M.O.T.M

Several potential candidates for the Man of the Match award from this clash.

There’s little doubt had Billy Norman stayed on the field that he may well have stamped his name all over it but his early dismissal ruined any chance of that, unfortunately.

Key for Éire Óg was the indefatigable Darren Hayden at half-forward. The county man worked his socks off up and down the field and chipped in some really important scores.

Stephen Kelly didn’t dominate but he defended very cleverly at times and was very important as was Peter Keane and Leon Browne.

Sean Lawless and Craig Smullen put in excellent shifts and Daniel Keane was superb throughout.

For Baltinglass, Kevin Murphy was a major player at times, Jason Kennedy does what Jason Kennedy does best: work himself to a standstill.

Sean O’Brien sniped, Ian Sheerin impressed as did Conor Keogh but it was Dan Kelly at centre-half forward who did enough to merit the award from this writer. His four-point haul was huge given the context and nature of the game and expect him to have a major bearing on the replay.