Glenealy continue on their winning way!
Magic year continues as Intermediates clinch the title
GLENEALY 2-10 CARNEW EMMETS 1-11
GLENEALY led their opponents by five points as this game entered added time in the second half and when Martin Molloy gained possession and cut through to score Carnew Emmets’s only goal, we looked like having a grandstand finish.
However, Glenealy gained possession from the puck out and were on the attack when the final whistle sounded after four minutes. Glenealy were deserving winners but it was tight at the end.
The Intermediate hurling championship final was played at Pearse’s Park, Arklow, on Sunday last in reasonable conditions for late October.
The heavy rain over the previous few days left the sod a bit heavy but conditions were dry, with a slight breeze favouring Carnew Emmets in the first half, playing into the town goal.
Both sets of defenders were dominant in the opening half, with scoring opportunities being kept to the minimum.
Full-forward Billy Rickerby put Carnew on the scoreboard in the first minute but Alan Conyard levelled from a free three minutes later.
Wing back Niall Osbourne put Carnew back ahead but Conyard made a great catch from a long clearance, turned and shot over the equaliser again after 11 minutes.
Both half-back lines were on top for most of the first half with Graham Keogh being very effective for the Emmets at centre-back.
Alan Conyard pointed Glenealy into the lead from a free which had been moved forward for dissent.
Don Hyland had the sides level at 0-3 apiece after 25 minutes.
With two minutes of the half left, Glenealy got the sort of break that can win finals.
Alan Conyard did not connect properly with a scorable free and the ball was batted down in the goalmouth.
In a flash, Wayne O’Gorman had the ball in the net for his side’s and the games first goal.
1-3 to 0-3 at this stage but Don Hyland reduced the arrears to the minimum with two points in extra time (six minutes in this half). Halftime score stood at 1-3 to 0-5 in favour of Glenealy.
Glenealy lost full-back and captain Michael A. O’Neill to a shoulder injury coming up to half-time.
They moved Matthew Traynor to full-back and brought midfielder Ronan Manley to wing back.
Both players had excellent second periods. Alan Conyard added three points (one from a 65) in the first five minutes of the second half.
Ian Clancy responded with two points from play and Don Hyland added another from a free.
In the 10th minute Glenealy registered their second goal. Paul O’Brien soloed through and sent a great shot to Ted Kennedy’s left. Ted was equal to the task and brought off a fine save.
However, the in rushing Garry Hughes finished the rebound to put Glenealy ahead by 2-6 to 0-8.
From here on the Glenealy side were gaining in confidence and Carnew were in a battle to save the game.
But battle they did. Points from sub Jody Byrne and Ian Clancy from a free left two points between the sides with nine minutes still to play.
However, Glenealy had a good spell from now to the end of normal time.
Paul O’Brien had a point from play, Alan Conyard pointed a long free from out near the sideline and Ronan Manley scored a great point from the opposite side.
When Wayne O’Gorman pointed with two minutes left the score stood at 2-10 to 0-10.
However, Don Hyland pointed a free as the game entered added time. When Martin Molloy scored his side’s goal, Glenealy nerves were tested.
However, they hung on to deservedly capture the Sean O’Farrell Cup on a winning scoreline of 2-10 to 1-11.
Wicklow GAA County Chairman Martin Coleman presented the cup the winning captain Michael A. O’Neill.
Scorers - Glenealy: Alan Conyard 0-7, Wayne O’Gorman 1-1, Garry Hughes1-0, Paul O’Brien 0-1 and Ronan Manley 0-1.
Carnew Emmets: Don Hyland 0-5, Ian Clancy 0-3, Martin Molloy 1-0, Niall Osbourne 0-1, Billy Rickerby 0-1, Jody Byrne 0-1.
Glenealy: Cormac Geraghty; Colm O’Neill, M.A. O’Neill, Stephan O’Brien; Matthew Traynor, Declan Conyard, Tony Doyle; Paul O’Brien, Ronan Manley; Eoin O’Neill, Aaron Meade, Shane Keogh; Alan Conyard, Wayne O’Gorman, Garry Hughes. Subs: Stephan Coady for MA O’Neill, Brendan Hawes for Aaron Meade, Ryan Devlin for Eoin O’Neill, Glenn O’Gorman for Garry Hughes, Robbie Keogh for Shane Keogh.
Carnew Emmets: Ted Kennedy; Adrian Myers, Paul Nolan, John Walsh; Niall Osborne, Graham Keogh, Enda Foley; Justin House, Dara Foley; Joe Hughes, Don Hyland, Nick Skelton; Ian Clancy, Billy Rickerby, Cormac Doyle. Subs; Martin Molloy for Cormac Doyle, TJ Hennessy for Billy Rickerby, Garry Doran for TJ Hennessy.
Referee: Eddie Leonard (St. Pat
rick’s)