Carnaross overcame a stern physical challenge in the form of Blackhall Gaels to achieve victory in Round 1 of Division 4 of the Premier Championship.

Carnaross 1-16 Blackhall Gaels 1-8

Premier Championship Division 4 (Round 1)
Played in Carnaross – 3/8/2020

It was a perfect evening for football involving two teams with contrasting styles battling it out right till the very end. Blackhall Gaels began brightly when they scored 2 points in the first 5 minutes but this proved to be a false dawn. The full back line of Carnaross thwarted any potential scores which was spearheaded by the in-form Cormac O’Reilly and Sean Carpenter. The Hoops forward line began to click with John L McGee’s menacing runs causing havoc which were rewarded with 2 points. Carnaross upped the intensity and dominated the remainder of the half.

Richard Mulvey and Dermot McGee were linking up well in midfield to supply ammunition to the eager forward line. Cormac Yore, Shane Casserly and Paul Donoghue all pointed as the scoreboard continued to tick over. Dermot McGee blasted to the net after a well worked free flowing move that involved 4 different players. The men in maroon and saffron continued to drive home their advantage when Dermot kicked over a magnificent 45.

Cormac Yore followed this up with his own effort from the ground from a similar distance and the North Meath men showed no signs of letting up. The last 3 scores of the half were supplied by the main scorers in chief of the encounter: Cormac, Dermot and John L. At half time, Carnaross held a 12 point lead after a scintillating performance in the first 30 minutes.

Blackhall Gaels were keen to stem the tide and they achieved this in the second half through a higher level of work rate, physicality and a number of substitutes. The game entered a barren period after the restart as the home side struggled to regain their momentum. Blackhall kicked over 3 points in a row as they poured men forward. Darragh O’Reilly’s attempted effort was blocked down but after chasing down an apparent lost cause, he was rewarded with his first point.

John L doubled our second half tally with a lovely effort after selling his man with a delightful dummy. Blackhall then hit a purple patch where they registered 1-3 without reply. Carnaross needed the water break to settle and refocus for the job at hand. After a few positional changes, the final quarter was evenly contested and Carnaross’ victory was never in doubt. Odhran Farrelly’s rampaging runs were a highlight throughout the hour and one of his trademark incisions set up John L who finished with an impressive 5 points.

Dean Connell and Cian Gillic won a Trojan amount of breaking ball around the middle and together with centre back Sam Reynolds they prevented Blackhall from mounting a comeback. The midfield duo of McGee and Mulvey concluded proceedings with a point each that capped their industrious performances aptly.

Carnaross dominated for 3 quarters of the game utilizing their fitness, skill and graft to good effect while converting the majority of chances that came their way. Blackhall to their credit, fought til the bitter end but struggled to contain the in-form forward line of Carnaross.

Carnaross: Shane McNiffe, Odhran Farrelly, Cormac O’Reilly, Sean Carpenter, Cian Gillic, Sam Reynolds, Dean Connell, Dermot McGee (1-3), Richard Mulvey (0-1), Darragh O’Reilly (0-1), Shane Casserly (0-1), Killian Porter, Cormac Yore (0-4), John L McGee (0-5), Paul Donoghue (0-1). Subs: Ryan McGlynn for Paul Donoghue, Thomas Nugent for Richard Mulvey.