An Tochar too strong for battling Knockananna
AN TOCHAR KNOCKANANNA 3-16 1-8
AN TÓCHAR showed why they are one of the favourites to claim the Junior ‘A’ Football Championship as they secured their place in the semi-finals with a dominating win over Knockananna in Pearse’s Park, despite Knockananna’s spirited performance at the beginning of both halves. An Tóchar will now face Valleymount in the last four in what is sure to be a mouth-watering clash.
This game was always set to be a one-sided affair but Knockananna did show that they wouldn’t go down without a fight as they did manage to get to within four of their opponents before two late goals from substitute Liam Gaffney killed the game off.
Brendan Swords got the first of his nine scores to open the scoring, before Kevin Tyrrell got the first of his magnificent seven to level it. Knockananna were under the cosh early on but An Tóchar’s accurate shooting was left in the dressing room as three poor wides left them reeling. Tom Kenna and Swords added points to pull their lead out to three.
But eleven minutes in, Knockananna hit the back of the net through full-forward Reid Byrne. He beat full-back Jamie Salley for pace, before his first attempt was blocked by Peter Byrne but the ball slipped under him, leaving Byrne to finish into an empty net. This made it a level game.
But the joy was short lived, as the Roundwood side went down to other end and got a goal of their own. They broke quickly up the field, Brendan Kennedy linked up well with Eamonn Wolohan who fired the ball under Sean Canna into the bottom corner. Knockananna were not lacking drive and courage but Swords and an exceptional point from Conor Davis added to the scoreline.
An Tóchar were showing good movement off the ball, showing that they are definitely capable of playing at at least Intermediate level. They always looked likely to post scores when they drove forward in numbers. Knockananna were holding their own in the early stages, with Reid Byrne looking dangerous when in possession, and Garry Bradley was commanding in the air.
But later in the half Knockananna faded away as An Tóchar were simply quicker off the mark. With Brendan Swords so accurate from a dead ball and the presences of Tom Kenna and Brendan Kennedy up top, they pulled away to an eight-point lead when referee Christy O’Rourke blew his halftime whistle.
Knockananna probably needed the half-time break as they came out quick in the second half. Kevin Tyrrell knocked over two good scores before he traded scores with Swords. Reid Byrne continued to be effective as he came short several times to collect the loose ball. Knockananna were keeping within touching distance as they managed to get to within four points, Tyrrell again and Joseph Byrne pointing. An Tóchar’s attacking display in the opening ten of the second half with four consecutive wides and wasting chances.
But that was pretty much that as far as a Knockananna comeback was concerned as An Tóchar powered home in the end. Substitute Liam Gaffney got the first of his goals on 48 minutes, a minute after his introduction. He broke well away from the leggy Knockananna defence to finish past Canna.
This was the killer blow for Knockananna as any chance of a revival was crushed. Stefan Collier added a point to his good performance in midfield. Another effective performance came from Tom Kenna who has been consistent throughout the championship.
An Tóchar rubbed more salt into the wounds of the Knockananna outfit with a third goal. A poor mistake in defence left Liam Gaffney in the clear to again finish past Sean Canna.
A 14-point victory for the Roundwood side, who will face tougher opposition in Valleymount in the semi-finals, but only a very good side will stop them in their tracks in a bid for the crown.
Final Score: An Tóchar 3-16, Knockananna 1-8
Scorers - An Tóchar: Brendan Swords 0-9 (6f); Liam Gaffney 2-0; Eamonn Wolohan 1-0; Conor Da- vis 0-2; Tom Kenna 0-2; Graham Sutton 0-1; Brendan Kennedy 0-1; Stefan Collier 0-1.
Knockananna: Kevin Tyrrell 0-7 (5f); Reid Byrne 1-0; Joseph Byrne 0-1.
Peter Byrne; Stephen Connor, Jamie Salley, Noel Power; Conor Short, Colm O’Brien, Joe Gaffney; Stefan Collier, Conor Davis; Eamonn Wolohan, Brendan Swords, William Halligan; Graham Sutton, Tom Kenna, Brendan Kennedy. Subs: Eoghan Marah for Salley (40 mins); Liam Gaffney for Halligan (47 mins); David Kavanagh for Sutton (49 mins); Mark Keenan for Wolohan (55 mins); John Kavanagh for J Gaffney (58 mins); Luke Power for N Power (60 mins)
Sean Canna; Brian Lawrence, Arron O Neill, Patrick O’Keeffe; Declan Whelan, Garry Bradley, Noel Byrne; Padraig Lancaster, Tristan Maher; Edward Bracken, Declan O’Keeffe, Joseph Byrne; Anthony Tracey, Reid Byrne, Kevin Tyrrell.
Christy O’Rourke