Coolboy power to win against Shillelagh men

CELTIC CHALLENGE, DIVISION 3 AND DIVISION 1A

COOLBOY SHILLELAGH 2-17 2-4

COOLBOY sauntered to victory over a depleted Shillelagh side in their Division 3 clash in Coolafancy last Tuesday evening.

Missing the likes of Brendan Behan left the Shillelagh attack less potent than it might have been but their cause was not helped when centre back Daire Foley was sent off by referee Stephen Fagan for a challenge on Adam Barnes late in the first half when they trailed the home side by 0-9 to 2-0 and still very much in the contest.

The Shillelagh sideline were outraged by the decision and with a man down they faced a mountain to climb for the remainder of the game, but they will take hope from a reasonable finish that saw them score three unanswered points to close out the game.

Shillelagh enjoyed a lightening start with two goals early on, but they were pegged back by a more clinical Coolboy outfit with Wayne Kinsella looking sharp from frees and open play and PJ Mulhall and Adam Barnes showing nicely at times.

The home side led by 1-10 to 2-0 at the break and drove on strong after the restart with points from Dan Nolan, Wayne Kinsella, Adam Barnes and a Wayne Kinsella free before Adam Barnes was dispatched for a dangerous tackle by referee Fagan with 16 gone in the second half.

Shillelagh got their first point of the game after 17 minutes of the second half to make it 1-14 to 2-1 but the game was well and truly over after PJ Mulhall bagged a quick 1-1, the goal punched home after good work from the impressive PJ O’Keeffe.

Shillelagh responded well with points from David Whelan (free), Francis Byrne after good work from the impressive Ger O’Brien, and a fine effort from midfielder Paddy Hennessey but it was purely decorative and the final whistled confirmed a 2-17 to 2-4 victory for Coolboy.

Expect their championship clash later in the year to have a very different tally at the final whistle.

Scorers – Coolboy: Wayne Kinsella 0-7, PJ Mulhall 1-3, Adam Barnes 0-2, Johnny Willoughby 1-1, Bradley Walsh 0-2, Dan Nolan 0-1, Damien O’Keeffe 0-1.

Shillelagh: David Whelan 1-1, Daniel Behan 1-0, Francis Byrne 0-1, Paddy Hennessey 0-1, Ger O’Brien 0-1.

Gavin O’Brien; James Gregan, Anthony Holly, Enda Gethings; Garret Gregan, Dan Nolan, Adam Barnes; Wayne Kinsella, PJ O’Keeffe; Damien O’Keeffe, PJ Mulhall, Bradley Walsh; Johnny Willoughby, Michael Gregan, Niall O’Keeffe. Sub: Adam Doyle for J Willoughby.

Laurie Cullen; Cian Doyle, Sean Carroll, Enda Foley; Keith Collins, Daire Foley, Ger O’Brien; Paddy Hennessey, Cathal Murphy; John Paul Lyons, Noel Murphy, Robbie Elliot; Francis Byrne, David Whelan, Daniel Behan. Sub: Owen Byrne for John Paul Lyons.

Stephen Fagan