|
Improving Rovers are through to final A necessary change
of venue to Oxhey Park during the week helped ensure a sparse attendance
at a lively-contested penultimate stage of a competition in honour of
a former Uachtarán and founder of the County Board.
A drab afternoon did not deter both depleted teams giving their all and
keeping spectators entertained to the end.
In truth Colmcilles, who led by four points at the interval, could have
led by more but good opportunities went begging. Playing with the wind
Aaron Ó Byrne at No. 11 conducted his forward line with aplomb.
He accounted for three of his side’s opening half scores. His pinpoint
pass in the ninth minute to Neill Gallagher was delightful in its execution.
Gallagher took the cue and floated a lobbed gem over goalkeeper Jordan
Toomey into the net.
Gallagher had an outstanding opening half and controlled midfield with
partner James Lane. Both added points along with Pat Leydon and the outstanding
Plunkett McGreevey.
If Ó Byrne was the conductor at one end the Watford side had two
to split the responsibility in Gary Connolly and Richard Barros. The duo
shared their sides’ points tally in the first-half floating over
three with the lithe touch that both possess.
Upon resumption the Colmcilles’ backs were pinned down for much
of the half as the Watford side took over. Backs Diarmuid Magee and Craig
Fetherstone were outstanding but the onslaught at times was incessant.
The Watford side is a mix of youth and experience and when astute manager
Paul Connolly deployed the sprinters to the wings and maximised their
use the result was never going to be in doubt.
The sides were level at the 39th minute following points from John Brennan,
John Crowley and two from Connolly. Shortly afterwards, Connolly was limping
and moved into goal. With 10 minutes remaining, Colmcilles were visibly
tiring when No. 11 for Glen Rovers Andrew Carey blasted the ball to the
net.
With five minutes to go the Colmcilles’ goalkeeper Pat Walsh was
red-carded and Barros made no mistake as he pinpointed the corner to send
the ball past replacement keeper Adrian Slavin.
Glen Rovers will play Cambridge Parnells in the final on Sunday, November
18. |
