Newcomers Parnells shock titleholders
 By
Robert Canty
Cambridge Parnells 1-5
St. Dympnas 0-7
Hertfordshire Senior Football Round-up
The new kids on the block are causing some stir.
Cambridge Parnells defeated defending champions St. Dympnas on Sunday
at Cotlandswick and firmly announced their arrival to Senior Football
in Hertfordshire.
The students as they’ve been nicknamed were just too strong for
Dympnas running out as victors by the bare minimum.
Aided by a brisk wind Dympnas started brightly and Gary Gillespie pointed
after five minutes.
Barry MacGowan added to his side’s lead on 10 minutes as Cambridge
found it difficult to settle.
Dympnas were winning the midfield battle but despite the best efforts
of Luke Moloney they were severely hampered by the loss of the inspirational
Steve Cunningham through injury.
In the Parnells full-back line Macroom native Martin O’Connell was
imperious and his distribution and kick-outs were major factors in their
eventual success.
Five minutes into the second quarter the industrious Karl Webber picked
off a fine score to open Parnells account before setting up Liam Ryder
for a goal before half-time putting the students into the lead for the
first time in the game.
In a tie which won’t be remembered for its flowing football Parnells
added to their lead 12 minutes into the second-half when Laurence Whelan
despatched a wonderful kick over the bar. His effort was quickly followed
by another Webber point.
St. Dympnas now with their backs to the wall and trailing by three points
upped the ante and narrowed the gap as full-time approached.
However despite their best efforts Cambridge continued to hold the upper
hand and a late Maurice Fallon free ensured the students a famous victory.
In Sunday’s curtain-raiser St. Colmcilles were much too strong for
St. Vincents goaling five times and emerging victorious by nine points.
Colmcilles killed the game off as a contest early on building up a 3-1
to no-score lead after just 20 minutes. |
