Intermediate Football Championship 2019
March 30: Taghmon/Camross 0-12, Ferns St. Aidans 1-7
A sublime display of point taking from Ian Carty guided Taghmon/Camross to a hard-earned victory over Ferns St. Aidans in this Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate Football Championship Group A opener that ended on a needlessly heated note at St. Patrick’s Park on Saturday.
The talented number 14, who started at midfield, kicked ten of the victors’ twelve scores, including four from play, with a trio of long-range efforts from the outside of the right boot drawing gasps of appreciation from the crowd.
However, the win for the side relegated from senior ranks last year was tarnished when a row developed after the final whistle that they really had no business getting involved in, given the outcome of the game.
It appeared that a ball kicked in frustration by a Ferns player at netminder Jack Dunne sparked the flare-up, and it ended with Taghmon/Camross midfielder Stephen O’Gorman being shown a red card.
Referee Brendan Martin also spoke to one of the winners’ mentors, Shane Dunphy, and confirmed afterwards that he would be naming him in his report too.
Taghmon/Camross, playing with two sweepers, opened with the first three points from Carty (free), Cathal Doyle, and Carty (play), before Ryan Nolan converted two placed balls for Ferns.
The latter showed no after-effects following a 90-minute stint for Wexford FC in Drogheda the night before, but his team relied too much on him for scores, as he ended with 1-6 of their 1-7 tally.
Although a good long-range kick by captain Patrick Breen brought Ferns to level terms by the 20th minute, three more points from the Carty brothers – Ian (two frees) and Darren – left Taghmon/Camross ahead by 0-7 to 0-5 at the interval.
However, they were fortunate that Ryan Nolan didn’t punish a poor kick-out when he blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy prior to their own seventh point.
There was a double blow for Taghmon/Camross on the re-start, as Shane Doyle was black carded for a deliberate pulldown on Chris Turner from a Nolan free into the square from the left corner, and the latter trotted over to sink the penalty in the net (1-5 to 0-7).
Ferns still led by 1-7 to 0-8 with nine minutes left after Nolan responded to another Ian Carty free with a brace of points, the first of them from play.
However, Taghmon/Camross turned in a very impressive finish and claimed victory thanks to four scores without reply from the outstanding Carty.
After driving the ball just over from a Crossfield Adam Sinnott pass, he levelled from a free, kicked his third outside of the boot-style beauty, and then capped a classy display with his tenth point from another placed ball deep into injury time.
Ferns St. Aidans: Ivan Meegan; Brian O’Neill, Pádraig Bolger, James Tonks; Rory Scallan, Declan Byrne, Keith Breen; Patrick Breen (capt., 0-1), James Lawlor; Tommy Dwyer, Ian Byrne, Jonny Dwyer; Chris Turner, John Breen, Ryan Nolan (1-6, 0-4 frees, 1-0 pen). Subs: Brendan Jordan for Turner (54); Peter Nolan for J. Dwyer (57).
Taghmon/Camross: Jack Dunne; Stephen O’Keefe, Alan Nolan, Shane Doyle; Mark O’Gorman, Barry O’Gorman (capt.), Darren Carty (0-1); Ian Carty (0-10, 0-6 frees), Stephen O’Gorman; Cathal Doyle (0-1), Mick O’Gorman, Stephen Stafford; Shane Lacey, Derek O’Hanlon, Pat Nolan. Subs: Tom Banville for S. Doyle (black card, 37); Adam Sinnott for Mick O’Gorman (39); Peter Murphy for O’Hanlon (inj., 49).
Referee: Brendan Martin (Ballyhogue).
April 6: Ballyhogue 1-17, Ferns St. Aidans 2-13
A sweetly-struck 45 from the boot of Noel Roche as the clock ticked into injury time earned Ballyhogue a precious victory in an Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate Football Championship Group A clash of undulating fortunes in Oylegate on Saturday.
Ferns St. Aidans made the better start but a flurry of points late in the opening half saw Ballyhogue grind out a 1-8 to 1-5 interval lead.
They continued in that vein after the turnaround, stretching their advantage to six points by the midway point of the second half.
Ferns had another kick in them, however, and with the help of a 52nd minute John Breen goal they managed to draw level, before Ballyhogue eked out the narrowest of victories late on.
Both sides had suffered slender defeats in their opening games, so a win was a must if they were to have a pep in their step when the football championship action resumes after the hiatus, and it was Ferns who made the early running, building up to a 1-4 to 0-2 advantage by the 17th minute.
The goal came from Ivan Meegan, with the goalkeeper firing a penalty in off the right post after Tommy Dwyer had been hauled down.
They had another sight of goal with 18 minutes on the clock, but John Breen blazed narrowly wide.
Ballyhogue needed to strike back quickly and they did just that, and after Noel Roche had popped over a free, they were right back in the contest when Peter Kelly got the green flag waving, burying the ball to the net after a good move involving Roche and Shane Doyle.
A Jonny Dwyer score edged Ferns two ahead, but Ballyhogue finished off the first half on a high with five points on the trot, with James Parle, Seán Ring, Noel Roche (two) and Graham Parker all splitting the posts.
Ballyhogue continued to pick off classy points after the re-start, including two instinctive efforts from substitute Ring and a sublime left-footed Peter Kelly score from near the right sideline, and when Noel Roche fired over in the 46th minute, the scoreboard read 1-15 to 1-9 in their favour.
However, Ferns weren’t finished yet and Jonny Dwyer and Patrick Breen knocked over quickfire points, before John Breen gathered a Chris Turner pass and drilled the ball to the net to leave the minimum between the sides (1-15 to 2-11).
Jonny Dwyer drew Ferns level moments later, but after a Noel Roche point had been cancelled out by Patrick Breen with two minutes remaining, Roche floated over the winning 45 in injury time.
The game ended on a slightly sour note for Ballyhogue, with the dismissal of Mick Condon for an off-the-ball incident.
Ferns St. Aidans: Ivan Meegan (1-1, 1-0 pen, 0-1 free); Brian O’Neill, Pádraig Bolger, James Tonks; Rory Scallan, Declan Byrne, Keith Breen; Patrick Breen (capt., 0-3), James Lawlor; Chris Turner, Tommy Dwyer, Brendan Jordan; Ian Byrne (0-2), John Breen (1-4, 0-2 frees), Jonny Dwyer (0-3). Subs: Peter Nolan for Lawlor (43); Patrick O’Hagan for Bolger (43); Shane Breen for J. Breen (inj., 52).
Ballyhogue: Daire Cloke-Rochford; Tomás Moriarty, Seán Rochford, Colm Parnell; Enda Minogue, Conor Byrne, Darragh Byrne; Shane Byrne (0-1), Shane Doyle; James Parle (capt., 0-1), Noel Roche (0-8, 3 frees, 1 ‘45’), Dean Doyle; Dylan Dalton (0-1), Peter Kelly (1-2), Graham Parker (0-1). Subs: Seán Ring (0-3) for D. Byrne (26); Mick Condon for Byrne (52); Tadgh Malone for Minogue (52); Eddie Galavan for Parker (60).
Referee: Barry Redmond (Clonard)
August 6: Naomh Eanna 5-7, Ferns St. Aidans 2-14
A late goal from flying wing-back Aodhán Doyle secured Naomh Eanna their third consecutive win in the Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate football championship after a dramatic 5-7 to 2-14 victory over District rivals Ferns St. Aidan's in Tuesday's exciting Group A tie at St. Patrick's Park, Enniscorthy.
Much of the defending left a lot to be desired, but the attacking intent of the two sides was a joy to behold as the momentum oscillated back and forth throughout.
But not even the remarkable display of Ryan Nolan up front could drag win-less Ferns over the line, with the dynamo scoring a few sublime points from play on the way to registering a healthy total of 1-9.
Nolan had accounted for three of his side's first five points as they developed a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after eleven minutes, including a spectacular effort from an acute angle hugging the far touchline.
William Cullen converted a free out of his hands for Gorey on 13 minutes, but another neat point from Nolan, and Ian Byrne's second, seemingly had Ferns in relative good health (0-7 to 0-3).
However, Naomh Eanna pounced for two goals in as many minutes to transform the scoreline.
Peter Travers had been quiet up to then, but when he was fed by Seamus O'Donnell on 20 minutes, the experienced attacker blasted to the roof of the dressing-room end net.
Soon after, Doyle made the break down his left wing before parting to Gary Molloy, and he finished low across Ivan Meegan to make it 2-3 to 0-7.
Amazingly, Ferns responded with a goal from the very next attack when Nolan supplied Paul Morris, who steadied himself before netting.
That reprieve gave Ferns a slight 1-9 to 2-4 advantage at half-time, but they were ultimately stung by three more goals after the break. David O'Brien pounced on 34 minutes from Jack Doran's assist, although when Morris' jersey was nearly ripped off him in the square, Nolan confidently stroked home the resultant penalty as Ferns led by 2-11 to 3-4.
Gorey's substitutes made a telling impact, though, with Conor McDonald and Charlie McGuckin kicking points either side of Cathal Dunbar's shot to the left of the posts being knocked over the line by a despairing defender as they edged within 2-13 to 4-6.
Nolan's free gave Ferns a two-point lead eight minutes from time, but Doyle's goal, weaving his way into striking range before finishing with aplomb, and O'Brien's injury-time free, kept Naomh Eanna at the top of Group A.
Ferns can still join them in the quarter-finals on the head-to-head ruling versus St. Mary's (Rosslare) provided they win their last two games, Rosslare fail to get anything from their game with Gorey, and Ballyhogue and Taghmon-Camross pick up one more point each.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Ivan Meegan; Rory Scallan, Declan Byrne, Brian O'Neill; Niall Murphy (0-1), James Tonks, Keith Breen; Patrick Breen (capt.), James Lawlor; Tommy Dwyer, Paul Morris (1-1), Derek Thorpe; Jonathan Dwyer (0-1), Ian Byrne (0-2), Ryan Nolan (1-9, 1-0 pen., 0-3 frees). Subs. - Conor Scallan for Tonks (42), Patrick O'Hagan for D. Byrne (42), Gavin Bailey for I. Byrne (53), Peter Nolan for O'Neill (60+1).
Naomh Eanna: Gearóid Cullen; Tom Stafford, Simon Doran, Seamus O'Donnell; Joseph O'Connor, Pádraig Doyle, Aodhán Doyle (1-0); Jack Cushe, John O'Brien; Gary Molloy (1-1), David O'Brien (1-2, 0-2 frees), Eoin Conroy; William Cullen (0-2 frees), Peter Travers (capt., 1-0), Jack Doran. Subs. - Charlie McGuckin (0-1) for Conroy, inj. (19), Conor McDonald (0-1) for Molloy (36), Cathal Dunbar (1-0) for J. Doran (36), Darragh Canavan for O'Connor (44), Lee Kinsella for W. Cullen (44).
Referee: John O'Loughlin (Monageer-Boolavogue).
August 24: Bannow/Ballymitty 0-14, Ferns St. Aidans 0-11
- No report carried in local press
August 31: St. Mary’s (Rosslare) 5-18, Ferns St. Aidans 1-6
With a relegation decider looming regardless of the outcome, it was easy to understand why Ferns St. Aidans weren’t firing on all cylinders in this Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate Football Championship Group A tie in Bellefield on Saturday.
In contrast, St. Mary’s (Rosslare) were keen to get back to winning ways in advance of the quarter-finals after a narrow defeat to Naomh Eanna the previous weekend.
And they duly delivered with a considerable degree of comfort, easing home with 24 points to spare after leading by 2-8 to 0-4 at half time.
Wily veteran full-forward David Murphy accounted for both those goals, in the 28th and 31st minutes, after being set up by Tiarnan Rossiter and Danny Furlong respectively.
And he wasn’t finished just yet, as he added a third towards the end of the third quarter after grabbing a long delivery from his team captain Rossiter, who also claimed five points from play in an impressive display.
Ferns’ chief concern was to avoid injuries for the important games to come but, bearing that in mind, they won’t have been happy to see midfielder Patrick Breen hobbling off just before half time.
Ryan Nolan was their only attacker to pose any sort of threat, and he grabbed their consolation goal from the penalty spot following a foul on Keith Breen in the 57th minute.
That was greeted with a score at the other end that proved very popular in the Rosslare dug-out, with substitute Derek Brohan planning a beauty over the black spot to the approval of his colleagues.
It was 3-12 to 0-5 at the three-quarters mark, and Danny Furlong went on to show his finishing in gaelic football is every bit as smooth as in soccer with a sublime strike to the top left corner of the Bellefield Road end net.
Wing back Niall Walsh was picked out by substitute Larry Morrissey for the fifth goal from close range in the 52nd minute but, despite the impressive nature of this victory, Rosslare will still go into the quarter-final versus last year’s runners-up, Crossabeg/Ballymurn, as underdogs.
As for Ferns, they will have one last chance to avoid the drop when they face St. Joseph’s, although I’m sure a football won’t be seen in their field until after Sunday’s senior hurling clash with Faythe Harriers in Bellefield.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; Patrick O’Hagan, Pádraig Bolger, Keith Breen; Jonny Dwyer, James Tonks, Brian O’Neill; Patrick Breen (capt.), James Lawlor; Derek Thorpe, Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Peter Nolan (0-1); Lee Quigley, John Breen, Ryan Nolan (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-2 frees). Subs: Peter O’Toole for P. Breen (inj., 29), Christopher Davitt for J. Dwyer (41), Shane Breen for T. Dwyer (41), Ben Cowman for J. Breen (41).
St. Mary’s (Rosslare): Gavin Morris; Sean Stewart, Emmet Byrne, Liam O’Connor; Sean Finan, Naomhan Rossiter, Niall Walsh (1-0); Shea Boggan (0-2), Tiarnan Rossiter (capt., 0-7, 0-2 frees); Barry Quirke, Danny Furlong (1-3), Andrew Murphy; Conor Cafferkey (0-1), David Murphy (3-2), Lee Devereux (0-2). Subs: Larry Morrissey for Cafferkey (43), Conal Grant for Stewart (44), Richard Bent for A. Murphy (47), Ned Power for Byrne (50), Derek Brohan (0-1) for Quirke (52).
Referee: Eddie O’Sullivan (Kilanerin).
Sept. 13, Relegation Final: Ferns St. Aidans 1-10, St. Joseph’s (Bishopswater) 1-8
Ferns St. Aidans survived a couple of late scares to preserve their long-standing involvement in the Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate Football Championship with a hard-earned two-point win over St. Joseph’s in the relegation decider in Bellefield on Friday.
They needed the steadying influence provided by Paul Morris off the bench to get through this tough assignment, with the Bishopswater crew making them work hard for victory after securing an equalising goal with 13 minutes left.
Ferns were ahead by 1-7 to 0-7 when a kick goalwards by Gloudie Makiese lacked the required distance, but the ball still ended up in the net as the presence of Callum Broaders upset netminder Tony Cleere.
Two pointed Ryan Nolan frees ensured that the Gorey District side didn’t lose their way after that concession, although a good score by Jason Murphy from a tight angle in the 57th minute left St. Joseph’s chasing extra time at the very least.
When Nolan converted another placed ball, it meant that the opposition had to go in search of a winning goal as the game moved into added time, and they went close on a couple of occasions.
First of all, Paul Murphy had a penalty appeal turned down when he stretched to get a touch on the ball near the Bellefield Road end posts.
And the last throw of the dice saw Jason Murphy send in a line ball from the right, with the ball going to the far post and a scramble ensuing before it ended up going wide.
There was an early purpose to the Bishopswater side that hadn’t been seen in their earlier games, and that yielded the first three points from Jason Murphy (free and play) plus a fisted conversion from midfielder Declan Downes.
Ryan Nolan settled Ferns down from a free before his clever dink over a defender’s hand led to their goal in the 14th minute, with his cross from the left that followed being fisted to the net by John Breen (1-1 to 0-3).
They went on to lead by 1-3 to 0-5 at half time, after points from Breen and Nolan (free) drew responses from Ciarán Paige and Jason Murphy (free) respectively.
Eoin Kinsella and Ryan Nolan had goal shots saved at either end, while the experience of Paddy King was sorely missed by the Wexford town team after he had to leave his full-back post owing to injury.
It was still tight at the three-quarters stage, with Ferns ahead by 1-7 to 0-7 after Jonny Dwyer, James Lawlor (two)and Ryan Nolan picked off points, with Jason Murphy replying twice from frees for Joseph’s.
And although St. Joseph’s then got the goal they needed, a second wasn’t forthcoming after Ferns regained the lead, to leave the town team dropping back down to the Intermediate ‘A’ grade which they won in 2015.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; James Tonks, Patrick Breen (capt.), Conor Scallan; Pádraig Bolger, Jonny Dwyer (0-1), Keith Breen; Ian Byrne, Niall Murphy; Tommy Dwyer, Christopher O’Connor, Derek Thorpe; John Breen (1-1), James Lawlor (0-2), Ryan Nolan (0-6, 5 frees). Subs: Paul Morris for T. Dwyer (39), Gavin Bailey for Thorpe (43), Peter Nolan for J. Dwyer (60+3).
St. Jospeh’s: Jamie McMahon; Paddy Harnett, Paddy King, Calum Frankis; Gary Roche, Shaun Mullins, Ashley Houghton; Declan Downes (0-1), Ciarán Paige (0-1); Dean Roche, Paul Murphy (capt.), Derek Bergin; Eoin Kinsella, Jason Murphy (0-6, 4 frees), Eddie Lawlor. Subs: Gloudie Makiese (1-0) for King (inj., 13), Kallum Broaders for D. Roche (42), Darren Dempsey for Bergin (57), Bergin for P. Murphy (black card, 60+2).
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James’s)
A sublime display of point taking from Ian Carty guided Taghmon/Camross to a hard-earned victory over Ferns St. Aidans in this Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate Football Championship Group A opener that ended on a needlessly heated note at St. Patrick’s Park on Saturday.
The talented number 14, who started at midfield, kicked ten of the victors’ twelve scores, including four from play, with a trio of long-range efforts from the outside of the right boot drawing gasps of appreciation from the crowd.
However, the win for the side relegated from senior ranks last year was tarnished when a row developed after the final whistle that they really had no business getting involved in, given the outcome of the game.
It appeared that a ball kicked in frustration by a Ferns player at netminder Jack Dunne sparked the flare-up, and it ended with Taghmon/Camross midfielder Stephen O’Gorman being shown a red card.
Referee Brendan Martin also spoke to one of the winners’ mentors, Shane Dunphy, and confirmed afterwards that he would be naming him in his report too.
Taghmon/Camross, playing with two sweepers, opened with the first three points from Carty (free), Cathal Doyle, and Carty (play), before Ryan Nolan converted two placed balls for Ferns.
The latter showed no after-effects following a 90-minute stint for Wexford FC in Drogheda the night before, but his team relied too much on him for scores, as he ended with 1-6 of their 1-7 tally.
Although a good long-range kick by captain Patrick Breen brought Ferns to level terms by the 20th minute, three more points from the Carty brothers – Ian (two frees) and Darren – left Taghmon/Camross ahead by 0-7 to 0-5 at the interval.
However, they were fortunate that Ryan Nolan didn’t punish a poor kick-out when he blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy prior to their own seventh point.
There was a double blow for Taghmon/Camross on the re-start, as Shane Doyle was black carded for a deliberate pulldown on Chris Turner from a Nolan free into the square from the left corner, and the latter trotted over to sink the penalty in the net (1-5 to 0-7).
Ferns still led by 1-7 to 0-8 with nine minutes left after Nolan responded to another Ian Carty free with a brace of points, the first of them from play.
However, Taghmon/Camross turned in a very impressive finish and claimed victory thanks to four scores without reply from the outstanding Carty.
After driving the ball just over from a Crossfield Adam Sinnott pass, he levelled from a free, kicked his third outside of the boot-style beauty, and then capped a classy display with his tenth point from another placed ball deep into injury time.
Ferns St. Aidans: Ivan Meegan; Brian O’Neill, Pádraig Bolger, James Tonks; Rory Scallan, Declan Byrne, Keith Breen; Patrick Breen (capt., 0-1), James Lawlor; Tommy Dwyer, Ian Byrne, Jonny Dwyer; Chris Turner, John Breen, Ryan Nolan (1-6, 0-4 frees, 1-0 pen). Subs: Brendan Jordan for Turner (54); Peter Nolan for J. Dwyer (57).
Taghmon/Camross: Jack Dunne; Stephen O’Keefe, Alan Nolan, Shane Doyle; Mark O’Gorman, Barry O’Gorman (capt.), Darren Carty (0-1); Ian Carty (0-10, 0-6 frees), Stephen O’Gorman; Cathal Doyle (0-1), Mick O’Gorman, Stephen Stafford; Shane Lacey, Derek O’Hanlon, Pat Nolan. Subs: Tom Banville for S. Doyle (black card, 37); Adam Sinnott for Mick O’Gorman (39); Peter Murphy for O’Hanlon (inj., 49).
Referee: Brendan Martin (Ballyhogue).
April 6: Ballyhogue 1-17, Ferns St. Aidans 2-13
A sweetly-struck 45 from the boot of Noel Roche as the clock ticked into injury time earned Ballyhogue a precious victory in an Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate Football Championship Group A clash of undulating fortunes in Oylegate on Saturday.
Ferns St. Aidans made the better start but a flurry of points late in the opening half saw Ballyhogue grind out a 1-8 to 1-5 interval lead.
They continued in that vein after the turnaround, stretching their advantage to six points by the midway point of the second half.
Ferns had another kick in them, however, and with the help of a 52nd minute John Breen goal they managed to draw level, before Ballyhogue eked out the narrowest of victories late on.
Both sides had suffered slender defeats in their opening games, so a win was a must if they were to have a pep in their step when the football championship action resumes after the hiatus, and it was Ferns who made the early running, building up to a 1-4 to 0-2 advantage by the 17th minute.
The goal came from Ivan Meegan, with the goalkeeper firing a penalty in off the right post after Tommy Dwyer had been hauled down.
They had another sight of goal with 18 minutes on the clock, but John Breen blazed narrowly wide.
Ballyhogue needed to strike back quickly and they did just that, and after Noel Roche had popped over a free, they were right back in the contest when Peter Kelly got the green flag waving, burying the ball to the net after a good move involving Roche and Shane Doyle.
A Jonny Dwyer score edged Ferns two ahead, but Ballyhogue finished off the first half on a high with five points on the trot, with James Parle, Seán Ring, Noel Roche (two) and Graham Parker all splitting the posts.
Ballyhogue continued to pick off classy points after the re-start, including two instinctive efforts from substitute Ring and a sublime left-footed Peter Kelly score from near the right sideline, and when Noel Roche fired over in the 46th minute, the scoreboard read 1-15 to 1-9 in their favour.
However, Ferns weren’t finished yet and Jonny Dwyer and Patrick Breen knocked over quickfire points, before John Breen gathered a Chris Turner pass and drilled the ball to the net to leave the minimum between the sides (1-15 to 2-11).
Jonny Dwyer drew Ferns level moments later, but after a Noel Roche point had been cancelled out by Patrick Breen with two minutes remaining, Roche floated over the winning 45 in injury time.
The game ended on a slightly sour note for Ballyhogue, with the dismissal of Mick Condon for an off-the-ball incident.
Ferns St. Aidans: Ivan Meegan (1-1, 1-0 pen, 0-1 free); Brian O’Neill, Pádraig Bolger, James Tonks; Rory Scallan, Declan Byrne, Keith Breen; Patrick Breen (capt., 0-3), James Lawlor; Chris Turner, Tommy Dwyer, Brendan Jordan; Ian Byrne (0-2), John Breen (1-4, 0-2 frees), Jonny Dwyer (0-3). Subs: Peter Nolan for Lawlor (43); Patrick O’Hagan for Bolger (43); Shane Breen for J. Breen (inj., 52).
Ballyhogue: Daire Cloke-Rochford; Tomás Moriarty, Seán Rochford, Colm Parnell; Enda Minogue, Conor Byrne, Darragh Byrne; Shane Byrne (0-1), Shane Doyle; James Parle (capt., 0-1), Noel Roche (0-8, 3 frees, 1 ‘45’), Dean Doyle; Dylan Dalton (0-1), Peter Kelly (1-2), Graham Parker (0-1). Subs: Seán Ring (0-3) for D. Byrne (26); Mick Condon for Byrne (52); Tadgh Malone for Minogue (52); Eddie Galavan for Parker (60).
Referee: Barry Redmond (Clonard)
August 6: Naomh Eanna 5-7, Ferns St. Aidans 2-14
A late goal from flying wing-back Aodhán Doyle secured Naomh Eanna their third consecutive win in the Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate football championship after a dramatic 5-7 to 2-14 victory over District rivals Ferns St. Aidan's in Tuesday's exciting Group A tie at St. Patrick's Park, Enniscorthy.
Much of the defending left a lot to be desired, but the attacking intent of the two sides was a joy to behold as the momentum oscillated back and forth throughout.
But not even the remarkable display of Ryan Nolan up front could drag win-less Ferns over the line, with the dynamo scoring a few sublime points from play on the way to registering a healthy total of 1-9.
Nolan had accounted for three of his side's first five points as they developed a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after eleven minutes, including a spectacular effort from an acute angle hugging the far touchline.
William Cullen converted a free out of his hands for Gorey on 13 minutes, but another neat point from Nolan, and Ian Byrne's second, seemingly had Ferns in relative good health (0-7 to 0-3).
However, Naomh Eanna pounced for two goals in as many minutes to transform the scoreline.
Peter Travers had been quiet up to then, but when he was fed by Seamus O'Donnell on 20 minutes, the experienced attacker blasted to the roof of the dressing-room end net.
Soon after, Doyle made the break down his left wing before parting to Gary Molloy, and he finished low across Ivan Meegan to make it 2-3 to 0-7.
Amazingly, Ferns responded with a goal from the very next attack when Nolan supplied Paul Morris, who steadied himself before netting.
That reprieve gave Ferns a slight 1-9 to 2-4 advantage at half-time, but they were ultimately stung by three more goals after the break. David O'Brien pounced on 34 minutes from Jack Doran's assist, although when Morris' jersey was nearly ripped off him in the square, Nolan confidently stroked home the resultant penalty as Ferns led by 2-11 to 3-4.
Gorey's substitutes made a telling impact, though, with Conor McDonald and Charlie McGuckin kicking points either side of Cathal Dunbar's shot to the left of the posts being knocked over the line by a despairing defender as they edged within 2-13 to 4-6.
Nolan's free gave Ferns a two-point lead eight minutes from time, but Doyle's goal, weaving his way into striking range before finishing with aplomb, and O'Brien's injury-time free, kept Naomh Eanna at the top of Group A.
Ferns can still join them in the quarter-finals on the head-to-head ruling versus St. Mary's (Rosslare) provided they win their last two games, Rosslare fail to get anything from their game with Gorey, and Ballyhogue and Taghmon-Camross pick up one more point each.
Ferns St. Aidan's: Ivan Meegan; Rory Scallan, Declan Byrne, Brian O'Neill; Niall Murphy (0-1), James Tonks, Keith Breen; Patrick Breen (capt.), James Lawlor; Tommy Dwyer, Paul Morris (1-1), Derek Thorpe; Jonathan Dwyer (0-1), Ian Byrne (0-2), Ryan Nolan (1-9, 1-0 pen., 0-3 frees). Subs. - Conor Scallan for Tonks (42), Patrick O'Hagan for D. Byrne (42), Gavin Bailey for I. Byrne (53), Peter Nolan for O'Neill (60+1).
Naomh Eanna: Gearóid Cullen; Tom Stafford, Simon Doran, Seamus O'Donnell; Joseph O'Connor, Pádraig Doyle, Aodhán Doyle (1-0); Jack Cushe, John O'Brien; Gary Molloy (1-1), David O'Brien (1-2, 0-2 frees), Eoin Conroy; William Cullen (0-2 frees), Peter Travers (capt., 1-0), Jack Doran. Subs. - Charlie McGuckin (0-1) for Conroy, inj. (19), Conor McDonald (0-1) for Molloy (36), Cathal Dunbar (1-0) for J. Doran (36), Darragh Canavan for O'Connor (44), Lee Kinsella for W. Cullen (44).
Referee: John O'Loughlin (Monageer-Boolavogue).
August 24: Bannow/Ballymitty 0-14, Ferns St. Aidans 0-11
- No report carried in local press
August 31: St. Mary’s (Rosslare) 5-18, Ferns St. Aidans 1-6
With a relegation decider looming regardless of the outcome, it was easy to understand why Ferns St. Aidans weren’t firing on all cylinders in this Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate Football Championship Group A tie in Bellefield on Saturday.
In contrast, St. Mary’s (Rosslare) were keen to get back to winning ways in advance of the quarter-finals after a narrow defeat to Naomh Eanna the previous weekend.
And they duly delivered with a considerable degree of comfort, easing home with 24 points to spare after leading by 2-8 to 0-4 at half time.
Wily veteran full-forward David Murphy accounted for both those goals, in the 28th and 31st minutes, after being set up by Tiarnan Rossiter and Danny Furlong respectively.
And he wasn’t finished just yet, as he added a third towards the end of the third quarter after grabbing a long delivery from his team captain Rossiter, who also claimed five points from play in an impressive display.
Ferns’ chief concern was to avoid injuries for the important games to come but, bearing that in mind, they won’t have been happy to see midfielder Patrick Breen hobbling off just before half time.
Ryan Nolan was their only attacker to pose any sort of threat, and he grabbed their consolation goal from the penalty spot following a foul on Keith Breen in the 57th minute.
That was greeted with a score at the other end that proved very popular in the Rosslare dug-out, with substitute Derek Brohan planning a beauty over the black spot to the approval of his colleagues.
It was 3-12 to 0-5 at the three-quarters mark, and Danny Furlong went on to show his finishing in gaelic football is every bit as smooth as in soccer with a sublime strike to the top left corner of the Bellefield Road end net.
Wing back Niall Walsh was picked out by substitute Larry Morrissey for the fifth goal from close range in the 52nd minute but, despite the impressive nature of this victory, Rosslare will still go into the quarter-final versus last year’s runners-up, Crossabeg/Ballymurn, as underdogs.
As for Ferns, they will have one last chance to avoid the drop when they face St. Joseph’s, although I’m sure a football won’t be seen in their field until after Sunday’s senior hurling clash with Faythe Harriers in Bellefield.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; Patrick O’Hagan, Pádraig Bolger, Keith Breen; Jonny Dwyer, James Tonks, Brian O’Neill; Patrick Breen (capt.), James Lawlor; Derek Thorpe, Tommy Dwyer (0-1), Peter Nolan (0-1); Lee Quigley, John Breen, Ryan Nolan (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-2 frees). Subs: Peter O’Toole for P. Breen (inj., 29), Christopher Davitt for J. Dwyer (41), Shane Breen for T. Dwyer (41), Ben Cowman for J. Breen (41).
St. Mary’s (Rosslare): Gavin Morris; Sean Stewart, Emmet Byrne, Liam O’Connor; Sean Finan, Naomhan Rossiter, Niall Walsh (1-0); Shea Boggan (0-2), Tiarnan Rossiter (capt., 0-7, 0-2 frees); Barry Quirke, Danny Furlong (1-3), Andrew Murphy; Conor Cafferkey (0-1), David Murphy (3-2), Lee Devereux (0-2). Subs: Larry Morrissey for Cafferkey (43), Conal Grant for Stewart (44), Richard Bent for A. Murphy (47), Ned Power for Byrne (50), Derek Brohan (0-1) for Quirke (52).
Referee: Eddie O’Sullivan (Kilanerin).
Sept. 13, Relegation Final: Ferns St. Aidans 1-10, St. Joseph’s (Bishopswater) 1-8
Ferns St. Aidans survived a couple of late scares to preserve their long-standing involvement in the Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate Football Championship with a hard-earned two-point win over St. Joseph’s in the relegation decider in Bellefield on Friday.
They needed the steadying influence provided by Paul Morris off the bench to get through this tough assignment, with the Bishopswater crew making them work hard for victory after securing an equalising goal with 13 minutes left.
Ferns were ahead by 1-7 to 0-7 when a kick goalwards by Gloudie Makiese lacked the required distance, but the ball still ended up in the net as the presence of Callum Broaders upset netminder Tony Cleere.
Two pointed Ryan Nolan frees ensured that the Gorey District side didn’t lose their way after that concession, although a good score by Jason Murphy from a tight angle in the 57th minute left St. Joseph’s chasing extra time at the very least.
When Nolan converted another placed ball, it meant that the opposition had to go in search of a winning goal as the game moved into added time, and they went close on a couple of occasions.
First of all, Paul Murphy had a penalty appeal turned down when he stretched to get a touch on the ball near the Bellefield Road end posts.
And the last throw of the dice saw Jason Murphy send in a line ball from the right, with the ball going to the far post and a scramble ensuing before it ended up going wide.
There was an early purpose to the Bishopswater side that hadn’t been seen in their earlier games, and that yielded the first three points from Jason Murphy (free and play) plus a fisted conversion from midfielder Declan Downes.
Ryan Nolan settled Ferns down from a free before his clever dink over a defender’s hand led to their goal in the 14th minute, with his cross from the left that followed being fisted to the net by John Breen (1-1 to 0-3).
They went on to lead by 1-3 to 0-5 at half time, after points from Breen and Nolan (free) drew responses from Ciarán Paige and Jason Murphy (free) respectively.
Eoin Kinsella and Ryan Nolan had goal shots saved at either end, while the experience of Paddy King was sorely missed by the Wexford town team after he had to leave his full-back post owing to injury.
It was still tight at the three-quarters stage, with Ferns ahead by 1-7 to 0-7 after Jonny Dwyer, James Lawlor (two)and Ryan Nolan picked off points, with Jason Murphy replying twice from frees for Joseph’s.
And although St. Joseph’s then got the goal they needed, a second wasn’t forthcoming after Ferns regained the lead, to leave the town team dropping back down to the Intermediate ‘A’ grade which they won in 2015.
Ferns St. Aidans: Tony Cleere; James Tonks, Patrick Breen (capt.), Conor Scallan; Pádraig Bolger, Jonny Dwyer (0-1), Keith Breen; Ian Byrne, Niall Murphy; Tommy Dwyer, Christopher O’Connor, Derek Thorpe; John Breen (1-1), James Lawlor (0-2), Ryan Nolan (0-6, 5 frees). Subs: Paul Morris for T. Dwyer (39), Gavin Bailey for Thorpe (43), Peter Nolan for J. Dwyer (60+3).
St. Jospeh’s: Jamie McMahon; Paddy Harnett, Paddy King, Calum Frankis; Gary Roche, Shaun Mullins, Ashley Houghton; Declan Downes (0-1), Ciarán Paige (0-1); Dean Roche, Paul Murphy (capt.), Derek Bergin; Eoin Kinsella, Jason Murphy (0-6, 4 frees), Eddie Lawlor. Subs: Gloudie Makiese (1-0) for King (inj., 13), Kallum Broaders for D. Roche (42), Darren Dempsey for Bergin (57), Bergin for P. Murphy (black card, 60+2).
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James’s)
