Kealy penalty secures win for gutsy Greystones
Kealy penalty earns points
AIL DIVISION 2B
DUNGANNON 17 GREYSTONES 20
AHEAD of this eight round match in the All Ireland League Division 2B the casual observer may have decided the result would be a foregone conclusion with a comfortable win for the visitors expected, what with the hosts Dungannon lying second from bottom playing league leaders Greystones.
But the more seasoned observers will have known that Dungannon ran joint top side Barnhall close just a couple of weeks ago surrendering a comfortable half time lead late in the game to lose out and who’s improving young side will have been primed for the visit of the country’s top scorers.
And so it turned out. Leading by 17 points after thirty minutes it took a penalty with virtually the last kick of the game by Captain Andrew Kealy to rescue the points for Greystones and maintain their position at the top of the table.
That lead is now a clear four points but with a game more played as a result of the postponement of the Barnhall v Wanderers fixture following the sudden and untimely death of Wanderers president John Roche-Kelly on Thursday.
Played in difficult conditions and with the advantage of a strong wind home side Dungannon took the game to their visitors from the opening whistle and were rewarded with the first points on three minutes with a penalty converted by centre Lucca Avelli.
From the restart they kept up the pressure and Greystones struggled to get out of their own 22.
The ‘Gannon pack recycling and driving at the ‘Stones line repeatedly made ground as the visitors struggled to get into the game. The hosts’ early dominance paid further dividends on ten minutes when backrow Jonah Mau’u crashed over for a converted try opening a ten point lead and they continue to confound the relative league positions and they went on to dominate field position and possession for much of the first quarter before Greystones began to play their way into the game.
But before Greystones could gain anything from the game they found themselves further behind.
Just as they finally found some territory and having opted to kick a penalty into the corner, Dungannon turned over possession and using the strong wind to their advantage belted the ball downfield and set up a footrace with winger Caolan Mulgrew getting the advantage over the retreating Greystones fullback Josh Glynn to win possession and run clear for an opportunistic score.
Seventeen points down after 25 minutes was not what the travelling Greystones support had anticipated despite the tough conditions and it was important the visitors got some form of foothold in the game before the deficit grew any further.
Led by Captain Andrew Kealy and the determination of the pack Greystones settled into the game and gradually turned the pressure against the home side.
With just two minutes to half time the breakthrough came when Ian Cullinane finished off concerted forward pressure to dive over and Andrew Kealy converted the difficult kick to go in at half time just ten points in arrears.
Kealy reduced the deficit to just the one score two minutes in to the second half and it looked set for Greystones to use the elements to their advantage and pull away but the hosts defended doggedly all afternoon and it was not until the final ten minutes that the scoreboard finally turned in Greystones favour.
Conor Pearse crashed over for ‘Stones second try with five minutes to play, converted by Kealy followed in the final minute by the cruellest of penalties against the hosts but to the utter relief for
the Kealy of the Dungannon league converted game. more leaders than will with a when feel losing the they last Andrew bonus play deserved point a share from of the the game spoils and could indeed have been considered fair but Greystones have a steely determination this year to get back into Division 2A where they feel they belong.
The league reaches the half way point next Saturday with what is lined up to be the match of season so far when the two unbeaten sides battling for the one automatic promotion place come together at Dr Hickey Park.
Barnhall travel to Greystones with the benefit of a weeks rest following the postponement of their match on Saturday whilst Greystones are counting the cost of a bruising encounter in Dungannon with Coach Kevin Lewis anxiously waiting on reports following injuries to a number of players.
The league won’t be decided next Saturday but both sides know the result is sure to have a major impact into determining who gains promotion at the end of the season.
Kick-off next Saturday is 2:30pm at what promises to be a well supported Dr Hickey Park.
GREYSTONES:
Kenny, Ryan O’Loughlin, Josh Glynn, Andrew Ferdia Kealy, Paudie Geoghegan, Killian Marmion, Andrew Roberts, Viktor Zelenka, Joel Penders, Conor Pearse, Chris Simmonds, John Campbell, Eoin Marmion, Ian Cullinane, Robin O’Sullivan. Replacements: Ben Pentland, Michael Douglas, Michael Doyle, Alan Dempsey, Andrew Lynch