McCrea shines for Carnew
Brendan leads the way in victory over Ashford side
CARNEW EMMETS 1-17 ASHFORD 0-08 CARNEW and Ashford served up an entertaining game of football in this D’Arcy Sand Intermediate Football Championship Group Game at Pearse’s Park, Arklow on Saturday evening.
It was the men from the Wexford border who came out on top by eight points in the end. Carnew’s pace in the forwards caused Ashford huge headaches all evening and if they can get quick supply into the likes of Brendan McCrea, Cillian Gilligan, and the accurate John Kavanagh they will cause huge problems for anyone in the Intermediate ranks this year.
Both sides were slow out of the blocks and the opening 15 minutes was a game of shadow boxing with both sides trying to suss the other out. Carnew threatened on occasion but poor passing stopped them in their tracks and after 15 minutes it was a point apiece as both full-forwards, John Kavanagh and Brian Coen, exchanged pointed frees.
It was at this midway point in the second half that Carnew burst into life and hit a purple patch. Brendan McCrea tore through the heart of the defence and pointed before the goal arrived in the 17th minute. Good build up play from Andy Hughes saw the ball worked to Cillian Gilligan on the edge of the D. The corner forward attempted a point but got under it and it hung dangerously over the square. John Kavanagh was quickest to react and fisted into the bottom left corner.
Gilligan pointed his next chance to put Carnew six ahead and from there to the end of the half the sides exchanged points to leave that same margin in it at the break.
Brendan McCrea grew into the game as the half wore on and looked to turn and take on his man every time the ball came his way, while inside, Kavanagh was a constant threat and accurate throughout. Ashford were spreading the ball around well, particularly Ross Quinn, and got some good scores but they needed the get a handle on the Carnew danger men.
The second half started with Carnew in the ascendancy once more and Brendan McCrea sold two dummies before kicking the opening point. Gavin Weir and centre back Mick Taylor responded in kind for Ashford but they couldn’t seem to get within touching distance of Carnew and in truth they never really looked like scoring the goal they needed to close the gap. Although they were kicking some great points they couldn’t keep the Carnew forwards quite as the two McCreas, Drew Brennan and Gilligan kept Carnew ticking over to open a nine-point lead, 1-14 to 8 midway through the second half.
Ashford did mount a mini comeback with four points in a row, included an absolutely peach from Ross Quinn on the outside of the boot but in truth Carnew always looked like they had the pace and ability to beat their men in the forwards and Ashford’s problems were compounded when Gavin Weir was shown a harsh black card for a tackle on Cillian Gilligan.
Kavanagh added the resultant free to put seven between the sides but Ashford were given a glimmer of hope when Conall McCrea was shown a straight red for petulantly kicking out.
Coen did add a point but Carnew closed out the remainder with the closing two scores including an Enda Donohue long range free.
Carnew will be delighted with the win but will need to improve as their play was sloppy at times. It was a harsh return to Intermediate for Ashford but if they can tighten up at the back they possess some very useful forwards with the likes of Aaron Nugent, Ross Quinn and Brian Coen and will be a tough match for anyone.
Scorers - Carnew: John Kavanagh 1-7 (5f), Brendan McCrea 0-4, Cillian Gilligan 0-2, Conall McCrea 0-2, Enda Donohue 0-1 (f), 12 0-1.
Ashford: Brian Coen 0-4 (3f), Aaron Nugent 0-3 (2f), Mick Taylor 0-2, Gavin Weir 0-1, Ross Quinn 0-1, Micheal Dickinson 0-1.
Carnew: Cormac Doyle, Willie Collins, Paul Nolan, Adrian Myers, Niall Osbourne, Andrew Hughes, Nick Skelton, Padraig Doran, Justin House, Enda Donohue, Brendan McCrea, Drew Brennan, Cillian Gilligan, John Kavanagh, Conall McCrea. Subs: John Walshe for Adrian Myers, Liam Kennedy for Drew Brennan, Mark Collins for Niall Osbourne, James Nolan for Nick Skelton.
Ashford: Will Hender Philips, Michael Dickinson, Ronan O’Siuchru, Rob Clarkson, James Coffey, Mick Taylor, Mikey Treanor, Joe Doyle, Graham Mooney, Ross Quinn, Brendan Manning, Dean Mooney, Cal Connoly, Brian Coen, Aaron Nugent. Subs: Gavin Weir for Brendan Manning, David Dowling for Graham Mooney, Brian Shannon for Joe Doyle, Iarla O’Donnell for Gavin Weir (Black card), Lee Fitzpatrick for Micheal Dickinson.
Referee: Pat Dunne (Hollywood)