Lannleire book last four place after a thriller
A WHIRLWIND start to the second half paved the way for Lannleire’s victory over the Westerns as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the Anglo Printer Junior Championship.
In perfect conditions in Drogheda this match proved to be a real barnstormer, with both sides throwing caution to the wind and attacking each other at will. But it was Lannleire’s quick start to the second half where they scored 1-3 without reply which decided this game, despite a late rally from the Westerns.
Lannleire took an early lead with a couple of scores from Bob Murphy, who proved to be a constant thorn in the side to the Westerns throughout the game. Midfielder Anthony Durnin got the Westerns up and running with a well taken point before Conor Kerr put the Reaghstown in front for the first time with a clinical finish following an excellent surge forward from Tommy Durnin.
Both sides traded points before the Westerns once more found holes in Lannleire’s defence to score their second goal after twelve minutes.
Again Durnin was at the heart of the move, striding forward before releasing the perfect pass to Dermot Caraher.
Caraher’s shot was well saved by Lannleire keeper John King but he was powerless to stop the rebound going in, with Johnny Lynch in the right place to put the ball into the back of the net.
Lannleire Westerns 3-12 2-12
Lannleire midfielder scored the point of the match in response as he slalomed around five Westerns players before slotting the ball over the bar. That point seemed to lift Lannleire who scored a fine goal shortly afterwards, with Mulroy the architect this time. He put Murphy through on goal and the corner forward finished expertly with the outside of his right boot to reduce the Westerns lead to two points.
A couple of Tommy Durnin points extended the Westerns lead once again, but once more Lannleire responded, with the lively Bob Murphy reacting quickly to put the ball into the back of the net after Liam Callan’s free had hit the post.
Two more points from intercounty star Tommy Durnin edged the Westerns clear once again, but Lannleire levelled things up at 2-7 apiece at the conclusion of a breathless first half thanks to a couple of scores from Niall Lennon.
Lannleire came out for the second half with all guns blazing, scoring 1-3 without reply, with Bob Murphy scoring his second goal of the game.
That blitz put the Dunleer side five points clear and they kept that lead until the final minutes when Trevor Baylon and Tommy Durnin’s sixth point of the day reduced the deficit to just a goal.
The Westerns threw the influential Durnin up into full forward for the final five minutes, but despite some late pressure they just couldn’t find a way past a resolute Lannleire defence and ultimately it was John O’Connor’s side who deservedly held firm to progress to the semi-finals.
LANNLEIRE: John King; Paul McGeough, Bob Murphy 2-2, Paul Doyle 0-1 (f); Michael O’Hare, Brian McGuinness, Jason Torris; Andrew Dowd, Ian Mulroy 0-1; Brendan McEvoy, Niall Lennon 0-3, Liam Callan 0-1; Colin Murphy 1-2, Paul Callan 0-1, Alan Murphy. Subs: Garry Monaghan for Niall Lennon, Conall Maher 0-1 for Liam Callan WESTERNS: Peter Shields, Michael Martin, James Ward, PJ Marron; Colin Martin, Stephen Boylan, Sean McGuinness; Thomas Durnin 0-6 (2f), Anthony Durnin 0-3, Terence Sweeney, Trevor Baylon 0-3, Ciaran Scriven; Johnny Lynch 1-0, Dermot Caraher, Conor Kerr 1-0. Subs: Niall Moynagh for PJ Marron, Ciaran Campbell for Dermot Caraher, Andrew Kerr for Terence Sweeney, Andrew Murray for Colin Martin.