St Michael’s book their spot in the play-off series of the Seandún JAFC with victory over Nemo Rangers
Referee James Regan, accompanied by Alan Nolan (St. Michael's) and Aaron Browne (Nemo Rangers) before their JAFC clash in Ballinlough.
St. Michael’s have booked their place in the play-off series of the AOS Security Seandún Junior A Football Championship, as they eliminated defending champions Nemo Rangers in blustery conditions at Ballinlough.
St. Michael’s made the most of the elements in the opening half as they played a more open game, while the Trabeg side were more dependent on scores from frees.
St. Michael’s got the game’s only two-pointer, seven minutes from time, which ensured their place in the next round.
St. Michael’s took the lead within two minutes of the throw-in, courtesy of a point from play by Tadhg Deasy.
Nemo Rangers promptly began to seize the initiative as persistent fouling was proving to be costly for St. Michael’s.
Aaron Browne opened the Trabeg side’s account, as he converted the game’s opening free. Bill Twohig tagged on a point from play to give Nemo Rangers a lead of 0-2 to 0-1.
The Trabeg side soon found themselves pinned back as wayward kick-outs were proving to be their undoing.
St. Michael’s regained the lead as, Deasy, Robbie Cotter and Luke Fogarty each scored unanswered points.
Nemo Rangers created the first goal-scoring opportunity midway through the opening half, but Bill Twohig saw his effort foiled by a spectacular save by St. Michael’s net-minder Martin Burke.
St. Michael’s also had their moments, but wayward shooting was to be their undoing.
Browne responded as he converted his second free for the Trabeg side, to leave the minimum between the sides. Browne also saw his shot direct from a 45 sail narrowly wide of the target.
Nemo Rangers were back on the defensive as Cotter added a hat-trick of unanswered points, to leave St. Michael’s leading 0-7 to 0-3 at the break.
St. Michael’s continued to have the Trabeg side on the back foot from the resumption.
In the 33rd minute, Fogarty set up David Hogan for the game’s opening goal for St. Michael’s.
Nemo Rangers promptly replied with a point from play by Pádraig O’Dwyer, but this was cancelled out by Cotter’s fifth point, as St. Michael’s led by 1-8 to 0-4.
Midway through the second half the Trabeg side had St. Michael’s camped deep in their own half of the field.
Browne slotted over his third pointed free in the 44th minute.
Three minutes later, Nemo Rangers reduced the margin to a one score game as Ryan Kennedy set up Fiachra Twohig for the Trabeg side’s goal, which left three points between the sides.
In the final quarter, Deasy landed the game’s only two-pointer, which increased St. Michael’s lead to 1-10 to 1-5.
Browne slotted over his fourth pointed free for Nemo Rangers, before Cotter added his sixth point entering stoppage time.
Fiachra Twohig completed the scoring with a point from play for the Trabeg side.
R Cotter 0-6 (0-1f); T Deasy 0-4 (1 2pt); D Hogan 1-0; L Fogarty 0-1.
A Browne 0-4f; F Twohig 1-1; P O’Dwyer, B Twohig 0-1 each.
M Burke; J O’Sullivan, A Ó Drisceoil, A O’Brien; N Cashman, A Nolan, J Dineen; M O’Keeffe, P Doyle; M Drummond, D Hogan, D O’Sullivan; R Cotter, L Fogarty, T Deasy.
S Ahern for Doyle (h/t), L O’Sullivan for D O’Sullivan (47).
C Martin; A McGowan, B O’Connor, D Egan; C Kavanagh, E Dilloughrey, D Mellerick; I Nolan, F Twohig; P O’Dwyer, A Browne, B Twohig; R Hogan, R Kennedy, S Nagle.
C Power for R Hogan (36), G Barrett for Nagle (38), J McLoughlin for Kennedy (54),
James Regan (Lough Rovers).
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