Kenny and Egan net as Pal start with a win
Palatine's Jamie Kenny scores a fine goal against Bagenalstown Gaels
Palatine drew first blood in the Carlow senior football championship when an impressive final quarter swept aside the challenge of Bagenalstown Gaels in Netwatch Cullen Park on Friday in this group 2 round 1 tie.
The first half was a cagey affair and while it was keenly contested both sides cancelled each other out. Highlight of the opening jousts was Andrew Kehoe’s two pointer from play. He was creating a bit of history in local GAA as it was the first score of its kind to be registered in the Carlow senior football championship.
His feat helped last year’s senior finalists into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead but Bagenalstown Gaels hit back with a good goal from Paddy McDonnell who was on the end of a sweet exchange of passes involving a number of players.
Palatine finished the half best with Shane O’Neill’s fourth point nudging his side into a 0-8 to 1-4 at the change of ends.
Palatine looked that little bit more sharper in the third quarter and they made full use of an advantage signalled by referee, Marion Hayden. This time Jamie Kenny found a hole in the Gaels rear guard and his shot, just inside the left hand post, gave Ciaran Cunningham no chance.
It was the three-pointer which all but killed the Bagenalstown resistance and Palatine by turning the screw with further points from O’Neill, McMahon and Ciaran Moran ran out easy winners.
Another goal from Josh Egan put the icing on the cake for the Bennekerry side which might be invaluable from a points difference view as the group games unravel over the coming weeks.
S O’Neill 0-7 (3fs 1-2pt), C Crowley 0-4 (2fs), A Kehoe 0-3 (1-2p), J Egan, J Kenny 1-0 each, B McMahon 0-2, B Cassidy, C Moran 0-1 each.
P McDonnell 1-1, C Doyle 0-2 (1f), J Clarke, O Dillon.
Craig Kearney; Darragh Fitzpatrick, Cian Cashman, Sean Walsh; Jack Deacy, Ciaran Moran, Padraic Kelly; Finbarr Kavanagh, Shane O’Neill; Josh Egan, Andrew Kehoe, Bryan McMahon; Cillian Moore, Jamie Kenny, Brandon Cassidy. Subs: Conor Crowley for Kehoe (40), James Cranny for Cassidy (48), Kehoe for Moore (57).
Ciaran Cunningham; Thomas McDonnell, Jason Wall, Sean Wall; Niall Bolger, Jack McCullagh, Mark McDonald; Patrick McDonnell, Shane Clarke; Danny Doyle, Jamie Clarke, Darragh Nolan; Cian Doyle, Robbie Kane, Oisin Dillon. Subs: James Farrell for C Doyle (54).
Marion Hayden (Éire Óg).
