Naomh Bríd progress in Leinster
John Murphy celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game during Naomh Bríd's win over Delvin Photo: Pat Ahern
“John Murphy got an early goal which settles us which was important. It was a bit of a dog-fight in the second half but we came out on top.”
Fiach O’Toole’s observations were certainly bang on when asked to reflect on his side’s victory in this first round Leinster Intermediate Hurling Championship at Clonkill on Saturday.
There had to be tired limbs in both sides. After drawing their county final the previous Saturday and winning the reply on Tuesday, Clonkill must have felt tired and appeared to be.
On the other hand, many of the travelling side had played football finals only six days previously. The Gaelic Players Association revealed during the week that the players support the split season so this can happen when the club season gets up and running.
“The lads enjoyed the few days and then it was back training. It was no bother to them and the touch came back quickly enough,” suggested O’Toole.
After the home side snuck into an early lead the visitors struck for the only goal of the game when Aaron Amond fed John Murphy and he made no mistake from close range on eight minutes.
That three-pointer hung heavily around the necks of Delvin who played with the wind in the opening half but shot nine wides which hurt them deeply. Ciaran Fenelon and Darragh Clinton scored two points each but Amond was in good form landing two frees and a point from play in that opening half. At the interval, the Carlow champions led 1-5 to 0-5.
Naomh Bríd outscored the home side by three points to two in the early stages of the second period. That was important. They had to be defiant and were. In fact, Delvin lived dangerously when a ball dropped into the small square. In a scramble for possession, the defence finally managed to clear.
Clinton was Delvin’s only scoring threat in that second half. In contrast, John Murphy landed two points and Amond ended up with seven to his name for the Carlow visitors. Jack Connolly was also on target. O’Toole didn’t use any superlatives when asked how satisfying the visit to Westmeath was.
“I suppose it is a good win. We were definitely a bit rusty after all the football. It is nice to keep the show on the road,” he said.
Naomh Bríd will now face Dublin opposition in a quarter-final in Parnell Park on 8th November.
A Amond 0-7 (3fs), J Murphy 1-2, R O’Neill 0-1, J Connolly 0-1, E Holland 0-1.
Darragh Clinton 0-8 (5fs), C Fenlon 0-2, O Kelly 0-1.
Alan Brennan; Shane Kirwan, Adam Dunne, Ros Dermody; Tadhg O’Neill, Fiach O’Toole, Gary Dunne; Mikey Bambrick, Eanna Holland; Ruarc O’Neill, John Murphy, Mark Fitzgerald; Aaron Amond, Colin Byrne, Jamie Doyle. Subs: Jack Connolly for Byrne (41), Niall Roche for R O’Neill (51), Gavin Slattery for Doyle (51).
Steven Reilly; Adam McCormack, Sean Hoctor, Jack Forde; Patrick Farrington, Frank McGrath, Ross Gaffney; Dean Poynton, Aaron Fenlon; Enda Newman, Killian Murphy, Oisin Kelly; Ciaran Fenlon, Patrick Clune, Darragh Clinton. Subs: Fintan Cox for C Fenlon (43), Josh Coll for Farrington (46). Sebastion McPherson for Gaffney (59).
Kyle Waters (Offaly).
