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J-Lo on song as Mitchels hold their nerve
 An
exemplary display of usage of the dead ball by James Loney gave John Mitchels
a three-point victory over Roger Casements at Pairc na hÉireann
on Sunday despite a Kieran Boyle-inspired second-half comeback by the
Coventry side.
Aided by the warm conditions both sides fought tooth and nail for the
cause however in the battle of the dead ball it was Loney who ultimately
proved decisive.
With the breeze in their favour, Mitchels fired in front after Niall Corrigan’s
darting run allowed the midfielder to slot over from close range.
Michael Bergin was on hand to equalise soon after however it was Mitchels
who were to utilise the breeze to good effect as the half advanced. Four
scores in 10 minutes from Loney stretched the lead to four points before
Corrigan sent over a huge score from the middle of the park.
Whatever Corrigan could do Kieran Grace could match as from an identical
position he caught the breeze to point in superb fashion.
Two further Loney frees gave Mitchels an eight-point lead going into the
change of ends however with the wind playing its part this match was far
from over.
Casements were testing the waters with some quick balls into their forward
line and Boyle was on hand to capitalise from the dead ball, pointing
twice in the space of a few opening second-half minutes.
Boyle was certainly finding his mark from outfield and he curled over
a superb sideline ball on 50 minutes to reduce the gap to five.
Full-forward Darren Heenahan got in on the act soon after to land his
first of the game whilst at the other end Mitchels were steadying the
ship through points from Declan Gallagher and Loney once more.
Heenahan kept Casements on the comeback trail with another point as they
reduced the gap to just two.
With the pressure on, Loney stepped up to a sideline ball and landed a
point with expert skill with time ebbing away.
It was a key score that stretched the gap to three as the minutes became
sparse.
Casements had the chance to level it in the closing moments and but for
some alert keeping from Tommy Harkin they may have found that elusive
goal.
Yet it was Mitchels who kept their nerve to take home a three-point victory
in front of a bumper crowd. |
