FL Division 1: David Buckley stars as Newcestown earn first victory
Newcestown's David Buckley tries to get away from Paul Hodnett of Newcestown during Sunday morning's McCarthy Insurance Group FL Division 1 game in Newcestown. Picture: Jim Coughlan
Newcestown picked up their first victory of the McCarthy Insurance Group FL Division 1 campaign as they pushed on well in the closing stages at home to Carbery Rangers on Sunday morning.
While the visitors, who had lost to Clonakilty in their opening fixture, moved into a 1-2 to 0-1 lead after Paul Hodnett converted a first-half penalty, Newcestown responded well despite playing into the stiff breeze. A goal from centre-back Micheál McSweeney helped them to lead by 1-6 to 1-5 at half-time and the first four points of the second half - with David Buckley excellent - gave them breathing space.
However, dissent led to a free being brought forward and Hodnett's two-point free cut a five-point deficit to three; then, after a similar offence from the sideline, the Rosscarbery club's attacker had the chance to make it a one-point game on 41 minutes. Unfortunately for him, his shot bounced back off the crossbar and a Buckley free moved Newcestown four ahead again before Cormac O'Sullivan set up Joe Kenneally, who was unlucky to see his shot whistle just over the crossbar.
With eight minutes left, Ross again made a dent in their deficit as Conor Twomey's good work led to a Darragh Hayes goal, leaving it 1-12 to 2-7, but again Newcestown came back well. Carthach Keane - having just come on, at 40 the junior partner in a substitution featuring 42-year-old Tadgh Twomey - kicked a good point before a two-point free from Buckley brought his tally to seven.
A Brian Hodnett point for Ross - a goal might have accrued - left four in it but it was to be their last score as Richard O'Sullivan's point for Newcestown was followed by a single and a double from Keane, to leave eight points in it at the end.
With the wind, Ross had begun well. Early on, a good catch by Brian Shanahan gave him a goal chance and, while Eoin McSweeney saved, the full-forward had had advantage and John O'Rourke converted the free. At the other end, Luke Meade tested Paul Shanahan but, with Ross leading by 0-2 to 0-1, Brian Hodnett was fouled following a good move - a penalty was awarded and he stroked the ball home himself for a five-point advantage.
That was the 13th minute but they were to go scoreless until just before half-time as Newcestown took control, with Seán O'Donovan and Eoghan Collins on top in midfield while Colm O'Donovan excelled at full-back. On 20 minutes, it was 1-2 to 0-3 to the visitors when Richard O'Sullivan's good turnover allowed the influential McSweeney to exchange passes with Luke Meade before finishing to the net - it gave them the lead for the first time and they would not trail again.
Buckley's strong ball-carrying was allied to some fine shooting and it was he who set up a point for the rampaging Colm O'Donovan to make it 1-5 to 1-3 on 24. However, a three-up breach allowed Paul Hodnett to end Ross's drought with a two-pointer and Darragh Hayes had them level. They might even have moved back in front with a goal but Eoin McSweeney was out well to smother Kelan Scannell's effort.
Instead, a good Buckley free sent Newcestown in with the lead and he doubled the margin on the restart with his fourth of the day. The lead was strengthened with efforts from Colm Dinneen and Cormac O'Sullivan before Joe Kenneally's lovely effort from a tight angle made it 1-10 to 1-5.
It would not be all plain sailing from there to the end but Newcestown were good value for the victory.
App?
