Horan’s fist of doom secures vital victory!

Annacurra defeat Éire Óg

ANNACURRA ÉIRE ÓG 1-10 0-12

A fisted point from centre forward Clive Horan two minutes from time rescued the points for Annacurra in a well contested Division 1 league game, which looked to be heading for a draw in the closing stages.

The pitch in Annacurra was in a reasonably firm condition, following a heavy night’s rain on Saturday night, for this Sunday morning clash.

The visitors Éire Óg were very lively in the early stages with overlapping wing backs Fintan O’Shea and Stephen Kelly prominent in their early attacks.

O’Shea went on to have a major influence on the game and in fact got Éire Óg on the board with a point after four minutes.

Annacurra were struggling a little in those early stages but mid fielder Martin O’Brien levelled matters with a fine point from play after six minutes.

Éire Óg continued their dominance and centre forward Darren Hayden with two points (one from free) had the visitors ahead by 0-3 to 0-1 at the quarter hour stage. Alan Byrne, who had lined out at full back for Annacurra moved forward up field and set up Gearoid Murphy for a second home point.

Two further Éire Óg points from midfielder Anto Byrne and half back Stephen Kelly had their side ahead by 0-5 to 0-2 by 20 minutes.

Annacurra came more into the game from here until half-time with Alan Byrne, who was now playing at wing back, helping to put more pressure on the visitor’s defence.

Two pointed frees from Clive Horan’s trusty left foot plus another from play by Gearoid Murphy left the sides level at half-time at 0-5 a piece.

Éire Óg might have been disappointed, given the amount of play they enjoyed for much of this first period but they failed to reflect that on the scoreboard.

Annacurra began the second half strongly and Gearoid Murphy had them ahead with a point after two minutes.

When Frank Clune scored a fine left footed goal three minutes later it put the home side four points ahead.

Éire Óg now had a battle on their hands but they came back strongly.

Two pointed frees by Darren Hayden and another from play by substitute Dan Keane had the gap to the minimum after 11 minutes.

The home side went back ahead with a point from Ian McDonald (it could have been a goal) and another from Frank Clune.

Again Éire Óg came back and points from another Darren Hayden free plus two more from Fintan O’Shea and Cian O’Flaherty had the game all square on 20 minutes.

Gearoid Murphy put the homesters back ahead with a point from play but Darren Hayden pointed another free to level matters once again.

When Bob Fitzgerald got his hand to what should have been the lead point for Éire Óg to deflect the ball for a 45, goalie Billie Norman came up to take the shot. His first effort was low and ended with another 45. His second effort went left and wide.

With the result looking to be a likely draw, Annacurra attacked again.

Frank Clune and Gearoid Murphy had chances but failed to get in a shot. The ball came to Liam Moules who laid off to Clive Horan.

The centre forward immediately fisted high between the posts for what was to prove to be the winning score. Final score 1-10 to 0-12.

Scorers - Annacurra: Frank Clune 1-1, Gearoid Murphy 0-4, Clive Horan 0-3, Martin O’Brien 0-1, Ian McDonald 0-1. Eire Og: Darren Hayden 0-6, Fintan O’Shea 0-2, Anto Byrne, Stephan Kelly, Dan Keane and Cian O’Flaherty 0-1 each.

Bob Fitzgerald; Glen Austin, Alan Byrne, Shane McAllister, James Keenan, Paul Mc Donald, Niall Murphy; Martin O’Brien, Mick O’Brien; Gearoid Murphy, Clive Horan, Colm Maher; Shane O’Keeffe, Frank Clune, Ian McDonald. Subs: Ciaran Byrne and Liam Moules.

Billy Norman; Liam Maguire, Dominic O’Brien, Peter Keane; Fintan O’Shea, Craig Smullen, Stephan Kelly; Anto Byrne, Pearse Kelly; Jamie McDonald, Darren Hayden, Dara Sheils; Cian O’Flaherty, Billy Cuddity, James Cranley. Subs: Sean Lawless and Dan Keane.

Kieron Kenny.