Hollywood struggle but finally topple An Tochar
HOLLYWOOD AN TOCHAR 1-09 0-07
HOLLYWOOD qualified for the knock-out stages of the D’Arcy Sand Intermediate Championship following a lacklustre display in Blessington on Sunday evening last.
On league basis, it was top v bottom, but this didn’t reflect what happened on the field of play.
Tony Hannon opened Hollywood’s account with a pointed free in the fourth minute after Brendan Swords handled the ball on the ground but were guilty of five wides in the early stages of the game.
Both goalkeepers were using a quick short kick-out that neither side seemed to close down.
An Tochar played two on Tony Hannon to stem the main scoring threat. Both defences were on top early on, as both sets of forwards struggled to find the target.
Conor Davis levelled the game in the 11th minute after Stephen Connor was fouled going through.
Hollywood struggled around the midfield area badly, but their forward’s lacked conviction when it came to shooting at times, needlessly trying to offload the ball to another forward which were being cut out and cleared.
Brendan Kennedy was sweeping up a lot off loose ball for Andy Jameson’s side but their forwards could not add to their tally either to close out a shocking first quarter.
Tony Hannon broke through two tackles and dispatched the ball over the bar in the 16th minute to put Hollywood in front. Graham Sutton levelled the game moments later with a powerful long-range point after great build up play by Brendan Kennedy.
Joe Glennon collected a quick kick-out and laid off to Ciaran Tyrell, whose shot dropped short into Peter O’Toole’s grasp who cleared, however, Joe Glennon was on hand to pick up a loose pass and fire over Hollywood’s third point with 21 minutes played.
Yet again Tony Hannon broke through two tackles and pointed. Robert Kelly turned over possession with a wayward pass and Conor Davis was on hand to punish with a fine point for An Tochar.
Up the other end Tony Hannon was fouled and played a quick free to Ciaran Tyrell who put the ball into the danger-zone, where Matthew Kelly and Peter O Toole along with Gavin Kenny all rose up to win possession, however, all three knocked over each other, but Kelly got up the quickest to finish the ball to the net for the only major off the game in the 28th minute.
Back came An Tochar with Eamon Wolohan landing a point to reduce the deficit.
Tony Hannon added on another point after a great pass from Ciaran Tyrell.
Peter Byrne made a great break up the field and laid off to Conor Davis whose shot on goal was very well blocked by Harry Wilson as the half-time whistle sounded with the score 1-05 to 0-04 in favour of Hollywood.
Thomas Burke entered the fray for Mick Murray’s charges for the restart. A PJ O’Keefe shot cannoned back out off the upright as Hollywood went in search of the opening score, again Tony Hannon pointed to keep An Tochar at arm’s length.
Two more wides by Hollywood were punished when Liam Kenna pointed in the 40th minute to leave four points in it.
Both sides were guilty of poor finishing as the game was there for the taking at this stage.
Hollywood introduced a couple off fresh legs to try and inject some pace into the game as the could not shake of An Tochar. Joe Glennon landed a point to close out the third quarter to leave it 1-07 to 0-05. Liam Kenna and Peter Byrne were battling hard for An Tochar.
Thomas Burke finally pointed in the 51st minute. Matthew Kelly played a beautiful weighted pass to Tony Hannon whose fisted effort was brilliantly saved by Peter O Toole out for a 45. An Tochar introduced a couple of subs with Bill Haligan coming on in the 49th minute and picking up a black card 33 seconds later to add to An Tochar’s woes.
The Roundwood men went in search of a goal but some class defending by Harry Wilson kept them at bay.
Conor Davis pointed in the 58th minute before PJ O’Keefe hit Hollywood’s ninth on the stroke of full-time.
Conor Davis closed out the scoring with a point in the 62nd minute as the final whistle sounded.
An Tochar go on to play DonardThe Glen in their final game and, while Hollywood will be delighted with their win, they will have to be seriously worried about their performance here.
Whether the massive pitch in Blessington was a factor as it seemed to be in the Donard game is up for debate but they seemed dead on their feet at times and will have to regroup for Carnew in their final group game in Baltinglass next week if they want to reach the semi-final stage unbeaten.
Scorers - Hollywood: Tony Hannon 0-05 (1f), Matthew Kelly 1-00, Joe Glennon 0-02, Thomas Burke 0-01, PJ O’Keefe 0-01.
An Tochar: Conor Davis 0-04 (2f), Graham Sutton 0-01, Eamon Wolohan 0-01, Liam Kenna 0-01.
Hollywood: Ian Burke; Keith Traynor, Harry Wilson, Eoin Burke; Conor Burke, Mikey Healy, Peadar Traynor; Cian Tyrrell, Robert Kelly; Joe Glennon, Ciaran Tyrrell, Steven Kearney; Matthew Kelly, Tony Hannon, PJ O’Keeffe. Subs: Thomas Burke (H/T), Gareth Bell (40min), Paul Kelly (45min), Kevin Glennon (51min).
An Tochar: Peter O’Toole; Noel Power, Gavin Kenny, David Molloy; Stephen Connor, Brendan Swords, Brendan Kennedy; Conor Short, Jamie Salley; Joe Gaffney, Liam Kenna, Peter Byrne; Graham Sutton, Conor Davis, Eamon Wolohan. Subs: Mark Keenan (37min), Stefan Collier (45min), Bill Haligan (49min), Luke Power (50min), Tom Kenna (57min).
Referee: Ciaran Fleming (Baltinglass)