East Cork Junior A Football Championship
Round 2
Thurs 14th April – Midleton
Carraig na bhFear 1-13 Midleton 0-06
Our Junior A footballers bounced back from their disappointing defeat to Midleton in round 1 with a well deserved win over Midleton. With pitch availability still at a premium, the game was switched to Midleton and the host pitch was in excellent condition on a perfect night for football. Carraig started brightly and the opening score came from the boot of Colm O’Reilly after 5 minutes. The magpies, playing on home soil, threatened early with some good direct football but the Carraig defence was up for the challenge and kept the hosts to few chances. Brendan Murphy was having a great outing at wing back, driving forward at every chance. Carraig took the lead again through a Colm free after a great take by full forward Aidan Hegarty saw him dragged down close to goal. Midleton levelled after 20 minutes with a point from play. Coming up to 25 minutes gone, Carraig introduced Oisin Crowley and James Meehan to the attack and it was Crowley who made an instant contribution, collecting smartly 20 yards out and looping a left footed shot beyond the keeper into the Midleton net for a crucial goal. A point followed from Paul O’Keeffe after some excellent passing up the field from the full back line out. Midleton rounded off the half with a point from a close range free to leave the goal between the sides at the break.
Carraig started the second half well, Shane Horgan and Aaron Dorgan dominating midfield and setting up the attacks. The sides swapped early points before Carraig added a point from Shane, driving over after some great play from John Forde and Timmy Geaney. Oisin added two points from frees and after 10 minutes of the second half the lead was out to 1-07 to 0-04. Another point for Carraig was answered by two quick points from the Magpies, which were to prove to be their last as Carraigs defence shut the door on any further chances impressively. With Paul Sheehan and Aidan Hegarty were working tirelessly in attack and Oisin punished any Midleton indiscretions ruthlessly from placed balls, Carraig stretched the lead to 1-10 to 0-06 entering the final 10 minutes. Carraig had further late points from Aaron Dorgan, Oisin Crowley and John Forde as they controlled the closing stages and ensured a safe passage to the third round.
Team:
Ricky Galvin
Tomás Sheehan(C), Stephen Casey, Paul Geaney
Diarmuid O’Driscoll, Timmy Geaney, Brendan Murphy
Shane Horgan, Aaron Dorgan
Paul Murphy, Colm O’Reilly, Paul O’Keeffe
John Forde, Aidan Hegarty, Paul Sheehan
Subs:
Oisin Crowley for Colm O’Reilly
James Meehan for Paul Murphy