Caranaross 2-09 Longwood 2-09

After two losses on the spin in Division 4, Carnaross made the trip to South Meath to emerge with a share of the spoils with hosts Longwood.

Carnaross played with the aid of a strong breeze in the first half. Longwood kept 13 men behind the ball making scores difficult to come by. After numerous long distance efforts were shot wide of the Longwood posts, the home side struck for a goal against the run of play. Undeterred, Carnaross stuck to their guns and replied with two Paddy McDermott efforts. The Ross began to dominate the midfield sector with Mossy Plunkett and Dermot McGee sending over long range efforts to edge the North Meath men in front. Shane Casserly and Oisín Yore turned the ball over on numerous occasions thwarting many Longwood attacks. Conor Kenny made an excellent one handed save when Sean Coloe looked to a add a second major for the Wood. It was a bruising encounter with both sides enjoying Gus Martyn’s lenient whistle blowing. Mossy Plunkett started to throw his weight around with Mickey “The Honeybadger” Burke feeling the full effect of the beef farmer. Eventually Longwood’s defensive system broke down when a wayward kickout was intercepted by Cillian Comaskey who eventually finished it to the back of the net. At half time , the visitors led 1-04 to 1-01.

Longwood changed tactics completely, going far less defensive in the second half, which led to a more open and entertaining contest. Cian O’Reilly strode forward to cleverly convert an advanced mark before McDermott grabbed his third. Longwood began to turn the screw utilizing the wind to their advantage. They hemmed Carnaross in while reeling off 4 points in a row. A head injury to Shane Yore came at a critical point that cooled the Longwood resurgence with a 2 minute break in play. The game then settled into an even contest with both sides trading scores. Paddy McDermott added a point from play and a free to keep the sides level with 10minutes remaining. Carnaross were soaking up the pressure well with James O’Connor and substitute Adam Kerins picking up a lot of breaking ball. The turning point came when Carnaross broke with speed up the pitch, in a lovely free flowing move, which ended in John L McGee setting up Cillian Comaskey to blast to an empty net, after the Longwood keeper was caught out at the half way line. Charlie Murphy added a well-judged score from an acute angle as Carnaross looked to have grabbed the precious 2 points on offer. As the game entered added time, Longwood became desperate and struck gold when a high ball ricocheted off the leg of a Carnaross defender for their forward to tap in. They struck the equalizer with a fine long range free by Ryan Moore to ensure both sides left with something.

It was a frustrating end to the game after an incredibly positive and whole-hearted performance against Intermediate side, Longwood. Our next encounter sees us lock horns with neighbours Gaeil Colmcille in Páirc Naomh Chiaráin this Friday night at 8pm.

Carnaross: Conor Kenny, John Reilly, James O’Connor, Jack Roche, Pierce Fleming, Oisín Yore, Shane Yore, Dermot McGee(0-1), Mossy Plunkett(0-1), Charlie Murphy (0-1), Paddy McDermott (0-5), Shane Casserly, Darragh O’Reilly, Cillian Comaskey (2-0), Cian O’Reilly (0-1). Subs: Adam Kerins, John L McGee, Liam Day and Aidan Lynch.

 

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