Division 1 FL: Douglas outclassed as Éire Óg's counter-attacking prowess the difference
Douglas' Eoghan Nash keeps possession under pressure from Eire Og's Mark Griffin and Donncha Kelly, during their Senior Football League clash at Douglas. Picture: David Keane.
Éire Óg came out on top as they hit Douglas for three goals in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League on Sunday morning, getting their first league win on the board.
Éire Óg were much the better side in Douglas – but the scoreboard didn’t reflect that until the final 60 seconds of regular time, when they finally put the game to bed.
At that stage it was 1-9 to 0-10, the Ovens outfit marginally ahead after Alan O’Hare’s converted free for Douglas followed the first of two Éire Óg black cards, with Matt Brady first to be sent to the dugout.
Éire Óg responded with a brilliantly worked goal, Jack Murphy tearing through the middle before teeing up Donncha Kelly for the close range finish. He placed it beautifully into the bottom corner.
That sealed the result, but still the visitors would get another from a counter-attacking surge.
This time Mark Griffin would make a phenomenal run, darting through three different Douglas challenges. He timed his handpass perfectly for Brian Thompson to palm it into the open net.
The goal arrived three minutes after Éire Óg had been reduced to 13, Michael Hurley the one to depart. Granted it was late in the game, but the visitors were so impressive on the counter you wouldn’t have known Douglas had a two-man advantage.
Time and time again they surged through the middle with a number of bodies. More often than not the attacking troop included Jack Murphy and Griffin. The two were phenomenal. Conor McGoldrick and Donncha Kelly impressed too on the counter.
Douglas tried to use the wings. They had some success, usually when Conor Russell got his hands on the ball. But they were outclassed.
The fact Éire Óg were only up two at the break was a surprise to both sides.
Five first half wides and three attempts rebounding off the woodwork left the hosts frustrated. They easily could have had another goal or two.
The goal Éire Óg did manage was top class. McGoldrick and Griffin combined, and the Kerry All-Ireland winner Griffin drove home the finish.
That put Éire Óg 1-2 to 0-1 in front after seven minutes. They had led from the second minute when Eoin O’Shea pointed. They would lead for the entire hour.
Douglas were able to work the scores but never got closer than two points behind. David Buckley and Shane Ahern both impressed, assisting Russell for two of his three scores.
Douglas were good in the air too, but they couldn’t make it count.
Chris Kelly struggled to find his teammates when going long from the kickouts, and Douglas got on lots of ball. But far too often a misplaced pass or carrying the ball into trouble resulted in Éire Óg turning it over and storming down the other end.
Even if it took until the clock went red – Éire Óg were able to make their pace count.
J Cunningham (3fs), C Russell 0-3 each, C Kingston, K Shanahan, A O’Hare (f), S Ahern 0-1 each.
M Griffin, D Kelly 1-1 each, B Thompson 1-0, B Hurley 0-3 (2 f), R O’Flynn, J Kelleher, R O’Toole, E O’Shea 0-1 each.
S Barron; N Walsh (c), C Kenny, J O’Callaghan Maher; N Lynch, D Buckley, J Burke; E Nash, K Shanahan; P Lucey, S Ahern, C Kingston; A Cantwell, J Cunningham, C Russell.
D O’Callaghan for Walsh (23 inj), N Hartnett for Nash (30+2 inj), S O’Leary for Lucey (37), A O’Hare for Russell (45), B Powter for Kenny (50 inj), A Cotter for Cunningham (55 inj).
C Kelly; M Corkery, M Brady, D Dineen; A McCarthy, H Murphy, D McCarthy; D Kelly, M Griffin (c); R O’Flynn, C McGoldrick, J Murphy; J Kelleher, E O’Shea, B Hurley.
R O’Toole for Kelleher (35), B Thompson for O’Flynn (48), D Healy for O’Shea (60+3).
Brian Coniry (Crosshaven)
App?
