Carnew see off spirited Valleymount to claim summit

James Hickey’s magic continues to be worked within the Carnew Emmets squad with the Wexford border side sitting on top of Division 2 this week thanks to a narrow victory over visiting Valleymount on Saturday evening.

The home side started brightly in this clash with Brendan McCreza notching the opening three points from the full-forward position, promtping the Valleymount management to make a switch to negate his prominent influence on proceedings.

Valleymount don’t do surrenders and were soon back in the mix thanks to two goals, the first a ripper from midfielder William Kavanagh and the second an opportunistic major from Declan Cahill after a nightmarish mistake in the Carnew full-back line.

The visitors led by 2-1 to 0-5 at the break with Brendan McCrea firing wide from a penalty just before half-time.

Whatever the ‘Legend’ said in the dressing rooms had the desired effect because the Carnew men emerged inspired and they drew level thanks to an outstanding point from corner-forward John Kavanagh after 14 minutes of the second half, Carnew 0-9, Valleymount 2-3.

It was nip and tuck all the way from there to the end.

Niall Osborne lifted the home team and support with a superb effort from distance to level matters again after Brian Miley and Glen Cullen had fired Valleymount ahead again.

The last word in the game went to Enda Donohue who romped through a gap in the Valleymount half-back line and drilled over a beauty of a point to secure victory for the Carnew men.

Ballinacor’s steady progress continued when they recorded a one-point win away to improving Newtown.

The Magpies lost their unbeaten record in the league with this defeat and came undone against a very decent and intelligent Ballinacor side while short of several key players.

Ballinacor will welcome Ballymanus to Glenmalure for their next encounter on Sunday, April 15, while Newtown will face the very tricky job of travelling to Valleymount to do battle with the home side on the previous evening.

After a stuttering start to the League, Ashford finally got a win in their fourth match, against Stratford on a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-09.

The Ashford lads hung on for an important morale-boosting win in a close and tense finish. The win comes at a cost however with the loss of Brian Coen to a broken collarbone.

For Stratford-Grangecon, every player gave their all, Patrick Cronin had some great saves and went on a few long solos, Joe O’Neill, Marcus Hanbidge and Paddy Walsh were very prominent, Ian Moore, Jordon Lawrence were very steady in the half backs and Michael Mangan and Matt Manley were holding their own in the mid field area. Colin Byrne and Eric Fenlon in the forwards put their shoulders to the wheel when the team needed them most.

Laragh enjoyed a very healthy victory over a depleted Barndarrig outfit on Saturday evening in Laragh. This was a game both sides badly needed to win.

Both teams started the game well and after 10 minutes the score was level at three points each.

Laragh then started to win a lot ball all over the pitch and punished Barndarrig with 1-5 before half time. Eric Olohan getting the goal. Half-time score: 1-08 to 0-05.

Barndarrig were struggling after been reduced to 14 men with the sending off of Michael Murphy just before half-time whistle.

Inside the first 10 minutes in the second half the game was decided when Laragh bagged 2-2, two cracking goals from Damien Hanlon.

Knockananna’s woes were compounded with the visit of Donard-The Glen last Sunday morning. With only 13 players available, Pat Lambe’s side were always going to struggle and the Donard-the Glen side cantered to victory.