Big win for Donard
DONARD-THE GLEN BARNDARRIG 2-20 2-6
DONARD-THE GLEN got their second win on the bounce to put themselves in good shape going forward in the Junior ‘C’ Championship as they defeated Barndarrig away from home.
Donard defeated Blessington by four points last time out, also away from home, whereas Barndarrig narrowly lost out to Kilcoole by a goal.
The travelling side seemed to be up against after just one minute as Barndarrig hit the net. Eoin Brennan finished off a good move involving Declan Kavanagh and Brian Walsh.
Barndarrig actually started well with Walsh claiming a lot of balls in the air.
Donard levelled it up soon after with three good scores, two from Tommy Dwyer and another added by Shane Eager.
They took a lot of opportunities throughout the game, although Barndarrig were blocking well early on particularly from full back Ian Bradshaw.
Tommy Dwyer was causing a lot of panic for the oppositions defence with his quick nifty feet and picking out team mates off his trusty left peg.
The game was end to end for the opening stages with the hosts leading by a point midway through the half.
Des Mann levelled it before the first blow for Barndarrig as goalkeeper Mannus Quinn was beaten at his near post by a good low driven finish by Nicky Donovan.
Wing back Malachy Stone stood out for Barndarrig in the first half, not only for his bright orange boots, but for his bombing forward and skill to pick out a team mate in space.
Des Mann put over a couple of nice points to extend the Glen’s lead, as they rarely wasted a chance when in good positions.
Scorer of Barndarrig’s goal, Eoin Brennan, had a chance to bag a three pointer but fired wide. This would have reduced the deficit to a point.
After the tenth minute of the clash, Barndarrig didn’t register a score, although fired 5 wides in the process.
Mannus Quinn in the home goal was very composed and caught many balls that came his way.
The scores were 1-8 to 1-2 at the break although it was a closer half than the scores showed.
With Barndarrig more than holding their own, they just struggled to keep up with the pace of the Donard forwards.
There was also a large gulf in terms of finishing.
Barndarrig did finally get their score four minutes into the second half, Brennan pointing to add to his earlier goal.
They did manage to reduce the gap to four after another Brennan point but were tagged back immediately as Mann and Dwyer added to previous scores.
Donard did begin the half slowly but grew into it and excelled later in the half, showing off their accurate shooting.
There were many rough tackles going in, typical of a Junior ‘C’ encounter, but referee Robert Roche did a good job in controlling affairs.
The visitors began to pull away and extended their lead to 11.
Fitness was the main difference in the end result as Donard powered up the field on many occasions later in the second period.
Barndarrig struggled to get forward as Donard picked up most loose balls, and the home sides struggled to create decent moves.
Nicky Donovan pushed on late in the game, scoring a couple of middle distance scores to help his side strive.
Donovan scored his second goal of the bout to rub salt into Barndarrig’s wounds. He blocked down an attempted clearance from goalkeeper Mannus Quinn, who was put under lots of pressure. The ball eventually ended up in the back of the net.
Scorers: Donard The Glen – Nicky Donovan 2-3; Des Mann 0-6 (3f); Tommy Dwyer 0-3; James Eager 0-3; Gavin Walshe 0-2; Shane Eager 0-1; Darren O Neill 0-1; Eddie Flynn 0-1.
Barndarrig – Eoin Brennan 1-3 (1f); Alan Doyle 0-2; Malachy Stone 0-1.
Enda Walshe; Gavin Walshe, Colm Toomey, Ronan Conran; Gerard Daly, Joseph White, Shane Eager; Pat Flynn, Rory Toomey; Nicky Donovan, Tommy Dwyer, Darren O Neill; Des Mann, Eddie Flynn, James Eager.
Mannus Quinn; Alan Doyle, Ian Bradshaw, John Twomey; Malachy Stone, Andy Reilly, Aaron Jackson; Ronan Clarke, Tom Doyle; Richie Murray, Brian Walsh, Stephen Cullen; Noel Browne, Declan Kavanagh, Eoin Brennan.
Robert Roche