Avoca in command

Winners march on to last four clash with Bray Emmets

AVOCA BALTINGLASS 0-20 0-9

SCORING 20 points in a game of championship football with 19 of those coming from play is a fair achievement and suggests that Avoca will take some stopping as they enter the last four of the Philip Doyle Junior ‘B’ Football Championship where they will take on Bray Emmets thanks to their dismantling of a disappointing Baltinglass side in Annacurra last Thursday evening.

However, they may have to plan for that semi-final without the services of corner-forward Adam Tuke who was dismissed on a straight red following a reckless challenge late in the game with the result beyond doubt which was really the only black mark on a very convincing win for the Rooster Park men.

Yet again a championship game of huge importance to both clubs was played without official linesmen as this lethargic approach to officiating continues across the county and it’s a testament to the sportsmanship and character of footballers and backroom teams that there have been no major issues to date due to this shortage of volunteers for games.

Avoca looked really impressive throughout this game.

Huge work has gone in since the start of the season and it certainly shows.

All over the field they look hungry for action, eager for responsibility and competent of playing to a plan.

That plan involves a two-man in- side line of Jason Porter and Adam Tuke with Martin Kenny operating out the field and a massive work rate from goalkeeper to the subs who are introduced.

Avoca led by 0-10 to 0-5 at the break with Baltinglass finding it difficult to deal with their movement up the field and the fine scoring from their forwards.

In that opening half, Baltinglass goalkeeper Patsy Keogh was called on twice to prevent Avoca from grabbing two majors from the boots of Adam Tuke and Martin Kenny while Jason orter registered four points, Martin Kenny two (one free), Andrew Doyle two, with singles coming from PJ Fluskey and the fleet of foot Tuke who was causing all sorts of problems for the Baltinglass defence.

Baltinglass will have felt that they failed to make the most of the possession they had in that opening half with five wides to their credit, but they had some decent showings from Paudie Swinburne who notched three points (one free), Jamie McTiernan and Ross Nolan who both addded a point each.

The west side would try numerous switches over the hour such as moving Jamie McTiernan out to midfield and bringing Wesley Balfe in to the edge of the square, but they were under pressure for most of the second half.

A really impressive third quarter saw Avoca push out to a 0-17 to 0-7 lead through points from Fluskey (2), Porter, Andrew Doyle (2), Martin Kenny and Dean Power with Baltinglass replying through Wesley Balfe and Derek Nolan.

But Avoca just had too much firepower and determination for Baltinglass on this occasion and they finished out strong with two white flags raised by Dean Power who was moved to full-forward and a wicked score from substitute Johnny Arthur to finish off a superb evening for the Avoca men who will be very disappointed with the red card picked up by Adam Tuke but relieved that midfielder Patrick Kennedy didn’t see the same colour for a dangerous challenge on a Baltinglass player that earned him a yellow and a swift substitution.

Avoca mean business this year. They’ve put in the effort but they’ll need to temper that unbridled passion and desire with a small measure of maturity to make that step up to Junior A.

Scorers – Avoca: Jason Porter 0-5, Andrew Doyle 0-4, Martin Kenny 0-3 (1f), PJ Fluskey 0-3, Dean Power 0-3, Adam Tuke 0-1, Johnny Arthur 0-1.

Baltinglass: Paudie Swinburne 0-4 (1f), Jamie McTiernan 0-1, Ross Nolan 0-1, Wesley Balfe 0-1, Derek Nolan 0-1, John Gilespie 0-1.

John Harper; Anthony Doran, Robert Wilson, Colin O’Connor; Aaron Tuke, Mikey Fahy, Stephen McCauley; Dean Power, Patrick Kennedy; Colin Doran, PJ Fluskey, Andrew Doyle; Adam Tuke, Martin Kenny, Jason Porter. Subs: Chris Arthur for C Doran (30min), Johnny Arthur for J Porter (55min), Brian Canavan for Patrick Kennedy (58min).

Patsy Keogh; Martin Donegan, John Hennessy, Peter Gethings; Kevin Wall, Eoghan Sweeney, David Whelan; Wesley Balfe, John Gillespie; William Langrey, Ross Nolan, Paddy Kelly; Derek Nolan, Jamie McTiernan, Paudie Swinburne. Subs: Kevin O’Toole for W Langrey (34min), Ciaran Germaine for W Balfe (45min), William Leigh (49min), Chris Havans for P Kelly (54min), Wesley Balfe for K O’Toole.

Brendan Furlong (Tinahely)