Taghmon’s complete display
Gorey second string continued battling to bitter end
TAGHMON GOREY 6-7 1-2
TAGHMON’S COMPLETE display saw them claim the Allianz Rackard League Rising Stars football title with a comprehensive victory over Gorey at St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, on Monday of last week.
The eventual victors set about their task from the opening minutes as they laid siege to their opponents’ goal, racing into a 3-3 to nil-0 lead by the tenth minute.
Bigger and much stronger physically than their rivals, they controlled the outfield exchanges and with the attack utilising their quality ball it was all one-way traffic for the opening half.
Having conceded three early goals, it was always going to be an uphill battle for the Gorey boys. Giving away a lot physically and much the younger side, they found great difficulty in stifling their opponents through that opening spell.
They showed immense improvement on the resumption, playing some quality football in the process.
And there was enough to suggest they will be a real force in the league over the next two years, given that this was their second tier side as their first team had finished as runners-up to Glynn-Barntown.
It was probably expected that Taghmon would prove the stronger side over the course of the game. They took a second-minute lead when Jamie Cadogan kicked a fine point, and two minutes later a quick attacking move saw the ball end with Kieran Kelly who shot low to the corner of the net.
One minute later, having won possession of the short kick-out, the ball was transferred quickly inside to Morgan Nash-Colfer who easily beat ‘keeper Conor Moore from close range, giving his side a 2-1 to nil lead.
With Gorey finding real difficulty in getting the ball beyond midfield, as the Taghmon pairing of David Foley and Jack Whitty dominated possession, the latter finished for their third goal with a rising shot to the roof of the net.
Points followed from a Foley free and Conor Doyle to leave them leading by 3-3 to nil after just ten minutes.
This was fine attacking football from Taghmon who went on to add a further two goals in the lead up to the break through Jamie Cadogan, giving them a 5-7 to nil interval lead.
Gorey showed immense improvement after the half-time break.
They began to work the ball out of defence through midfield, and as a result they found greater opportunity of giving their starved attack an abundance of ball.
While Nash-Colfer added his side’s sixth goal within three minutes of the re-start, Gorey went on to control the remainder of the half.
Having built some promising attacks, both Rory Dineen and Seán O’Farrell came close to goals but their efforts flashed just the wrong side of the post.
It also took some desperate defending from Taghmon to keep their goal intact, with Gorey having to wait until the 40th minute for their opening score of the game - a Stephen Murphy pointed free.
After Murphy saw a goal attempt well saved by Taghmon ‘keeper Calvin Kehoe, he went on to add his side’s second point, also from a free.
Had Gorey converted more of their chances the scoreline would have been more respectable, but this young side still battled right to the final whistle.
And corner-forward Seán O’Farrell scored a fine goal six minutes from the end when he pounced on a breaking ball to send a rising left-footed shot to the top corner of the net, which was no more than their second-half effort deserved.
Taghmon: Calvin Kehoe; Stephen Doyle, Peter Whitty, Bobby Joe Pitt; Luke Barron, Ben O’Toole (0-1), Rowan O’Keeffe; David Foley (0-2, 1 free), Jack Whitty (1-0); Jamie Cadogan (2-1), Morgan Nash-Colfer (2-0), Philip Doyle; Kieran Kelly (1-0), Conor Doyle (0-3), Ryan McLoughlin. Subs. - Seán Clancy, Tom Bolger, Gary Hornick, D.J. Doyle, Ryan Cardiff, Craig Doyle, Aaron Moloney, Liam Morrissey, Harvey O’Brien, John Pitt, Ronan Winters.
Gorey: Conor Moore; Brian O’Toole, Jacob Smullen, Nathan Byrne; Ted Sheehan, Casey Kennedy, Thierry Travers; Jack Steadmond, Adam Bell; Stephen Murphy (0-2 frees), Rory Dineen, Callum O’Brien-Ryan; Seán O’Farrell (1-0), Ciarán O’Brien, Rian Lacey. Subs. - Conall Molloy, Ryan Byrne.
Referee: Brendan Holohan (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown).