Leighlinbridge back in another Junior final
Cian Brennan celebrates scoring a goal for Leighlinbridge Photo: Pat Ahern
Leighlinbridge are back in the Junior Football A Championship final for the third time in four years when they proved too good for a disappointing Rathvilly side in this last four game.
From the throw-in the eventual winners always looked the better team in this Junior Football A Championship semi-final on Saturday in Netwatch Cullen Park. Aidan Lillis (f), Charlie Nolan, Aidan Nolan, Joey Byrne and Rob O’Byrne were all in form knocking over some nice points.
Rathvilly did have plenty of the ball but all they had to show for it was a point a piece from Conor O’Neill and Jack Carroll from frees. The Barrowsiders were irrepressible and scored the last three points of the half through Lillis (2fs) and Nolan to lead 0-9 to 0-2 at the change of ends.
Brian Murphy registered the opening point of the second half for Rathvilly but Cian Brennan was alert to pick up a shot which came off the upright and finished to the net.
Rathvilly got a life-line when Murphy converted a penalty but before they could settle and go again, Leighlinbridge found their opponents net once more when Charlie Nolan off-loaded to Aidan Nolan who finished well.
From there, it was a stroll for last year’s beaten finalists. No doubt, on this display, they will look forward to next weekend’s final with a degree of confidence.
A Lillis 0-7 (4fs), A Nolan 1-1, C Nolan 0-4 (1-2pf), C Brennan 1-0, J Byrne, A Byrne, R O’Byrne 0-1, A Barcoe, M Brennan 0-1 each.
B Murphy 1-3 (1-0 pen 3fs), C O’Neill (f), J Carroll (0-1f), 0-1 each.
Chris Kearney; PJ Haughney, Daniel Barron, Ros Dermody; Kacper Gniedziejko, Cathal Brennan, Joey Byrne; Liam Brennan, Aedan Byrne; Cian Brennan, Aidan Lillis, Rob O’Byrne; Fiach O’Toole, Charlie Nolan, Aidan Nolan. Subs: Ciaran Nolan for O’Byrne (43), Alfie Barcoe for Gniedziejko (53), Jonathan Stringer for Dermody (53), Mark Brennan for J Byrne (58), Geoffrey Doran for L Brennan (62).
Conor Elliott; Robert Coleman, Eoin Corcoran, Senan Molloy; Kyle Byrne, Luca Kavanagh, Tony Bolger; Kenneth Bello, Eoghan O’Connor Byrne; Ger Kavanagh, Pauric Whyte, Conor O’Neill; Jack Carroll, Brian Murphy, Darragh Corcoran. Subs: Cillian Molloy for O’Neill (32), Keith Curran for G Kavanagh (40), O’Neill for J Carroll (47), Sean Corcoran for Whyte (59).
Peter Doran (Tinryland).
