping wind that thwarted the majority of their attacks in that second half.
Caitlin Hughes followed Ella Doran’s goal with a fine score after a ball from Nicole Kavanagh who would fire wide herself moments later as would midfielder Mary O’Neill before Emma Kinnear bagged her first score of the game with a fine point to make it 1-3 to 0-1.
Barndarrig’s Laura Murphy got her side’s first score of the second half from a free but the game was transformed in the next few moments with Kinnear firing past Una Murray after a long ball from Roisin Kennedy before Nicole Kavanagh split the posts with a fine point to make it 2-4 to 0-1 which was a formidable lead given the context of the wind and the sharpness of the Barndarrig attack.
To be fair to the visitors, they attacked with purpose and bravery, Mary Doyle driving them on from centre back, and they registered two wides, the first from Orlaith Browne, the second from Grace Cleary, but when Mary O’Neill found the top corner of the Barndarrig goal with a sweet strike it was all over bar the shouting at 3-4 to 0-2.
Back came Barndarrig looking to get some traction on the scoreboard with they found goalkeeper Liz Collins in fine form as she saved from full-forward Sophie Fogarty while Grace Cleary would fire wide with a late goal chance.
Emma Kinnear finished a very impressive second half with a fine goal to leave the final score reading 4-4 to 0-2 in favour of Carnew Emmets with big improvements being made on the Wexford border for what looks to be an exciting 2020 ahead.
CARNEW EMMETS:
Liz Collins; Eabha Barnes, Sinead Kinsella, Rebecca Barnes; Roisin Kennedy, Helen Hughes, Juanita Wilkinson; Mary O’Neill, Miriam Smith; Caitlin Hughes, Nicole Kavanagh, Molly Munroe; Sarah Donohoe, Alison Smith, Aoife Fleming. Subs: Ella Doran for A Smith (h/t), Aoife Callaghan for E Callaghan (h/t), Jessica Kinsella for R Barnes, Sarah Doyle for E Barnes, Emma Kinnear for S Donohoe, Pauline Tobin.
BARNDARRIG:
Una Murray; Grace Cleary, Natalie Kennedy, Shauna Dickenson; Roisin Scales, Mary Doyle, Hannah O’Shea; Iona Murray, Jess Traynor; Edel Mackey, Laura Murphy, Orlaith Browne; Rachel Murphy, Sophie Fogarty, Aisling Dowling. Subs: Sarah Shanley, Emma Collins, Eilish Murray, Katie Stanley.
REFEREE:
Brian (Baltinglass)