Drogheda Independent

Woods raises the Barr again in one-sided clash

3-16 1-7

- James Costello challenges Niall McKeown.

But the Collon men looked in real trouble when Sean Marry converted a brace of frees to make it 0-7 to 0-3 after the break, before losing James Caraher to a second yellow card on 42 minutes.

But while the sending-off appeared to be the final nail in Mattock’s coffin, it actually sparked the Collon men to life, and seemed to prompt a what-we-have-we-hold response from St Bride’s, who dropped very deep in the final 20 minutes.

As Mattock pressed points from David Reid, Alan Caraher, Ronan Kilbane and Terry Donegan, prompted just one in reply from James Costello, closing the gap to the minimum, 0-8 to 0-7.

Ciaran Deane restored a twopoint gap, but a super effort from Adrian reid, followed by another free from his brother, David, levelled it up at 0-9 apiece with two minutes left on the clock.

A controvers­ial Conor Deane point was eventually awarded after Thomas Brennan had consulted with his umpires, one of whom had signalled a point and the other a wide.

With no Hawkeye to adjudicate­d, that would have been rough justice on Mattock as they were adamant it was wide, but they were back on terms moments later in any event as Kilbane fired over his second point of the match.

Both sides had chances to win it as Aaron O’Brien appeared to be guilty of shooting a tad too soon and subsequent­ly dropped his effort short into the grateful arms of Conall Devin. Seconds later the Bride’s net-minder was standing over a 35-metre free, but he conncted badly and his effort skewed to the right and wide.

It mattered not from St Bride’s point of view as the point was enough to send them through to the last eight.

For Mattock, Sunday afternoon’s clash with Clans is a repeat of last year’s semi-final showdown between the sides and there’s arguably just as much at stake this time around. MATTOCK RANGERS: Mike Englishby; Alan Caraher, Sean Gilsenan, Ronan Kilbane; Daire Englishby, Niall McKeown, James Caraher; Conor Lenehan, Dan Bannon; Brendan Leacy, Terry Dongan, Adrian Reid; Aaron O’Brien, Michael McKeown, David Reid. Subs: Hugh Donnelly for D Bannon (ht), Cathal Clarke for C Lenehan (36).

ST BRIDE’S: Conall Devin 0-1f; Ronan Bailey, Killian Kirk, David Kettle; Mark Hoey, Andrew Smyth, Michael Keane; Patrick Reilly, Conor Deane 0-1; James Costello 0-1, Kevin Hearty 0-1, Sean Brennan; Aaron Hoey 0-1, Sean Marry 0-3 (2f), Ciaran Deane 0-2. Subs: Bernard Laverty for S Brennan (50).

REFEREE: Thomas Brennan. NAOMH Fionnbarra eased into the last eight of the Intermedia­te Championsh­ip thanks to a comfortabl­e win over Na Piarsaigh at Dunleer on Saturday evening.

The Barrs went into the game boosted by their victory over St Kevins in the opening game and that confidence was evident in the opening 11 minutes when they blitzed the Dundalk men and put 2-4 on the board without reply.

The outcome wasn’t in doubt from that stage and although Na Piarsaigh refused to give up, they never looked likely to claw back that advantage and the Finbarrs were able to cruise to victory.

Na Piarsaigh have been in good form in the Division 3 league but the step-up in standard took its toll as the Ballygassa­n side were just that little bit quicker in terms of movement and passing and were also that bit stronger in the tackle throughout the game.

The Dundalk side could not be found wanting when it came to endeavour and their efforts might have counted for more had it not been for another exceptiona­l performanc­e from William Woods who finished with 1-10 to his name, and but for the efforts of goalkeeper Peter Gallagher it could have been much more.

The Louth forward, who was ably assisted by Jack Butterly and Bernard Osborne in attack, had the first goal of the game on ten minutes to put his side 1-4 to no score up and the restart Mairtin Murphy burst through to add a second.

Na Piarsaigh got off the mark before the end of the first quarter when Tommy Muckian got on the end of a good move to find the net, while Conall Shields and Mark Larkin pointed. However, four points from Woods and a Jack Butterly effort ensured the Barrs were leading by 2-9 to 1-2 at half time.

Na Piarsaigh continued to battle at the start of the second half and kicked three of the five points in the third quarter.

However, the Barrs always looked to have an extra gear when required and they illustrate­d that when a Jack Butterly goal saw them outscore their opponents by 1-4 to 0-1 in a nine-minute spell to help seal victory.

NAOMH FIONNBARRA: Andy McCann; James Butterly, Kieran Lenehan, Conor Lenehan; Patrick McGrane, Oisin McGee, Bryan Sharkey; Darren McConnon, John Doyle; Mairtin Murphy 1-0, Conor Osborne, Hugh Osborne 0-2; Jack Butterly 1-1, Bernard Osborne 0-2, William Woods 1-10 (2f, 3 ‘45’). Subs: Josh Crosbie for P McGrane, Michael McArdle for B Osborne, Martin O’Neill for M Murphy, Ciaran Boyle 0-1 for B Sharkey, Daithi Woods for J Doyle.

NA PIARSAIGH: Peter Gallagher; Fergal Mulholland, Conall Shields 0-1, Stephen McGuinness 0-1; Ciaran Murphy, Joe Woods, Shane Roddy; Jarlath Lyons, Ronan McCartney; Mark Larkin 0-3 (3f), Gavin McGee, Robbie Murphy 0-1(f); Tommy Muckian 1-0, Alan McCartney, Eamonn McAuley. Subs: Michael Woods 0-1 for G McGee, Stephen Arrowsmith for T Muckian.

REFEREE: Gerard Corrigan.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Ireland