Carnaross 1-11 Dunsany 0-13

Junior A Championship (Round 4)

Played in Kildalkey - 24/7/2017

Carnaross and Dunsany served up an enthralling encounter in a perfectly presented and sun-kissed Kildalkey pitch where both teams once again demonstrated how evenly matched they are. The contest ebbed and flowed until finally Carnaross emerged one point victors in an absorbing and tension-ridden tie that engrossed and delighted the sizeable crowd that were present.

Carnaross began at a blistering pace that Dunsany simply couldn't handle. Frank O'Reilly awoke from his recent weekend slumber to split the posts with the outside of his boot. Carnaross then doubled their advantage as Dunsany struggled to get a foothold. Dunsany desperately sought out a leader from their parish to stem the tide but not in the form of the local Teagasc trailblazer, Flattery who had other ideas. He rose highest to claim the mark from the resulting kick-out and set off on an explosive solo run bouncing off the hapless Dunsany defenders before threading the ball by the onrushing keeper.

Dunsany responded and began to match Carnaross for the remainder of the half as they gradually reined in the North Meath men. Carnaross however continued to open up the beaten Junior finalists at will with Charles Brogan and John L McGee completing well worked moves.   The game developed into a captivating and open clash with both teams committing numbers forward in a positive and refreshing manner. Frank O'Reilly continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with 3 frees but Dunsany's Brennan was equal to the task leaving it 1-6 to 0-7 at half time in favour of the Carnaross men.

Carnaross' explosive start was gradually curbed by Dunsany who simply refused to lie down when they weren't firing on all cylinders. Eventually the game settled and Carnaross were disappointed not to be further ahead after dominating the first 15 minutes but Dunsany had all the momentum with them heading into the eagerly anticipated second period.

The second half continued just at the first had ended with Dunsany continuing their dominance. However a combination of wayward shooting and full blooded defending by the maroon and saffron men ensured Dunsany remained at arm's length. Both teams endured a fallow period as the game entered the pivotal third quarter. The teams naturally tired as the game progressed ensuring an increase in tension, intensity, mistakes and most of all a steady increase in robust tackles as they both fought for supremacy. Dunsany chipped away at the lead despite the fact that the Carnaross full back line were excelling. Niall McDonnell got through trojan work on the day and his valiant effort was rewarded when he split the posts midway through the half. Dermot McGee led by example also by driving at the Dunsany rear-guard to open up his account for the day.

Dunsany introduced a wave of substitutes which injected new life into their cause shooting them into a 2 point lead with 7 minutes remaining.  McGee and McDonnell were then denied goal chances that they carved out themselves as the game looked to be slipping away from the despairing hoops. However the industrious Cillian Comaskey began a late revival chipping over a simple score that sparked hope in the ranks. Frank O'Reilly drew the sides level after converting a score from an acute angle as the spectators waited with baited breath for more drama to unfold. Twice Dunsany were foiled by expert defending but Carnaross struggled to capitalise and the winning score remained elusive. The referee was hard pressed to keep tabs on an intense and tumultuous affair but correctly played over 5 minutes additional time and shyed away from blowing up early for the easy option of the draw. In the final play of the game, Carnaross dispossessed their opponents and worked it through the hands until the ball fell to the captain Dermot McGee, who gleefully split the posts ensuring Carnaross emerged victorious, just.

It was an incredibly even contest which had all the makings of a draw but thankfully this encounter wasn't the 4th draw of the championship in Group B. Dunsany will feel terribly aggrieved to have nothing to show for their tremendous effort but Carnaross got the bounce of the ball when the game was in the balance. On such fine margins are games won or lost but thankfully on a perfect evening for championship football, Carnaross got that elusive rub of the green.

Carnaross: Conor Kenny; Peter Shay Farrelly, Tomás Plunkett, Liam Brogan; Cian Gillic, Ian Donoghue, Sam Reynolds; Dermot McGee (0-2), Cillian Comaskey (0-1); Niall McDonnell (0-1), Frank O'Reilly (0-5, 0-3fs), Stephen Flattery (1-0); Liam Day, Charles Brogan (0-1), John L McGee (0-1); Subs: Killian Porter for Liam Day; Cormac O'Reilly for Stephen Flattery; Thomas Nugent for Killian Porter

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