Carnaross bounced back to get their first victory of the 2021 Balreask Arms Junior Championship against a steely Kilmainhamwood outfit in Carlanstown.
Junior Championship (Round 2)
Played in Carlanstown – 29/8/2021
Hurting after the Boardsmill defeat, The Ross burst out of the blocks registering the first 3 points of the game. Frank O’Reilly converted a point from play and a free before Darragh O’Reilly floated one over. Then Kilmainhamwood sprung to life with a well taken goal with their first meaningful attack. Darragh O’Reilly doubled his tally after swinging one over with his left but this was the last score before a barren period that yielded 6 wides for the Hoops. The wastefulness of Carnaross doubled with the tenacious Wood defending kept the match very even on the scoreboard. In reality Carnaross were dominating but couldn’t reflect this on the scoreboard.
Frank O’Reilly was then given an unmerciful kick up the backside from the goalkeeper that resulted in him being yellow carded and conceding a penalty. Frank converted the penalty with aplomb to create a bit of daylight between the two sides. Dillon Fox kept the scoreboard ticking over with a fine effort before Frank marauded through the Wood defence to grab his second goal of the afternoon. At half time, Carnaross held a 7 point lead at the turn of ends.
Kilmainhamwood started the brighter of the teams in the second half. They kicked 3 points without return before Cian O’Reilly drifted forward to split the posts and curb Kilmainhamwood’s momentum. Cian McGlynn embarked on a solo run that was worth the admission fee alone that involved 3 defenders tackling him but culminated in him shrugging off their attentions before rifling a low shot into the net.
All signs pointed to Carnaross running out comfortable winners but Kilmainhamwood dominated the next 15 minutes. They began to pick off Carnaross with some fine efforts from play combined with well taken frees after some ill-discipline by the Carnaross players.
Brothers Daragh and Cian O'Reilly kicked over points respectively bringing their combined total to 5 points for the day. The wily Wood however, reduced the deficit to 3 with 10 minutes remaining and went for the jugular when they broke though the Ross rearguard. Fortunately for the men in maroon and saffron, Peewee’s goal bound effort was tipped over the bar by McNiffe in goals.
Carnaross finally re-established their foothold in proceedings and kicked over the last 2 scores to insure victory. It was a tension ridden conclusion to a match that Carnaross dominated but credit to Kilmainhamwood who dug in and fought till the bitter end.
Carnaross move on to the final group game where they face St Brigid's to determine 2nd place in the group.
Carnaross: Shane McNiffe, Tomas Plunkett, Cormac O’Reilly, Jack Roche, Ian Donoghue, Cian O’Reilly (0-2), Pierce Fleming, James O’Connor, Cian McGlynn (1-0), Darragh O’Reilly (0-3), Dillon Fox (0-1), Cormac Yore, Shane Casserly, Frank O’Reilly (2-5), Odhran Farrelly. Subs: Paddy Farnan, Shane O’Reilly and Peter Carpenter.
