Naomh Eoin emerge after a cracking game

UNDER-20 ‘B’ FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS

NAOMH EOIN MICHAEL DWYERS 2-15 2-14

THE meeting of Noamh Eoin and Michael Dwyers proved to be a historic occasion as the west Wicklow side made the trip to Kilmacurra to play a combination oufit of Barndarrig and Avoca in what was an excellent location on a sun-drenched pitch on the third week in November.

For the first time in a number of years the Under 20 footballl championship was run and no doubt the competition has being a great benefit especially for the small clubs as the winners has proved

Naomh Eoin laid down a marker in the first quarter as they took the game to their opponents from the start which saw they dominate in every sector of the park which saw the west Wicklow outfit playing second fiddle to the home side,

Naomh Eoin midfielder Jacques McCall found the range with a point from play to get things up and running before Patrick Redmond scoring the first of his three points with the play.

Sean Leonard and McCall added a point each soon after to leave Naomh Eoin leading by 0-4 to 0-0 after 12 minutes.

The new boys on the block showed they were well up for the occasion as they contined to use the wide open spaces and played some delightful football and were given a boost when Malachy Stone split the visitors defence to score the opening goal which inspired his team mates as the winners went on to add four more points to give them a commanding lead of 1-8 to Colm Keogh’s single point after 18 minutes.

A stunning revival saw Dwyers claw their way back into contention through three points from Aaron Byrne (one free), three from Ross Coogan (three frees), a sweet goal from Ian Moore and a point from Padraig O’Toole to leave the halftime score reading an unlikely 1-9 to 1-8 in favour of the home side.

Two fine scores from Andy Doyle increased the Naomh Eoin lead but it was back a one-point game at the end of the third quarter thanks to scores from Ian Moore, Ross Coogan (free) and Padraig O’Toole to make it 1-12 to 1-11 for the home side.

Richard Sheane and Aaron Byrne exchanged points before Mark Murphy slotted over to level the game for the first time since the start at 1-13 apiece.

Some bad wides would ultimately cost Dwyers dear and things looked bleak when Malachy Stone grabbed his second goal while Adam Wynne and Patrick Redmond exchanged points to leave it 2-15 to 1-14.

One last effort by Dwyers resulted in a penalty which full-forward Ross Coogan slotted home but time ran out which gave Naomh Eoin a slender and deserved victory who laid the foundation for the win in the first quarter.

Naomh Eoin now march on to the semi-final of the ‘B’ competition.

Both clubs deserve credit for the commitment and sportsmanship they displayed during the hour, with football being the real winner, and as gesture of goodwill, Michael Dwyers had only 14 players on duty and the Naomh Eoin selectors agreed to play 14-a-side. Fair play!

Scorers - Naomh Eoin: Malachy Stone 2-2, Patrick Redmond 0-3, Andy Doyle 0-4, Jacques McCall 0-2, Sean Leonard 0-2, Stephen Cullen 0-1, Michael Eoin Byrne 0-1.

Michael Dwyers: Ross Coogan 1-2 (p), Ian Moore 1-2, Aaron Byrne 0-3, Padraig O’Toole 0-2, Bryan Kearney 0-1, Colm Keogh 0-1, Ian Moore 0-1, Adam Wynne 0-1, Mark Murray 0-1.