“McElroy Fires O’Raghallaighs To Safety”

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Relegation Playoff Semi Final

O’Raghallaighs 4-10 : 0-11 Wolfe Tones

Venue: Páirc Naomh Mairtin, Monasterboice

Referee: David Fedigan (Hunterstown Rovers)

O’Raghallaighs secured their Intermediate Football Championship status with a comfortable win over Drogheda rivals Wolfe Tones, this evening in Páirc Naomh Mairtin – Monasterboice.

Wolfe Tones had some decent passages of play in the first half and kept the game within arms reach. Two early points from Chris Cudden gave them a 0-2 to 0-1 advantage on 11 minutes. However, O’Raghallaighs began to flex their muscle as Kyle McElroy led the charge – notching over four points to send them 0-5 to 0-4 clear on 24 minutes just before the halves decisive moment. McElroy fired a goal to the back of the net on 25 minutes and that in truth, upset any momentum the Tones’ had. Goalkeeper’ Garrett Cooney and Davey Bolger put over two late points to keep them in touch at the break.

Half Time – O’Raghallaighs 1-5 : 0-6 Wolfe Tones

The second half was one of complete dominance from O’Raghallaighs as they produced a sharp half of football to ensure they maintained their Intermediate status. John Horan got their second goal on 36 minutes and it was from this moment that they never looked back. Tones’ Rory Taaffe hit over the games only 2-pointer on 44 minutes, an extremely impressive score but this was almost immediately cancelled out by a superb Daniel Reilly goal. Kyle McElroy continued to add to his tally as the half went on, which allowed the O’Raghallaighs stretch their lead out. A late Eoin Moore goal put the icing on the cake for them as they successfully navigated what could have been a tricky Wolfe Tones challenge.

Full Time – O’Raghallaighs 4-10 : 0-11 Wolfe Tones

Player of the Match;

Kyle McElroy (O’Raghallaighs) – Hit 1-9 and had a real clinical edge to his game in Monasterboice. His teammates got him the ball and to his credit, he done the rest with some excellent scores.

What next?

O’Raghallaighs have maintained their status, while Dundalk Young Irelands lie in wait for the 2024 Junior Champions’ Wolfe Tones with the fixture details to be confirmed.

O’Raghallaighs Team:

Joe Finegan; Eseosa Omoregbe, Jason Reynolds, Emmett King; Daniel Reilly (1-0), Conor McGinty, Danny Morgan; Eoin Moore (1-0), Ruairi Moore; Olan Walshe, Barry Finegan, Joe Meehan; John Horan (1-0), Ben Rogan (0-1), Kyle McElroy (1-9).

Subs: Ewan Sweeney for Olan Walshe (41 Mins), Lucas Carton for Jason Reynolds (54 Mins), Chris Smith for John Horan (63 Mins), Cameron Griffin for Joe Meehan (63 Mins)

Wolfe Tones Team:

Garrett Cooney (0-1); Danny Byrne, Alan Fanning, Davey Bolger (0-1); Daniel Molloy, Rhys McGovern, Sean McQuail; Sam Kelly, Mark Healy; Tadhg Rock (0-1), Chris Cudden (0-2), Liam Gaffney (0-1); Paddy Fanning, Dwayne Leavy, Rory Taaffe (0-3).

Subs: Eoghan Clinton (0-1) for Mark Healy (44 Mins), Eoghan Brennan (0-1) for Paddy Fanning (48 Mins).