Carnaross were comprehensive victors on their opening game of the season against Kilmainhamwood in the Tailteann Cup.

Carnaross 2-15 Kilmainhamwood 0-7

Tailteann Cup (Round 1)
Played in Kilmainhamwood – 1/2/2020

Kilmainhamwood struggled to get to terms with Carnaross’ blistering start but kept plugging away and refused to lie down.

Carnaross gave competitive starts to Cian McGlynn in midfield and Shane O’Reilly in the forwards. Both impressed over the hour with their speed and work rate. Carnaross raced out of the blocks early on kicking 5 unanswered points, despite playing against the wind. Niall McDonnell was proving difficult for the Wood’s defence as he helped himself to 3 early points from play. Carnaross kept the ball in hand working it up the well-presented pitch for Dillon Fox and Frank O’Reilly to convert.

The backs worked tirelessly to dispossess their opponents and one of these occasions, Cian Gillic whipped a ball in over the top with the outside of his boot to set up a certain goal that Niall McDonnell duly converted. This sparked life into the Wood and they began to look dangerous on the counter, racking up 3 points in a row. Carnaross finished the half strongly again tagging on two more points to lead 1-7 to 0-3 at the turn of ends.

In the second half, both teams tired as the calves tightened and the pitch softened. This led to a more open encounter which was laden with mistakes. Carnaross spurned a number of scoring opportunities due to picking the wrong option but eventually found their rhythm again. The defenders were working the ball out of defence expertly but the forwards were struggling to convert these opportunities. Cormac Yore helped himself to 2 points that fizzed over the crossbar.

Shane O’Reilly clipped over 2 points that his performance duly merited. Luke Gillic’s rampaging runs ended up with a trademark powerful score as the game began to wind up. Killian Porter finished cleverly to the net after a well worked team move to dash any hopes of a comeback for the home side. Kilmainhamwood introduced a wave of substitutes that reinvigorated their cause and they almost found the net themselves only to be denied by Shane McNiffe in goals. Niall McDonnell and Frank O’Reilly added to their tallies and Shane Casserly extended the lead as the game came to a gradual halt.

Carnaross will be pleased with the overall workrate of the team at this early stage of the season. Kilmainhamwood will rue their slow start as they remained competitive throughout. Carnaross will now play Moynalty in the final round of the Tailteann Cup with the winner progressing to the semi-final of the competition.

Carnaross: Shane McNiffe, Ian Donoghue, Tomás Plunkett, Jack Roche, Peter Carpenter, Cian O’Reilly, Cian Gillic, Cian McGlynn, Cillian Comaskey, Dillon Fox (0-1), Frank O’Reilly (0-3), Luke Gillic (0-1), Niall McDonnell (1-5), Cormac Yore (0-2), Shane O’Reilly (0-2). Subs: Shane Casserly (0-1) for Fox, Killian Porter for Comaskey, Daniel Roche for Cian Gillic, Cormac O’Reilly for McGlynn, Seán Carpenter for Carpenter.