Gorey shine in top two tussle

Leaders have game in hand

NAOMH EANNA won the battle of the unbeaten sides in Group A of the Joyces Expert Intermediate ‘A’ football championship in Hollymount on Saturday.

Trailing by two points at the break, the Gorey side’s class shone through as they kicked on to take control of the group with an impressive eight-point win.

It appeared to be going to plan right from the off for Naomh Eanna. William Cullen struck two between the posts before Seamus O’Donnell rounded his marker and finished high into the net.

However, Kilmore were keen to make sure their opponents knew they were in a game as they raised the green flag twice in three minutes.

Daithí Moore fired in off the post before Paddy Byrne placed calmly into the side of the net.

Kilmore were solid for the remainder of the half. Daithí Moore, Tom Byrne, Tommy Cousins and Conor Moore ensured that their side led at the interval (2-6 to 1-7).

But, Gorey proved to be far superior after the re-start. By the time Kilmore had scored again, Naomh Eanna had 3-15 on the scoreboard.

Lee Kinsella and Cullen got five minors between them before David O’Brien fed Charlie McGuckin to finish low into the net.

Cullen added two more points before Gorey’s third goal took the game away from their opponents. Cullen fed Kinsella who rounded the ‘keeper and finished into an empty net.

Kilmore did offer one last late burst.

Tom Byrne scored his side’s only point of the half before they hit the net twice, with Daithí Moore and Tom Byrne both finishing low as they made the scoreline look respectable.

Naomh Eanna closed out the game with a trio of points. Peter Trvaers and David O’Brien were on target before substitute Gary Molloy got in on the act.

Gorey sit top of the group despite having a game in hand on the rest of their competitors. With this match coming against the struggling Réalt na Mara on Saturday, they will fancy their chances of extending their lead at the top of the table.

Naomh Eanna: Barry Kinsella; Seamus O’Donnell (1-0), Daniel Sunderland, Joseph O’Connor; Jack Cullen, Pádraig Doyle, Eoin Molloy; Brendan Travers (0-1), John O’Brien; Charlie McGuckin (1-0), Peter Travers (capt., 0-3), Seán Doyle; David O’Brien (0-3, 1 free), Lee Kinsella (1-3), William Cullen (0-7, 1 free). Subs. - Gary Molloy (0-1) for McGuckin (52), Eoin Conroy for Cullen (55).

Kilmore: Shane Cassidy; Shane Goff, Tommy Cousins (0-1), Robbie Cousins; Conor Moore (0-1), Denis Kenny, Páraic Reville; Paddy Byrne (1-1), Tom Byrne (1-2); Criostóir Reville, Daithí Moore (capt., 2-2, 0-1 free), Tom White; Mark Sinnott, Noel Casey, Aaron Kielthy. Subs. - Aaron Goff for Sinnott (31), Graham Mernagh for Casey (48), Kevin Keating for Reville (48).

Referee: John O’Loughlin (Monageer-Boolavogue).