Taghmon take title
Duffry defeated in a bruising battle
THE PRESSURE eventually told in Bree as Taghmon-Camross claimed the Gorey Guardian Under-15 football Roinn 2 championship title at the expense of a gallant Duffry Rovers side.
In what was a fair but bruising battle, Taghmon-Camross dominated territorially but the Coolree boys showed incredible heart to repel a barrage of pressure to stay in and around the lead for much of the contest.
Indeed, with just over one minute of normal time remaining the game was still tied, only for four points in three minutes, from Michael Foley (two), Conor Murphy and a bouncing effort from Cillian Gondard, to finally push the New Ross District side over the line.
The Duffry were playing with the elements in the opening half and made a bright start. However, they had just a James Lawless point to show for their early efforts and soon they were on the back foot.
Conor Murphy found the net from distance to get Taghmon-Camross going, while James Kelly and Michael Foley added points to make it 1-2 to 0-2 after 20 minutes.
Lee Sludds soloed past three defenders and rattled home a major at the other end, and when Evan O’Connor netted right on half-time the Duffry had the most improbable lead (2-3 to 1-3).
More pressure followed after the resumption and the Duffry goal lived a charmed existence. Eventually with Foley, James Whitty and Mark Doyle on target, they got themselves level before the four quick points gave Taghmon-Camross a winning margin for the first time.
Rovers did have a chance to get back into the game deep into added time when Danny Fitzhenry got through but was denied by Paddy Nolan in the Taghmon-Camross goal.
The coming together that ensued left the Duffry man in serious difficulty and the game was delayed while an ambulance was called.
After much deliberation between County Board and referee, it was decided that the final 32 seconds of additional time would be played after leg injury victim Fitzhenry was taken away.
Duffry Rovers were unable to re-take to the field but graciously conceded the result as it stood as Taghmon-Camross claimed the honours in somewhat unusual fashion.
Taghmon-Camross: Paddy Nolan; Luke Murphy, Shane Codd, Cillian Gondard (0-1); Liam Winters, Jack Kelly, Conor Foley; Maurice Cogley (capt.), Michael Foley (0-6, 1 free); James Whitty (0-1), Mark Doyle (0-1), James Kelly (0-1); Paul Dier, Conor Murphy (1-1), Cody Myler. Subs. Jack Murphy for Dier (31), Patrick Monaghan for Foley, inj. (39), Conor Mernagh, Laurence Banville, Jonathan Banville, Jack Whitty, Bobby Doyle, Dan Ruane.
Duffry Rovers: Ciarán Doyle; Cathal O’Gorman, Ian Blake, Danny Fitzhenry; Callum Boyce, Tiarnan Fitzhenry, Robert Flynn; Lee Sludds (joint capt., 1-2, 0-1 ’45), Joshua Doyle; Liam Redmond, Gavin Roban, Seán Kelly; Evan O’Connor (joint capt., 1-0), Pádraig Walters (0-1), James Lawless (0-1). Subs. - Conor Sinnott for Redmond (27), Mervyn Rogan for O’Connor (58), also David Nolan, Ben Kavanagh, Aaron Walsh, Ryan Gowler, Ryan Purcell, Jacques Neville, Jamie Blackburn, James Aylward, Dawit Bakale, Noel Cowman.
Referee: Thomas Furlong (Adamstown).