S.F.L Division 1
Eire Og 2-13 Tinryland 3-6
Eire Og won the league points after defeating their Co. final opponents from last year by 4 points at Pairc Ui Bhrian on Friday last. Of the 40 players from both teams that got game time in that Co. final only 14 were in action on Friday with the winners fielding 6 and Tinryland including 8 from last September’s decider.
Tinryland got off to the best possible start in this game when Paddy Regan rattled the Eire Og net after only 60 seconds after great build up play involving Conall McGuire and Cormac O’Brien who once again shone for the men in blue and white. Eire Og were back on level terms by the 3rd minute when Adam McCarron slotted over a free before Tinryland almost scored their second goal when McCarrons brother Ben brought off a wonderful save. The home side gradually eased into the game with further points from Niall Quinlan (free) and Adam McCarron who linked well with Diarmuid Ruth for the equaliser in the 10 th minute. Two quickfire points from Quinlan within 60 seconds saw Eire Og lead for the first time before Paddy Regan raised a white flag for Tinryland after great play by Matthew O’Toole and Chris Townsend.
Mid Way through the opening half Kelvin Chatton scored a great individual point to extend his team’s advantage before Shane Redmond kept Tinryland in touch with a point following great play by Paddy Regan and Glen Doyle. Tinryland goalie Ciaran Byrne was then forced to come to his team’s rescue with a wonderful save in the 17th minute but after more YI pressure Diarmuid Ruth extended the home team’s lead. Tinrylands response was positive however and after good play by Padraig Townsend and Diarmaid Walshe, Cormac Walshe crashed the ball to the Eire Og net to restore the Tinryland lead by the minimum with 8 minutes left to play in the opening half. Eire Og were back level 3 minutes later When Niall Quinlan converted a free but Tinryland responded positively again with a wonderful Glenn Doyle point. Tinryland were then dealt a blow when Eire Og were awarded a soft penalty which was despatched by Niall Quinlan and the men from Teach Asca had the final say of the half when Quinlan once again raised a white flag on the stroke of half time to leave the scoreboard reading Eire Og 1-9 Tinryland 2-3 when referee David Hickey sounded the half time whistle.
On the resumption Eire Og were awarded another penalty within 30 seconds of the throw in which was duly despatched by Quinlan and Tinryland now faced an uphill battle with 29 minutes still remaining. Tinryland’s response was positive and Diarmaid Walshe scored a beauty of a point in the 33rd minute before Ciaran Byrne was forced to make a point blank save. Eire Og stretched their lead further when Mark Behan slotted over a point in the 37th minute but Tinryland responded immediately with a wonderful Diarmaid Walshe point following good play by Matthew O’Toole. Eire Og then began emptying their bench introducing Jamie Coakley into the fray quickly followed by Steven Lacey and Hugh Dooley while Tinryland brought in Adam Mullen quickly followed by Maurice Lawler and Alex Farrell. The tempo of the game dropped a little from there to the finish with Eire Og adding further points from Adam McCarron, and Niall Quinlan (2) while Tinryland kept plugging away and were rewarded with a late goal from Cormac O’Brien which was just reward for the shift he put in.
Tinryland will now have one month’s break before their next league game at home to Palatine which will double as the Andy Murphy tournament final in aid of Carlow Hospice while Eire Og will be next in action away to Palatine on Friday 22nd March.
Eire Og: Ben McCarron, Evan Kelly, Paul McElligott, Eoghan Byrne, Lee Moore, Benny Kavanagh, Mark Behan 0-1, Kyle O’Byrne, Kelvin Chatten 0-1, Eoin Maddock, Diarmuid Ruth 0-2, David Dunphy, Adam McCarron 0-2, Jody Murphy, Niall Quinlan 2-7. Subs Stephen Lacey, Hugh Dooley, Jamie Coakley, Mark Daly, Ruairi Murray.
Tinryland: Ciaran Byrne, Conall McGuire, Conor Ryan, Danny Moran, Matthew O’Toole, Michael Hosey, Padraig Townsend, Paddy Regan 1-1, Shane Redmond 0-1, Chris Townsend, Cormac O’Brien1-1, Cormac Walshe 1-0, Glen Doyle 0-1, Diarmaid Walshe 0-2, Conall O Shea. Subs: Adam Mullen, Maurice Lawler, Alex Farrell.
Referee David Hickey Fenagh
