Kildavin-Clonegal run amok in one-sided semi-final triumph
Kildavin-Clonegal's Joe Warren drives away from Railyard's chasing pack. Photos: Pat Ahern.
This Carlow Credit Union Senior Football League Division 2 semi-final at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday proved to be a one-sided affair with Kildavin-Clonegal running amok against the County Kilkenny based club.
The Wexford border side started well with Daniel Cronin, Liam McGuill Joe Roberts all registering a point each. Railyard hit back with a two-point free when Francie Ward found the target at the O’Hanrahan end of the ground.
With the breeze, Kildavin-Clonegal dominated with Roberts doing what he has been doing for what seems an eternity now. Hard to dispossess and deadly accurate from placed balls, he ended the half with four points as the eventual winners took a 1-9 to 0-2 lead into the interval.
The goal was fortunate when Liam Roberts attempted to punch a point which came off his fist but Railyard keeper, John Mansfield, allowed the ball to slip from his grasp and drop over the line.
Kildavin-Clonegal hardly upped the ante in the second half as it was more their opponents struggling to get anything going. Murphy and Ward exchanged points and Ciaran Atkinson netted for Kildavin-Clonegal.
The arrival on the field of Niall Hickey for the Kildavin side was a welcome sight. Injury kept him out of the county’s successful league campaign and here he scored 1-1 in the time he was on the field. Late on Alex Callaghan scored Kildavin-Clonegal’s fourth goal. With the driving rain making life miserable for players, mentors and match officials, referee, Marion Hayden sensibly brought an end to proceedings with just one minute of extra-time played.
J Roberts 0-6 (3fs), A Callaghan, L Roberts, N Hickey 1-1 each, C Atkinson Scott 1-0, , D Murphy 0-3, D Cronin 0-2, L McGuill, J Warren, F Doyle 0-1 each.
F Ward 0-5 (3fs 1-2pf).
Kenneth Brennan; Philip Byrne, Donal Hickey, Gavin Byrne; Liam Roberts, Lorcan Kinsella, Liam McGuill; Joe Warren, John Kirwan; Alex Callaghan, Daniel Cronin, Ciaran Atkinson Scott; Conor Doyle, Daniel Murphy, Joe Roberts.
Fionn Doyle for Atkinson Scott (38), Niall Hickey for C Doyle (38), Paraic Hickey for Kirwan (44), Darragh Roberts for D Hickey (48), Cathal Treacy for Brennan (53).
John Mansfield; Cathal Barry, Noel Roche, Malachy Flaherty; Harry Roche, David Ozzie Roche, James Love; Francis Ward, Brian McDonald; Kyle Casburn, Mark Hender, Caleb Roche; Dara Dunne, Michael O’Keeffe, Peter Ward.
Padraig Cooney for C Roche (15), Tom Roche for Casburn (h/t), Michael O’Leary for Ward (39), Paul Roche for N Roche (46), Shane Gorry for Dunne (59).
Marion Hayden (Éire Óg)
