Junior's escape catastrophic defeat
Post date: Oct 30, 2012 10:30:55 AM
Moycullen 2-11. Sylane 3-08
Luke Bohan scoops the ball into the net for the opening goal
Magh Cuilinn had to rely on a long range injury time free from Paul Burke to avoid exiting the Junior C1 Championship. The nightmare scenario seemed hardly possible as Moycullen controlled the game throughout but the failure to convert numerous opportunities and the concession of some poor goals saw the 2012 season almost gone.
Mágh Cuilinn were greatly on top in the opening minutes but it took several opportunities before David Bohan registered the opening score. Frank Enright converted a free before Michael Dempsey delivered a low ball across the square for Luke Bohan to sweep into the net.
Dempsey notched a goal up for himself a couple of minutes later, when he regained possession after his first effort was blocked and drove the ball across the goalkeeper from close range. With Mágh Cuilinn 2-02 to no score ahead and not flattered by it, Sylane finally got on the scoreboard with a free. Michael Dempsey responded immediately, taking possession in front of his marker and swinging over a point on the turn. Sylane began to come into the game and having won a series of 20m frees and having failed with first attempt on goal, they chose to take their points. Their three points were interrupted by two further scores from Michael Hurney after a long incisive run and Frank Enright finding some space on the right to swing over a score. Mágh Cuilinn probably deserved to be more than 2-05 to 0-04 ahead at halftime.
Michael Dempsey shoots into the net for the second goalIn second half, Mágh Cuilinn again exerted most of the pressure but seemed to be completely dependent on frees from Frank Enright, as a whole succession of players saw their efforts drift wide or drop short. An early free looked like it might kickstart CIMC but Sylane managed to maintain the seven point gap with a point from a free in return. The comeback started in earnest when they were energised by a goal similar to Michael Dempsey's first half effort, A Sylane player getting a second opportunity and shooting past a powerless Michael Darcy. The margin was now reduced to four points. The situation deteriorated further as the full back line were pressured into conceding another free close to goal. This time it was a penalty
and Sylane were minded to go for the jugular. Paul Burke looked on as this year's goalie combined with last year's goalie, John Faherty, to deflect the ball out for a 65m. When the 65m was missed, two of the aforementioned Enright frees did restore the lead to six points. It looked like Mágh Cuilinn might have weathered the storm until they received another body blow and Sylane were lifted once again. John Faherty, Michael Darcy and Paul Burke saving penalty
Goin' Goin, IN. Sylane goal No 2 Barely settled on the six point lead, Michael Darcy came forward to collect a high ball, his initial parry was flicked forward and the lone Sylane player won the three man race to touch the ball home. The game was now only had a three point margin. Mágh Cuilinn introduced Shane Barrett at centre forward and Ger Molloy at full to try to freshen things up. Frank Enright's fourth point from a free of the half stretched the lead to four points briefly with ten minutes left but Sylane responded.
Sylane were now the team playing with determination, with Mágh Cuilinn hanging on. After a succession of wides, substitute Ian Noone declined the shot on goal to score CIMC's only point from play in the second half with four minutes left. Once again, Sylane responded to restore the three point margin and supporters faces started to look a little tense.
A long ball from the right wing dropped toward goal and as David Faherty and Michael Darcy both initially went for it, both were deceived and incredibly, the sides were now level. Mágh Cuilinn missed an opportunity to respond and then conceded a 25m free. With normal time now up, Sylane went ahead for the first time in the game. The next CIMC attack resulted in a 65m. Frank Enright's delivery fell short but into the hands of Michael Hurney but he shot wide under pressure. Last chance gone? Sylane were certainly hoping the referee had forgotten their two lengthy bouts of treatment. Henry Lydon won possession from the puckout but had his jersey pulled when surging forward. Paul Burke stepped up to the long range free. Unlike an earlier effort, this one sailed high, straight and true. 2-11 to 3-08, nothing left to play, another day out.
Mágh Cuilinn: Michael Darcy, Paddy Walsh, David Faherty, Raymond Walsh, Paul Burke, Henry Lydon, John Faherty, Michael Hurney, Richard Neylon, Tommy Newell, Padraic Dunne, Luke Bohan, David Bohan, Michael Dempsey, Frank Enright:
Subs: Shane Barrett for Padraic Dunne; Ger Molloy for Michael Dempsey; Ian Noone for David Bohan
Subs Unused: Michael Faherty, Alan Kelly, David Jackson, Kevin O'Donovan, Andrew Hurney, Aodh Davoren