Monday Night Football Delivers Again

Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship Group 1 Round 3

Venue: Protection and Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre Darver

Referee: Stephen Johnson (Glen Emmets)

Cooley Kickhams 2-14 : 1-16 Roche Emmets

The stakes couldn’t be higher as Cooley Kickhams and Roche Emmets face off in the final round of group action. With Dundalk Gaels already safely through after with their superior score difference, it all comes down to this clash to decide who joins them in the knockout stages.

What’s on the Line? Before the game.

• Cooley Kickhams: Top of the group heading in, they’ll qualify with a win, a draw, or even a defeat by five points or fewer. However, if they want to finish top, they must win or draw – Dundalk Gaels’ superior scoring difference means anything less won’t be enough.
• Roche Emmets: It’s simple but daunting – only a six-point victory or more will see them through. Anything less, and their campaign ends here.

First half

This game started off in a lively fashion with Cooley Kickhams’ winning the throw-in and Fionn O’Reilly taken the ball on a powerful run towards Michael Rafferty, who took the ball on a loop and converted to open the scoring.

The next two scores came from the boot of Diarmuid (DD) Reilly, one from a free and a nice score off his left, to edge his side ahead 0-1 to 0-2. The next two-points went Cooley’s way with Enda O’Neill kicking two carbon copy points, into the far end.

Roche then generated two huge goal chances and with themselves chasing a 6-point, needed these to be converted. DD Reilly beared down on goal after a brilliant run but drew the ball wide, followed shortly by Barry O’Hare seeing his powerful shot denied by a superb block by Paul Brennan. Michael Rafferty traded points with Barry O’Hare to leave the score at 0-4 to 0-3 on 17 minutes.

Fearghal Malone got the games first two-pointer on 18 minutes with a brilliantly struck effort beyond the 45m line. A tense game was slowing releasing now and Roche produced a lovely, flowing move to tee Sean Dawe up to get a major, a classy finish by the Roche number 10 to draw the game back level on 20 minutes. DD Reily then sent Roche ahead but this was almost immediately pegged back as Michael Rafferty converted a 2-point free from his hands. Reilly who had a huge game for Roche was influencing the game in many different ways for his side, he struck a beautiful 2-pointer from the groind on 26 minutes against a stiff breeze. However, Cooley re-asserted their lead as Fionn O’Reilly and another unbeleivable two-pointer, outside the left from Fearghal Malone sent them 2 ahead at the break.

Half Time: Cooley Kickhams 0-11 : 1-6 Roche Emmets

Second half

Cooley’s first half sub Patrick Johnston had two huge plays at the start of the second half. He released a powerful strike towards the Roche goal which was deflected centrally, a goalmouth scrambled ensued and Gerard Hanlon got a vital touch to it (1-11 to 1-6). He then had another huge goal opportunity, only to be denied by an outstanding Evin Quigley save.

This Quigley save inspired Roche into a period of total dominance. On 36 minutes, they produced a proper team-move with Liam Dawe on the end of it for a GOAL. Barry O’Hare, Shane Byrne and Liam Dawe all put up huge scores for the Roche men to send them four clear with 15 minutes remaining.

However, to there credit; Ciaran Marks’ side recovered themselves and brought control back to the game. Enda O’Neill got in for two points, one of which came off a huge Evin Quigley save, once again. Then, Roche hit back – adding to the ebb & flow element off this game. Conor Carthy landed a massive two-pointer for them to restore the 4 point advantage. Though, they will have regrets as they were twice, four clear but were never able extend it to that golden target of a six point win.

Cian Connor nailed a free from the ground on 27 minutes while Patrick Johnston and Fearghal Malone got important additional time scores to close the gap back down to a point.

Full Time – Cooley Kickhams 1-16 : 2-14 Roche Emmets

How it settled?

Dundalk Gaels now top the group on score difference with Cooley Kickhams advancing in second spot. Roche Emmets are condemned to a relegation play-off.

Both sides will have regrets tonight. Although Roche won the game – they were never quite able to reach that elusive 6-point margin they needed. Cooley Kickhams had their eyes on topping the group but were unable to get the game level at the end which would have earned them first place. Although they will be more than satisfied to reach the knockout stage, where, they are more than capable of advancing.

Player of the Match:

Fearghal Malone (Cooley Kickhams)

For the second week running, Malone came up with the big moments for Cooley Kickhams. He is controlling a lot of their play in both games while also been such an accurate presence in front of the posts. Malone kicked two monstrous 2-pointers in the first half and also, tagged a late score.

Notables:

Diarmuid (DD) Reilly (Roche Emmets) : Was Roche’ main threat all evening. Kicked 0-5 points and was everywhere for his side.

Evin Quigley (Roche Emmets) : Made a number of outstanding saves which kept his side in the game. Was on-song with a large percentage of his kickouts. A good evening’s work for the Roche netminder.

Gerry Malone (Cooley Kickhams) : A relaible presence for a young Cooley side that was under severe pressure. Carried and handled a lot of important possession for his team. Forms one-third of an extremely good half-back line alongside Darren Marks and Sean Hoey.

Cooley’ Team:

Niall Brady; Ronan McBride, Dean McGreehan, Ian Arnold; Gerry Malone, Darren Marks, Sean Hoey; Fionn O’Reilly (0-1), Paul Brennan; Fearghal Malone (0-5), Enda O’Neill (0-4), Gerard Hanlon (1-0); Michael Carron, Michael Rafferty (0-4), Cian Connor (0-1).

Subs:

Patrick Johnston (0-1) for Michael Carron (21 Mins), Niall Morgan for Dean McGreehan (HT), Jason Brady for Niall Morgan (40 Mins), Richard Brennan for Fionn O’Reilly (41 Mins).

Roche’ Team:

Evin Quigley; Dermot Carthy, Sean Connolly, Marc Murphy; Fionn Connolly, Peter Lynch, Gerard Browne; Liam Dawe (1-2), Glen Stewart; Sean Dawe (1-0), Diarmuid (DD) Reilly (0-5), Conor Carthy (0-2); Mark Byrne, Shane Byrne (0-3), Barry O’Hare (0-2).

Subs:

James McDonnell for Dermot Carthy (37 Mins), Jack McKay for Conor Carthy (59 Mins), Callum Grant for Fionn Connolly (60 Mins).