Enniscrone claim bragging rights with narrow win over neighbours

ENNISCRONE/KILGLASS CASTLECONNOR 1-10 0-11

ENNISCRONE/KILGLASS got their Kennedys Intermediate Championship campaign off to a winning start following a merited two-point win over neighbours Castleconnor at Tourlestrane last Sunday.

This group three clash was close throughout, but Shane Hargadon’s goal 12 minutes in gave Enniscrone/Kilglass a decisive advantage they never relinquished.

Division Two league champions Castleconnor kicked 12 wides in a performance marred by poor shooting and played second fiddle to their west Sligo rivals for much of this tie, but had they been more economical the result could have been different.

Enniscrone/Kilglass got off to a positive start after they opened up a 0-2 to 0-0 lead after ten minutes. Castleconnor opened their account with Kevin Langan, scorer of 0-6 in all, registering his sides first point, but the winners then netted through corner-forward Hargadon who finished well past Colin Gordon to give his side a 1-2 to 0-1 lead after 12 minutes.

The breeze at the south Sligo venue freshened as the game progressed and Castleconnor had the aid of this in the opening period but struggled to break down Enniscrone/Kilglass who enjoyed the lion’s share of possession. However, Sean Carrabine and Langan kept Castleconnor in touch, while Alan Cawley also scored from play.

Enniscrone/Kilglass – more efficient throughout – kept the scoreboard ticking over with Michael Moyles, Hargadon and an excellent Ciaran O’Dowd point helping the winners to a 1-6 to 0-6 half-time advantage.

The second half saw Castleconnor enjoy more of the ball, but they failed to get themselves back on level terms. Carrabine and Langan were Castleconnor’s only two scorers in the second half.

The winners held a 1-8 to 0-9 lead midway through the second half and could have put the game to bed when John Paul Carden was through on goal, but his shot went over rather than under the crossbar.

To their credit, Castleconnor pulled the gap back to a point, 1-9 to 0-11, as the game entered injury-time and during a tense six minutes had possession in advanced positions, but resilient defending from Enniscrone/Kilglass maintained their advantage.

The result was put beyond all doubt in the 66th minute when former Mayo footballer Moyles fisted over with the final play, much to the delight of the travelling seasiders support.

Enniscrone/Kilglass: G Regan; E Bourke, B Byron, J Ellis; K Cawley (0- 1), B Coleman, T Mahon; D Mullaney, C O’Dowd (0-2); C Tuffy, B Fitzgerald, M Moyles (0-3, 1f); M Gordon (0-1), JP Carden (0-1), S Hargadon (1-2, 2fs). Subs used: C Mulrooney, A Duffy, R Jacob

Castleconnor: C Gordon; R Keane, K Earlis, B Howley; P Sweeney, R Healy, J Earlis; K McDonnell, J McDonnell; A Cawley (0-1), B Howley, S Carrabine (04, 2fs); K Langan (0-6, 1f), P Naughton, S Curley. Subs used: M Cahill, E Kent, P Flynn, C Kilcullen

Referee: P Normanly