Division 1 FL: Daniel Goulding kicks the winner as Éire Óg edge past Newcestown 

Éire Óg: 0-15 (0-2-11) 

Newcestown: 1-11 (1-0-11) 

Éire Óg took another step towards safety as Daniel Goulding struck the winner to edge past Newcestown in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League at Ovens on Thursday evening.

The Muskerry side have now put back-to-back victories together and move to seven points from eight games with just one round remaining. They are now joint-sixth with St Finbarr's.

Éire Óg showed the same panache that marked their away win over Carbery Rangers nearly a fortnight ago, and they did it without Darragh Clifford, who was tied up with Cork commitments.

They led by two at the interval, but a draw looked likely until Goulding stepped up once more, converting a free in front of goal — a decision that irritated Newcestown, who felt the award was soft.

Newcestown remain on eight points after suffering only their second defeat of the league campaign. Carthach Keane, who plays for Newcestown and coaches Éire Óg, was present but very much a bystander.

Éire Óg started brightly with points from a Chris Kelly 45 and Johnny Galvin. In Newcestown’s first meaningful attack after six minutes, Luke Meade was denied what looked a certain goal, with Michael Corkery doing brilliantly on the line.

Luke Meade did get Newcestown moving with a fisted point, but two quick-fire scores pushed Éire Óg 0-4 to 0-1 ahead after 13 minutes.

Newcestown then took control for the next spell, with Colm O’Donovan and Eoghan Collins seeing a world of ball. The Carbery men led 1-4 to 0-5 with nine minutes to the break, Jack Meade finishing powerfully to the net after a splendid Humphrey Canty pass. Canty also clipped over a sweet point during that scoring run.

An unorthodox orange flag from Donncha Kelly levelled matters before Mark Griffin nudged Éire Óg back in front. Luke Meade replied for Newcestown to leave the sides deadlocked again on 0-8 to 1-5 after 27 minutes.

Éire Óg finished the half strongly, with points from Daire McCarthy and Jack Murphy sending them in 0-10 to 1-5 ahead.

Eoin Fehily’s side continued in the same vein on the restart. Chris Kelly knocked over another 45 seconds after Jerome Kelleher might have rattled the net. A close range Eddie Kenneally free kept Newcestown in touch, and Canty soon cut the gap to the minimum.

A two-point free from Goulding restored a 0-13 to 1-7 cushion after 41 minutes, but a pair of scores from the evergreen Tadhg Twomey left just one between them again.

The teams traded points until Jack Meade levelled with six minutes remaining. The next score didn’t arrive until added time, when Goulding tapped over a free — ultimately the winner despite Newcestown’s late push.

Scorers for Éire Óg: D Goulding 0-5 (1 2pt f, 0-3 f), C Kelly (0-2 45), D Kelly (1 2pt) 0-2 each, D McCarthy, M Griffin, O O’Shea, J Kelleher, J Galvin, J Murphy 0-1 each.

Newcestown: J Meade 1-3 (0-1 f), L Meade, T Twomey, H Canty 0-2 each, E Kenneally (f), N Murray 0-1 each.

ÉIRE ÓG: C Kelly; C Murphy, M Corkery, J Mullins; D McCarthy, M Griffin, D Dineen; C McGoldrick, M Kelleher; D Kelly, O O’Shea, J Kelleher; D Goulding, J Galvin, J Murphy.

Subs: K Beechinor for M Kelleher (48), B Hurley for O O’Shea (59).

NEWCESTOWN: C White; J Kelleher, C O’Donovan, J Burrows; R O’Sullivan, M McSweeney, N Murray; E Collins, J Kenneally; L Meade, T Twomey, D McAree; J Meade, E Kenneally, H Canty.

Subs: E McSweeney for C White (h-t), F Kenneally for E Kenneally (43).

Referee: Ciarán Murphy (Glanworth).