Glanmire minor footballers off to a flying start in Premier 1 opener against Na Piarsaigh

Glanmire 4-9 (4-0-9) Na Piarsaigh 0-6 (0-0-6) 

A magnificent second half by Glanmire was good enough for them to secure a win over a battling Na Piarsaigh side in the Cork ETB Premier 1 Minor football Championship at Glanmire on Monday.

The home side were quickest from the blocks with Tom Hurley kicking a classy point in the second minute with Na Piarsaigh’s defence immediately looking under pressure.

There was little doubt the height and energy of Glanmire’s centre-field pairing of Cathal Barrett and Isaac Barrett was posing the Farranree outfit problems.

Credit to the visitors, they continued to battle and Jamie Coughlan kicked a magnificent point in the sixth minute as their dogged approach was rewarded. Glanmire had the majority of possession in the opening 10 minutes but their kicking was poor as they accumulated five sides in this period.

Despite having less possession, Na Piarsaigh edged ahead in the 12th minute when Cory O’Sullivan produced a stunning point. After going 16 minutes without registering a score Glanmire responded in style when Cork minor hurling captain Eoin Considine fisted a point. 

A minute later, Na Piarsaigh were stunned into submission with a sucker punch goal. A high ball wasn’t dealt with and fell into the path of Cathal Galvin, whose shot hit the back of the net with power.

Na Piarsaigh almost raised their own green flag soon but Jamie Coughlan’s shot was superbly saved by goalkeeper Zach Deane.

The visitors finished the half in style when Jack Burke kicked a wonderful point that ensured they reduced the deficit to the minimum, 1-2 to 0-4 after a competitive but low-scoring opening 30 minutes.

The movement of Coughlan continued to pose Glanmire’s defence problems and he levelled just 39 seconds into the restart.

Glanmire responded in style. Mathew Sullivan powered through and found the back of the net with precision.

The hosts were on top now and a classy Isaac Barrett white flag gave them a three-point lead in the 40th minute.

After playing outstanding defence for the opening half Na Piarsaigh looked vulnerable and were punished with a stunning second Galvin goal three minutes later.

The remainder of the game was dominated by Glanmire as turnovers continued to hurt the visitors and a fourth goal from substitute Alex Bollard put the icing on the cake for the winners.

Scorers for Glanmire: C Galvin 2-2 (0-1 f), M Sullivan 1-1, A Bollard 1-0, E Considine 0-2, T Hurley, I Bennett, C McMahon, C Kelly 0-1 each.

Na Piarsaigh: J Coughlan, R Cronin 0-2 each, C O’Sullivan, J Burke (0-1 each).

GLANMIRE: Z Deane; S Carey, A Soltani, R Dennehy; F Conway, T O’Flynn, D Pomperoy; C Kelly, I Barrett; A McCarthy, C Galvin, B Murphy; T Hurley, E Considine, M Sullivan.

Subs: C McMahon for A McCarthy (37), R Murphy for B Murphy (38), A Bollard for M Sullivan (49), M Cronin for T Hurley (52), A Naughton for F Conway (52).

NA PIARSAIGH: C Quinn, J O’Connor, R Quinlan, D O’Leary; R Manley, R Cronin, D Casey; J Burke, C O’Sullivan; J Cahalane, J Coughlan, P Foley; D Downey, L Hurley, A Crowley.

Subs: S O’Neill for D Downey (40), D Downey for P Foley (50).

Referee: Michael Carey (Bride Rovers).