Strong finish from Carnew
ST PATRICK’S CARNEW EMMETS 1-13 0-23
A bout of shadow boxing beside the sea saw Carnew Emmets head home the happier when they finished strongly to defeat St Pat’s in the Senior hurling league by 0-23 to 1-13 last Saturday evening.
Little can be read into the game in terms of what will unfold later in the year, but one thing that can be guaranteed is that when these two meet again there will be plenty of spark both on the field and on the sidelines. First thing to say is that St Pat’s were without Andy O’Brien. They are certainly not a one-man show but any team who loses out on the attacking threat that Andy O’Brien brings will certainly feel that absence.
Both sides were trying things in their line ups. Colm Byrne was in goals for Pat’s with the injured Eoghan O’Mahony acting as umpire. Ted Kennedy started the game in goals for Carnew with Bob Fitzgerald being called into action for the second half.
John Walshe proved very capable at full-back for Carnew, while in the first half John Connors was simply superb, cleaning up at the back and bombing over two fantastic scores as well.
Pat’s were missing the likes of Christy Moorehouse and Terry Healy as well, while Carnew were looking at Cormac Doyle in the half-forward line and Graham Keogh as full-forward.
In many ways this was a game of two halves. Pat’s lead Carnew at the break by 1-9 to 0-9, the goal coming from full-forward James ‘Bonner’ O’Brien after Ted Kennedy failed to deal with a high ball.
Carnew took a time to find their feet. John Connors opened the scoring with a missile from a free way up the field and this was followed by a lovely point from George ‘Bee’ O’Brien who was stationed at corner-forward.
Carnew’s Jack Doyle put in a quality shift in the middle of the field and he opened the account for James Hickey’s side when he lashed over from distance.
Enda Donohue was on free-taking duties for Carnew and although he missed his first and third efforts he would go on to have a stunning day from placed balls, bagging 15 points from frees, 16 in all. Another way of looking at it is that Pat’s were found guilty of fouling by referee Eugene Doherty and manager Michael Neary and many of the backroom team were left in a very frustrated state at the end of the 60 minutes.
O’Brien’s goal on 13 minutes made it 1-4 to 0-3 for Pat’s and another George ‘Bee’ O’Brien point increased that tally to 1-5.
It was nip and tuck from here on in for the reminder of the opening half with John Connors’ second point and a fine score from full-forward Graham Keogh after making up significant ground to block around midfield before gathering and sweeping over a lovely score being the highlights.
The second half belonged to Carnew. Pat’s seemed to tire, and they became increasingly frustrated with the decisions being made by Eugene Doherty. Michael Neary’s side would only score four points in the second half compared to Carnew’s 14, 10 from Enda Donohue, nine frees, with the referee ordering the Pat’s manager from the field of play on two occasions.
James Hickey will probably be the happier of the two managers. Michael Neary will know that with Andy O’Brien back in the starting 15 and some more hurling under their belts his men will be a match for anyone in the county. Carnew are showing signs of improvement. They’ll need more scores from open play, though. A more disciplined defence will have them in all sorts of bother.
Scorers – Carnew Emmets: Enda Donohue 0-16 (15f), Wayne Kinsella 0-2, Jack Doyle 0-2, Graham Keogh 0-1, Cormac Doyle 0-1, Paudi McGing 0-1.
St Patrick’s: James ‘Jimzer’ O’Brien 0-5 (2f), John Connors 0-2 (2f), George ‘Bee’ O’Brien 0-3, Chris Kavanagh 0-1, James ‘Bonner’ O’Brien 1-0, Shane Murley 0-1, Gerry Connors 0-1.
Ted Kennedy; Aaron Kinsella, John Walshe, Mark Collins; Martin O’Brien, Conal McCrea, John Doyle; Wayne Kinsella, Jack Doyle; Cormac Doyle, Enda Donohue, Pádraig Doran; Drew Brennan, Graham Keogh, Timmy Collins. Subs: Paudi McGing for D Brennan, Thomas Kennedy for T Collins, Michael Collins for G Keogh.
Colm Byrne; Andrew Conway, John Connors, George O’Brien; Michael Connors, Shane Doyle, Eddie Kelly; Shane Murley, Dale Quinn; Chris Kavanagh, Gerry Connors, Ricky Quinn; James ‘Jimzer’ O’Brien, James ‘Bonner’ O’Brien, George ‘Bee’ O’Brien. Subs: George O’Brien for R Quinn, John O’Brien for M Connors. George ‘Boo’ O’Brien for Dale Quinn Eugene Doherty.