Intermediate Football Championship 2015
April 12: Ferns St Aidans 1-11, Taghmon/Camross 0-9
Ferns St Aidans got their Lodgewood Intermediate Football Championship campaign off to a winning start as they overcame the challenge of Taghmon/Camross by five points in Bree on Sunday afternoon.
The Ferns men were good value for their victory, as they led all the way after a Patrick Breen goal on nine minutes – although that could have been different if Taghmon/Camross had been more accurate with their shooting, in the third quarter in particular, as they had five wides in a row between the 36th and 42nd minutes.
Ferns, under the guidance of former county star Colm Morris, were just that bit sharper and quicker throughout the game, and indeed were off to a flyer as Benny Jordan had the opening point of the game after less than 30 seconds. Alan Nolan replied for Taghmon/Camross a minute later and Ryan Nolan then knocked over a free for Ferns, before he also started a move that culminated in Aaron Collier providing the assist to Patrick Breen for the ninth minute goal that was to give Ferns a cushion for the rest of the game, and prove just too much for Taghmon/Camross to claw back.
Ferns went on to lead by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break, but Taghmon/Camross had the first two scores of the second half – through Seamie McLoughlin, and a Darren Carty goalbound shot that was touched over the bar by Ferns goalkeeper Martin O’Connor. Benny Jordan then restored a two-point lead for the Ferns men, before Taghmon suffered that wasteful period of shooting, and they were then punished by Ryan Nolan then converting a free at the other end to make it 1-8 to 0-8 as the game entered the closing quarter.
Midfielder Ian Carty narrowed the gap again as he pointed for Taghmon/Camross on 49 minutes, but Ferns again had a goal to spare as defender Ciarán Roberts made his way up the field to score a rare point with six to go. Taghmon/Camross failed to score again in the closing stages, while Tommy Dwyer and Ryan Nolan (free) added insurance points for Ferns, seeing out a deserved victory.
Ferns St Aidans: Martin O’Connor; Declan Byrne, Pádraig Bolger, Pat Nolan; Robert Vickers, James Tonks, Ciarán Roberts (0-1); Jamie Whelan, Ian Byrne; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Benny Jordan (0-2), Peter Nolan (0-1); Aaron Collier (0-1), Patrick Breen (1-0), Ryan Nolan (0-5, 4 frees). Subs: Jonny Dwyer for Peter Nolan; Brian O’Neill for Vickers; Ben Cowman for Collier; Patrick Codd for Breen.
Taghmon/Camross: Sean O’Gorman; Matthew Doyle, Robert Nolan, Darren Colfer; Mark O’Gorman, Alan Nolan (0-1), Darren Carty (0-1); Barry O’Gorman (0-2), Ian Carty (0-1); Eoin Doyle (0-1), Seamie McLoughlin (0-2, 1 free), Conor O’Keefe; Stephen O’Gorman, Pat Nolan, Pierce Doyle. Sub: Derek O’Hanlon for Pat Nolan (inj.)
Referee: Barry Redmond (Clonard)
April 19: Ballyhogue 3-11, Ferns St Aidans 0-9
Ferns proved no match for Ballyhogue on Sunday at St Patrick’s Park as the blues easily got the better of the red and white men in the second round of the Lodgewood Engineering Intermediate Football Championship Group A.
From the off, Ballyhogue seemed much more comfortable with their passes and passages of play. Their midfielder, Syl Byrne, wasn’t slow off the mark in claiming the first point as his solo run brushed by the Ferns full back line in the opening minute.
The focussed Ballyhogue squad managed to set the bar high, following soon after with two powerful goals from Denis Leacy and Conor Byrne.
Ferns struggled to pick their heads up but eventually replied, with Jonathon Dwyer supplying two points before Tommy Dwyer and Patrick Breen followed suit.
The quick Ballyhogue forward, Noel Roche, posed a serious threat throughout, and he guided the next two balls over the bar after fouls on his team-mates. Eddie Galavan also joined the scoring spree, adding two points for Ballyhogue before the half-time whistle blew.
With quite a significant lead at the break, Ballyhogue managed to progress this further after the throw-in ball. Roche once again popped up, this time firing two balls over the bar from play.
Syl Byrne claimed a fantastic point before playing a key role in setting up Denis Leacy for his second goal, which beautifully found the roof of the Ferns net. Shane Roche also secured his name on the Ballyhogue score-sheet with a good point.
Roche continued his work with a fine point from play before Shane Byrne’s talent for catching the high ball helped him do likewise. Ryan Nolan and Ian Byrne ended matters with two points for Ferns, but overall they were no match for Ballyhogue.
Ferns St Aidans: Martin O’Connor; Declan Byrne, Padraig Bolger, Pat Nolan; Brian O’Neill, James Tonks, Ciaran Roberts; Jamie Whelan, Ian Byrne (0-1); Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Aaron Collier, Jonny Dwyer (0-4); Ryan Nolan (0-2, 1 free), Patrick Breen (0-1), Ben Cowman. Subs: Patrick Codd for O’Connor, Colm Whelan for Collier.
Ballyhogue: Myles Roche; John Roche, Sean Rochford, Graham Parker; James Parle, Shane Doyle, Tomas Moriarty; Syl Byrne (0-2), Shane Byrne (0-2); Noel Roche (0-5, 2 frees), Eddie Galavan (0-2, 1 free), John Kehoe; Liam Kelly, Denis Leacy (2-0), Conor Byrne (1-0). Sub: Hugh O’Neill for Galavan.
Referee: Noel Stafford (Clongeen)
August 2: Ferns St Aidans 1-14, HWH-Bunclody 1-7
Ferns St. Aidans picked up their second win, a mightily impressive one, against an outplayed HWH-Bunclody in the Lodgewood Engineering Intermediate football championship Group A at Farmleigh on Sunday.
Half Way House came into the game unbeaten and looking to secure their spot in the quarter-finals with a victory. However, Ferns had other ideas and they were more than worthy of their win.
Particularly in the first-half they were so much crisper. The passing was precise, the shooting was excellent, and often the barometer of a team going well, the running without the ball was intelligent and purposeful.
It all led to a reasonably comfortable afternoon for Ferns. They fell 0-2 to 0-1 behind on the back of two Darren Kehoe frees but were soon ahead. Patrick Codd had a fantastic game for the victors and three of his points helped his club to go 0-6 to 0-2 clear at the end of the first quarter.
Bunclody managed just the one Steven Finn point from play in the opening half but Ferns continued to motor and with four more points, including two from the dangerous Ian Byrne, the half-time lead swelled to six (0-10 to 0-4).
That advantage had grown further when Christopher O'Connor's high ball into space in front of goal took a huge hop and bounced over Paul Finn to where the appreciative Codd lurked and punched to the empty net.
Trailing by 1-14 to 0-6, Bunclody hit back with a fifth point from Darren Kehoe and followed it with a goal when Aidan Nolan sprinted through the heart of the Ferns defence and dispatched a shot across Jason Maguire to the rigging.
Bunclody did have a few other late chances as they went looking for goals but they would have only served to pad the margin of defeat. Both sides are on four points and will be looking to confirm their quarter-final spots this weekend.
Ferns St. Aidans: Jason Maguire; Declan Byrne, Pádraig Bolger, Brian O'Neill; James Tonks (capt.), Tommy Dwyer, Ciarán Roberts (0-1); Colm Whelan, Ian Byrne (0-3); Colin Breen, Patrick Codd (1-6, 0-2 frees), Keith Breen; Christopher O'Connor, Tomás Hawkins (0-1), Ryan Nolan (0-2 frees). Subs. - Ben Cowman (0-1) for K. Breen (27), Aaron Collier (0-1) for Hawkins, inj. (31), Jamie Whelan for C. Whelan (45), Jonny Dwyer for Codd, inj. (52).
HWH-Bunclody: Paul Finn; Billy Kelly, John Atkinson, Enda Slevin (0-1); Steven Finn (0-1), Seán Kenny, Conor Crean; James Moorhead, Aidan Nolan (1-0); Eoin Kelly, Keith O'Hara, Conor Kinsella (capt.); Mark Sheehan, Darren Kehoe (0-5 frees), Kevin Dunne. Subs. - Colm Farrell for Crean (31), Barry Kehoe for E. Kelly (48), Jamie John Murphy for Sheehan (48), Martin O'Connor for O'Hara (54).
Referee: John Carton (Monageer-Boolavogue).
August 8: Glynn/Barntown 4-12, Ferns St Aidans 1-5
Glynn/Barntown had it all their own way against Ferns St. Aidans at Bellefield on Saturday afternoon as they maintained their 100 per cent record in Group A of the Lodgewood Engineering Intermediate Football Championship.
The game was already good as over after just ten minutes, when Glynn/Barntown led by 1-5 to 0-0 and Ferns hadn’t even managed a shot at goal. The goal had come from full forward Craig Doyle just after Brendan Doyle had opened the scoring with a fine point, and points from placed balls from Michael O’Regan (three) and Rioghnan Crosbie (one) completed the Glynn/Barntown scoring in that opening period.
Then, just for good measure, they bagged another goal.
Robert Dempsey was this time the scorer, pouncing to stroke home the rebound after Ian Moran’s initial shot was well saved by Ferns goalkeeper Jason Maguire, and further points from Crosbie again (free) and wing back Cian Neville meant it became 2-7 to 0-0 after 20 minutes.
Ferns finally managed a shot and a score after 25 minutes as Patrick Codd knocked over a free, and that completed the first half scoring.
The second half brought more of the same. Glynn/Barntown added three more points in its opening stages while Tommy Dwyer doubled the Ferns tally, and then Craig Doyle just waltzed through for his second goal of the game, making it 3-10 to 0-2 on 35 minutes.
Substitute Jonny Dwyer turned on the speed and the style at the other end two minutes later to hit back with a goal for Ferns, but it wasn’t exactly a spark to set the game alight, as proceedings became ever more pedestrian, and the sides added just five further points between them in the remainder of normal time (3-10 to 1-5).
Colm Whelan of Ferns was sent off near the end for an ill-advised comment to the referee, and Glynn/Barntown substitute Aaron Kehoe wrapped thing up nicely in injury time with his side’s fourth goal of the day.
Glynn/Barntown are now sure of top spot in the group, even with one round of matches remaining. Ferns too remain likely to progress to the knock-out stages, barring a highly unlikely set of results in the closing round.
Ferns St. Aidans: Jason Maguire; Declan Byrne, Pádraig Bolger, Brian O’Neill; Ciarán Roberts (0-1), Tommy Dwyer (0-2), James Tonks; Jamie Whelan, Colm Whelan; Patrick Codd (0-2, 2f), John Breen, Ben Cowman; Christopher O’Connor, Tomás Hawkins, Ryan Nolan. Subs: Aaron Collier for Hawkins (23); Robert Vickers for O’Connor (h/t); Jonny Dwyer (1-0) for Breen (h/t); Keith Breen for Nolan (38).
Glynn/Barntown: Nigel Donohoe; Nigel Usher, Barry Doyle, Eoin Raftery; Alan Cowman, Robert Tierney (0-1), Cian Neville; Michael Doyle, Ian Moran; Matthew Joyce, Michael O’Regan (0-3, 2f, 1 ‘45’); Rioghnan Crosbie (0-2, 2f); Brendan Doyle (0-1), Craig Doyle (2-0), Robert Dempsey (1-3). Subs: Sean Carmody for Crosbie (40); Aaron Kehoe (1-1) for Moran (40); Fionn Cooney for Barry Doyle (temp., 44-49); Rowan White for Neville (57).
Referee: Eric Molloy (St James’s).
August 23: Ferns St Aidans 2-10, Craanford 1-5
Ferns St. Aidans were made to work hard for their victory against Craanford in this final round game of the Lodgewood Engineering Intermediate football championship Group A in Farmleigh on Sunday.
It didn't have the feel of a game with much at stake but a loss for Ferns would have seen them exit the championship in fifth place with other results going the way they did. However, two goals in the opening quarter meant that it was a scenario that never looked likely.
Two Ryan Nolan points already had the victors in the lead when James Tonks' hopeful ball into the goalmouth took a big hop off the hard ground and looped over Bob Flynn for a soft opening goal.
Craanford didn't let the setback kill them off and they replied with three points in a row from Peter Kavanagh, Stevie Greene and James Smyth. However, it was an all too familiar feeling as they conceded their 21st goal in five championship matches when Jonny Dwyer found the netting in the 15th minute.
The half-time lead stood at 2-4 to 0-4 for Ferns but Michael Lyons' punched effort did narrow it by one in the 32nd minute. Three consecutive points looked to seal the victory for Ferns but Craanford responded when Tony Kavanagh and Oliver Doran combined to release substitute John Fleming who goaled five minutes after his introduction.
Alas, that would prove to be Craanford's final score as Ferns dominated possession in the final quarter. Patrick Codd brought his tally to three while Nolan went two better to see their side safely into the quarters.
Ferns will play Clongeen in the last eight should HWH-Bunclody lose to Glynn-Barntown tonight (Tuesday), but any other result will see them facing Bannow-Ballymitty. Craanford, on the other hand, have one last chance to keep their Intermediate status when they meet St. Mary's (Maudlintown) in the relegation final.
Ferns St. Aidans: Jason Maguire; Brian O'Neill, Declan Byrne, Colm Whelan; Ciarán Roberts, James Tonks (capt., 1-0), Keith Breen; Colm Whelan, Paul Morris; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Patrick Codd (0-3, 1 '45), John Breen; Tomás Hawkins, Ryan Nolan (0-5, 1 free), Jonathan Dwyer (1-1). Sub. - Aaron Collier for J. Breen, inj. (11).
Craanford: Bob Flynn; Pat Kenny, Pat Murray, Tony Kavanagh; Des Kavanagh, Michael O'Loughlin (capt.), Oliver Doran; Peter Kavanagh (0-1), Niall Berney; Shane Kavanagh, Michael Lyons (0-1), Joe Berney; James Smyth (0-1), Stevie Greene (0-2 frees), Matt Nolan. Subs. - James Byrne for D. Kavanagh (22), John Fleming (1-0) for Nolan (40), William Conroy for S. Kavanagh (44), Ger Lyons for P. Kavanagh (48), Michael Lancaster for Greene (53).
Referee: John Tobin (Geraldine O'Hanrahans).
September 5, quarter-final: Bannow/Ballymitty 3-22, Ferns St Aidans 0-7
Poor old Ferns. A week after bowing out of the hurling championship at the merciless hands of Oulart, they were given an equally painful footballing lesson by Bannow.
There was a distinct hangover air about the side beaten in the big ball quarter-final in Bellefield on Saturday, perhaps associated with the wedding of a club member the previous day.
Whatever, the reason, they were slow off the mark and then continued out of sorts to end the afternoon two dozen points to the bad and with just 13 players on the pitch.
In contrast Bannow came out of the traps like derby hopefuls, racking up seven unanswered points in a trice, the best of them a classy effort from Ben Brosnan.
The county man showed skill in picking up the ball, followed by a dart of pace and a one-two with Mark Wallace on his way to the score, the first of his 2-6 for the day.
When the men from Gorey district did eventually post a couple of cuilini, their tormentors immediately countered with a goal, Aaron Diskin keeping his wits about him to deliver the telling shot even as he fell.
The chasm between the teams had widened to 2-13 to 0-3 by the break, Brosnan providing the second goal for Bannow with a neatly judged low finish..
The leaders took their time about returning to the field for the second half and seemed to have some problem slipping back into their stride.
Just for a moment or two, Ferns threatened a mini-rival with a couple of well taken points, from Aaron Collier and Ian Byrne,, only for Bannow to score another Brosnan inspired goal and wipe out the good work.
Ferns displayed some spirit, with Paul Morris executing an exquisite pass to tee up the hard working Jonathan Dwyer for a point but their scores dried up completely after 39 minutes.
The game, already lopsided, became a totally meaningless exercise as the losing outfit lost one player to a double yellow and then another to a red which was shown after John Staples was levelled by Keith Breen.
The victors had the luxury of being able to rest their leading attackers, putting a stop to the contest between Bren Brosnan and the also excellent Niall Harney to see who could inflict most pain on such hapless opposition.
Proceedings lacked the drama normally associated with the knockout stages of a championship, with many of the sprinkling of spectators showing as much interest in the word of Dublin v Mayo coming from Croke Park as in proceedings in front of them.
Despite the impressive margin of victory, no one in the Bannow-Ballymitty camp was tempted to install their team as favourites to win out the grade, such was the feebleness of the challenge put up against them.
Still, with the likes of Aaron Diskin and John Sinnott showing up well at the weekend, they certainly have every reason to believe that further progress is possible.
Ferns St Aidans: Jason Maguire; Brian O'Neill, Kieran Roberts, Declan Byrne; Keith Breen, James Tonks, Tommy Dwyer; John Breen, Colm Whelan; Robert Vickers (0-1), Paul Morris (0-1), Jonathan Dwyer (0-1); Aaron Collier (0-1), Ian Byrne (0-2), Ryan Nolan. Subs: Jamie Whelan for Breen black card 16 minutes; Benny Jordan for Vickers 30 minutes; Barry Breen for Nolan 30 minutes; Conor Nolan for Whelan 52 minutes.
Bannow-Ballymitty: Philip Murphy; Jon Reville, MJ Doran, John Staples; Conor Neville, Niall Murphy, Nicky Doyle (0-2); Art Sweetman (0-1), John Sinnott (0-1); Niall Harney (0-7, 1 '45'), Aaron Diskin (1-2), Ben Brosnan (2-5, 2 frees); Michael Murphy (0-1), Mark Wallace, David White (0-1). Subs: Gary Morton for Sinnott 44 minutes; John Mernagh for Reville 47 minutes; Jack Faragher for Harney 53 minutes; Pat Fitzharris for Brosnan 55 minutes.
Referee: Kevin Carty.
Ferns St Aidans got their Lodgewood Intermediate Football Championship campaign off to a winning start as they overcame the challenge of Taghmon/Camross by five points in Bree on Sunday afternoon.
The Ferns men were good value for their victory, as they led all the way after a Patrick Breen goal on nine minutes – although that could have been different if Taghmon/Camross had been more accurate with their shooting, in the third quarter in particular, as they had five wides in a row between the 36th and 42nd minutes.
Ferns, under the guidance of former county star Colm Morris, were just that bit sharper and quicker throughout the game, and indeed were off to a flyer as Benny Jordan had the opening point of the game after less than 30 seconds. Alan Nolan replied for Taghmon/Camross a minute later and Ryan Nolan then knocked over a free for Ferns, before he also started a move that culminated in Aaron Collier providing the assist to Patrick Breen for the ninth minute goal that was to give Ferns a cushion for the rest of the game, and prove just too much for Taghmon/Camross to claw back.
Ferns went on to lead by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break, but Taghmon/Camross had the first two scores of the second half – through Seamie McLoughlin, and a Darren Carty goalbound shot that was touched over the bar by Ferns goalkeeper Martin O’Connor. Benny Jordan then restored a two-point lead for the Ferns men, before Taghmon suffered that wasteful period of shooting, and they were then punished by Ryan Nolan then converting a free at the other end to make it 1-8 to 0-8 as the game entered the closing quarter.
Midfielder Ian Carty narrowed the gap again as he pointed for Taghmon/Camross on 49 minutes, but Ferns again had a goal to spare as defender Ciarán Roberts made his way up the field to score a rare point with six to go. Taghmon/Camross failed to score again in the closing stages, while Tommy Dwyer and Ryan Nolan (free) added insurance points for Ferns, seeing out a deserved victory.
Ferns St Aidans: Martin O’Connor; Declan Byrne, Pádraig Bolger, Pat Nolan; Robert Vickers, James Tonks, Ciarán Roberts (0-1); Jamie Whelan, Ian Byrne; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Benny Jordan (0-2), Peter Nolan (0-1); Aaron Collier (0-1), Patrick Breen (1-0), Ryan Nolan (0-5, 4 frees). Subs: Jonny Dwyer for Peter Nolan; Brian O’Neill for Vickers; Ben Cowman for Collier; Patrick Codd for Breen.
Taghmon/Camross: Sean O’Gorman; Matthew Doyle, Robert Nolan, Darren Colfer; Mark O’Gorman, Alan Nolan (0-1), Darren Carty (0-1); Barry O’Gorman (0-2), Ian Carty (0-1); Eoin Doyle (0-1), Seamie McLoughlin (0-2, 1 free), Conor O’Keefe; Stephen O’Gorman, Pat Nolan, Pierce Doyle. Sub: Derek O’Hanlon for Pat Nolan (inj.)
Referee: Barry Redmond (Clonard)
April 19: Ballyhogue 3-11, Ferns St Aidans 0-9
Ferns proved no match for Ballyhogue on Sunday at St Patrick’s Park as the blues easily got the better of the red and white men in the second round of the Lodgewood Engineering Intermediate Football Championship Group A.
From the off, Ballyhogue seemed much more comfortable with their passes and passages of play. Their midfielder, Syl Byrne, wasn’t slow off the mark in claiming the first point as his solo run brushed by the Ferns full back line in the opening minute.
The focussed Ballyhogue squad managed to set the bar high, following soon after with two powerful goals from Denis Leacy and Conor Byrne.
Ferns struggled to pick their heads up but eventually replied, with Jonathon Dwyer supplying two points before Tommy Dwyer and Patrick Breen followed suit.
The quick Ballyhogue forward, Noel Roche, posed a serious threat throughout, and he guided the next two balls over the bar after fouls on his team-mates. Eddie Galavan also joined the scoring spree, adding two points for Ballyhogue before the half-time whistle blew.
With quite a significant lead at the break, Ballyhogue managed to progress this further after the throw-in ball. Roche once again popped up, this time firing two balls over the bar from play.
Syl Byrne claimed a fantastic point before playing a key role in setting up Denis Leacy for his second goal, which beautifully found the roof of the Ferns net. Shane Roche also secured his name on the Ballyhogue score-sheet with a good point.
Roche continued his work with a fine point from play before Shane Byrne’s talent for catching the high ball helped him do likewise. Ryan Nolan and Ian Byrne ended matters with two points for Ferns, but overall they were no match for Ballyhogue.
Ferns St Aidans: Martin O’Connor; Declan Byrne, Padraig Bolger, Pat Nolan; Brian O’Neill, James Tonks, Ciaran Roberts; Jamie Whelan, Ian Byrne (0-1); Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Aaron Collier, Jonny Dwyer (0-4); Ryan Nolan (0-2, 1 free), Patrick Breen (0-1), Ben Cowman. Subs: Patrick Codd for O’Connor, Colm Whelan for Collier.
Ballyhogue: Myles Roche; John Roche, Sean Rochford, Graham Parker; James Parle, Shane Doyle, Tomas Moriarty; Syl Byrne (0-2), Shane Byrne (0-2); Noel Roche (0-5, 2 frees), Eddie Galavan (0-2, 1 free), John Kehoe; Liam Kelly, Denis Leacy (2-0), Conor Byrne (1-0). Sub: Hugh O’Neill for Galavan.
Referee: Noel Stafford (Clongeen)
August 2: Ferns St Aidans 1-14, HWH-Bunclody 1-7
Ferns St. Aidans picked up their second win, a mightily impressive one, against an outplayed HWH-Bunclody in the Lodgewood Engineering Intermediate football championship Group A at Farmleigh on Sunday.
Half Way House came into the game unbeaten and looking to secure their spot in the quarter-finals with a victory. However, Ferns had other ideas and they were more than worthy of their win.
Particularly in the first-half they were so much crisper. The passing was precise, the shooting was excellent, and often the barometer of a team going well, the running without the ball was intelligent and purposeful.
It all led to a reasonably comfortable afternoon for Ferns. They fell 0-2 to 0-1 behind on the back of two Darren Kehoe frees but were soon ahead. Patrick Codd had a fantastic game for the victors and three of his points helped his club to go 0-6 to 0-2 clear at the end of the first quarter.
Bunclody managed just the one Steven Finn point from play in the opening half but Ferns continued to motor and with four more points, including two from the dangerous Ian Byrne, the half-time lead swelled to six (0-10 to 0-4).
That advantage had grown further when Christopher O'Connor's high ball into space in front of goal took a huge hop and bounced over Paul Finn to where the appreciative Codd lurked and punched to the empty net.
Trailing by 1-14 to 0-6, Bunclody hit back with a fifth point from Darren Kehoe and followed it with a goal when Aidan Nolan sprinted through the heart of the Ferns defence and dispatched a shot across Jason Maguire to the rigging.
Bunclody did have a few other late chances as they went looking for goals but they would have only served to pad the margin of defeat. Both sides are on four points and will be looking to confirm their quarter-final spots this weekend.
Ferns St. Aidans: Jason Maguire; Declan Byrne, Pádraig Bolger, Brian O'Neill; James Tonks (capt.), Tommy Dwyer, Ciarán Roberts (0-1); Colm Whelan, Ian Byrne (0-3); Colin Breen, Patrick Codd (1-6, 0-2 frees), Keith Breen; Christopher O'Connor, Tomás Hawkins (0-1), Ryan Nolan (0-2 frees). Subs. - Ben Cowman (0-1) for K. Breen (27), Aaron Collier (0-1) for Hawkins, inj. (31), Jamie Whelan for C. Whelan (45), Jonny Dwyer for Codd, inj. (52).
HWH-Bunclody: Paul Finn; Billy Kelly, John Atkinson, Enda Slevin (0-1); Steven Finn (0-1), Seán Kenny, Conor Crean; James Moorhead, Aidan Nolan (1-0); Eoin Kelly, Keith O'Hara, Conor Kinsella (capt.); Mark Sheehan, Darren Kehoe (0-5 frees), Kevin Dunne. Subs. - Colm Farrell for Crean (31), Barry Kehoe for E. Kelly (48), Jamie John Murphy for Sheehan (48), Martin O'Connor for O'Hara (54).
Referee: John Carton (Monageer-Boolavogue).
August 8: Glynn/Barntown 4-12, Ferns St Aidans 1-5
Glynn/Barntown had it all their own way against Ferns St. Aidans at Bellefield on Saturday afternoon as they maintained their 100 per cent record in Group A of the Lodgewood Engineering Intermediate Football Championship.
The game was already good as over after just ten minutes, when Glynn/Barntown led by 1-5 to 0-0 and Ferns hadn’t even managed a shot at goal. The goal had come from full forward Craig Doyle just after Brendan Doyle had opened the scoring with a fine point, and points from placed balls from Michael O’Regan (three) and Rioghnan Crosbie (one) completed the Glynn/Barntown scoring in that opening period.
Then, just for good measure, they bagged another goal.
Robert Dempsey was this time the scorer, pouncing to stroke home the rebound after Ian Moran’s initial shot was well saved by Ferns goalkeeper Jason Maguire, and further points from Crosbie again (free) and wing back Cian Neville meant it became 2-7 to 0-0 after 20 minutes.
Ferns finally managed a shot and a score after 25 minutes as Patrick Codd knocked over a free, and that completed the first half scoring.
The second half brought more of the same. Glynn/Barntown added three more points in its opening stages while Tommy Dwyer doubled the Ferns tally, and then Craig Doyle just waltzed through for his second goal of the game, making it 3-10 to 0-2 on 35 minutes.
Substitute Jonny Dwyer turned on the speed and the style at the other end two minutes later to hit back with a goal for Ferns, but it wasn’t exactly a spark to set the game alight, as proceedings became ever more pedestrian, and the sides added just five further points between them in the remainder of normal time (3-10 to 1-5).
Colm Whelan of Ferns was sent off near the end for an ill-advised comment to the referee, and Glynn/Barntown substitute Aaron Kehoe wrapped thing up nicely in injury time with his side’s fourth goal of the day.
Glynn/Barntown are now sure of top spot in the group, even with one round of matches remaining. Ferns too remain likely to progress to the knock-out stages, barring a highly unlikely set of results in the closing round.
Ferns St. Aidans: Jason Maguire; Declan Byrne, Pádraig Bolger, Brian O’Neill; Ciarán Roberts (0-1), Tommy Dwyer (0-2), James Tonks; Jamie Whelan, Colm Whelan; Patrick Codd (0-2, 2f), John Breen, Ben Cowman; Christopher O’Connor, Tomás Hawkins, Ryan Nolan. Subs: Aaron Collier for Hawkins (23); Robert Vickers for O’Connor (h/t); Jonny Dwyer (1-0) for Breen (h/t); Keith Breen for Nolan (38).
Glynn/Barntown: Nigel Donohoe; Nigel Usher, Barry Doyle, Eoin Raftery; Alan Cowman, Robert Tierney (0-1), Cian Neville; Michael Doyle, Ian Moran; Matthew Joyce, Michael O’Regan (0-3, 2f, 1 ‘45’); Rioghnan Crosbie (0-2, 2f); Brendan Doyle (0-1), Craig Doyle (2-0), Robert Dempsey (1-3). Subs: Sean Carmody for Crosbie (40); Aaron Kehoe (1-1) for Moran (40); Fionn Cooney for Barry Doyle (temp., 44-49); Rowan White for Neville (57).
Referee: Eric Molloy (St James’s).
August 23: Ferns St Aidans 2-10, Craanford 1-5
Ferns St. Aidans were made to work hard for their victory against Craanford in this final round game of the Lodgewood Engineering Intermediate football championship Group A in Farmleigh on Sunday.
It didn't have the feel of a game with much at stake but a loss for Ferns would have seen them exit the championship in fifth place with other results going the way they did. However, two goals in the opening quarter meant that it was a scenario that never looked likely.
Two Ryan Nolan points already had the victors in the lead when James Tonks' hopeful ball into the goalmouth took a big hop off the hard ground and looped over Bob Flynn for a soft opening goal.
Craanford didn't let the setback kill them off and they replied with three points in a row from Peter Kavanagh, Stevie Greene and James Smyth. However, it was an all too familiar feeling as they conceded their 21st goal in five championship matches when Jonny Dwyer found the netting in the 15th minute.
The half-time lead stood at 2-4 to 0-4 for Ferns but Michael Lyons' punched effort did narrow it by one in the 32nd minute. Three consecutive points looked to seal the victory for Ferns but Craanford responded when Tony Kavanagh and Oliver Doran combined to release substitute John Fleming who goaled five minutes after his introduction.
Alas, that would prove to be Craanford's final score as Ferns dominated possession in the final quarter. Patrick Codd brought his tally to three while Nolan went two better to see their side safely into the quarters.
Ferns will play Clongeen in the last eight should HWH-Bunclody lose to Glynn-Barntown tonight (Tuesday), but any other result will see them facing Bannow-Ballymitty. Craanford, on the other hand, have one last chance to keep their Intermediate status when they meet St. Mary's (Maudlintown) in the relegation final.
Ferns St. Aidans: Jason Maguire; Brian O'Neill, Declan Byrne, Colm Whelan; Ciarán Roberts, James Tonks (capt., 1-0), Keith Breen; Colm Whelan, Paul Morris; Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Patrick Codd (0-3, 1 '45), John Breen; Tomás Hawkins, Ryan Nolan (0-5, 1 free), Jonathan Dwyer (1-1). Sub. - Aaron Collier for J. Breen, inj. (11).
Craanford: Bob Flynn; Pat Kenny, Pat Murray, Tony Kavanagh; Des Kavanagh, Michael O'Loughlin (capt.), Oliver Doran; Peter Kavanagh (0-1), Niall Berney; Shane Kavanagh, Michael Lyons (0-1), Joe Berney; James Smyth (0-1), Stevie Greene (0-2 frees), Matt Nolan. Subs. - James Byrne for D. Kavanagh (22), John Fleming (1-0) for Nolan (40), William Conroy for S. Kavanagh (44), Ger Lyons for P. Kavanagh (48), Michael Lancaster for Greene (53).
Referee: John Tobin (Geraldine O'Hanrahans).
September 5, quarter-final: Bannow/Ballymitty 3-22, Ferns St Aidans 0-7
Poor old Ferns. A week after bowing out of the hurling championship at the merciless hands of Oulart, they were given an equally painful footballing lesson by Bannow.
There was a distinct hangover air about the side beaten in the big ball quarter-final in Bellefield on Saturday, perhaps associated with the wedding of a club member the previous day.
Whatever, the reason, they were slow off the mark and then continued out of sorts to end the afternoon two dozen points to the bad and with just 13 players on the pitch.
In contrast Bannow came out of the traps like derby hopefuls, racking up seven unanswered points in a trice, the best of them a classy effort from Ben Brosnan.
The county man showed skill in picking up the ball, followed by a dart of pace and a one-two with Mark Wallace on his way to the score, the first of his 2-6 for the day.
When the men from Gorey district did eventually post a couple of cuilini, their tormentors immediately countered with a goal, Aaron Diskin keeping his wits about him to deliver the telling shot even as he fell.
The chasm between the teams had widened to 2-13 to 0-3 by the break, Brosnan providing the second goal for Bannow with a neatly judged low finish..
The leaders took their time about returning to the field for the second half and seemed to have some problem slipping back into their stride.
Just for a moment or two, Ferns threatened a mini-rival with a couple of well taken points, from Aaron Collier and Ian Byrne,, only for Bannow to score another Brosnan inspired goal and wipe out the good work.
Ferns displayed some spirit, with Paul Morris executing an exquisite pass to tee up the hard working Jonathan Dwyer for a point but their scores dried up completely after 39 minutes.
The game, already lopsided, became a totally meaningless exercise as the losing outfit lost one player to a double yellow and then another to a red which was shown after John Staples was levelled by Keith Breen.
The victors had the luxury of being able to rest their leading attackers, putting a stop to the contest between Bren Brosnan and the also excellent Niall Harney to see who could inflict most pain on such hapless opposition.
Proceedings lacked the drama normally associated with the knockout stages of a championship, with many of the sprinkling of spectators showing as much interest in the word of Dublin v Mayo coming from Croke Park as in proceedings in front of them.
Despite the impressive margin of victory, no one in the Bannow-Ballymitty camp was tempted to install their team as favourites to win out the grade, such was the feebleness of the challenge put up against them.
Still, with the likes of Aaron Diskin and John Sinnott showing up well at the weekend, they certainly have every reason to believe that further progress is possible.
Ferns St Aidans: Jason Maguire; Brian O'Neill, Kieran Roberts, Declan Byrne; Keith Breen, James Tonks, Tommy Dwyer; John Breen, Colm Whelan; Robert Vickers (0-1), Paul Morris (0-1), Jonathan Dwyer (0-1); Aaron Collier (0-1), Ian Byrne (0-2), Ryan Nolan. Subs: Jamie Whelan for Breen black card 16 minutes; Benny Jordan for Vickers 30 minutes; Barry Breen for Nolan 30 minutes; Conor Nolan for Whelan 52 minutes.
Bannow-Ballymitty: Philip Murphy; Jon Reville, MJ Doran, John Staples; Conor Neville, Niall Murphy, Nicky Doyle (0-2); Art Sweetman (0-1), John Sinnott (0-1); Niall Harney (0-7, 1 '45'), Aaron Diskin (1-2), Ben Brosnan (2-5, 2 frees); Michael Murphy (0-1), Mark Wallace, David White (0-1). Subs: Gary Morton for Sinnott 44 minutes; John Mernagh for Reville 47 minutes; Jack Faragher for Harney 53 minutes; Pat Fitzharris for Brosnan 55 minutes.
Referee: Kevin Carty.
