ACFL DIVISION 4 FINAL REPLAY
GRAIGUECULLEN 6-8 CLONASLEE/ST MANMAN’S 1-8
THOSE of us who believed that we were in for a repeat performance of last week’s drawn game were sadly mistaken in this division four final replay.
A week previous, these two sides provided the fans with a pulsating affair in which Graiguecullen left it late to snatch a draw. However, by half time in this one, there was little doubt that the cup was heading to the Barrowsiders.
Clonaslee opened the scoring with a free from Michael McEvoy in the third minute but seconds later Graiguecullen had the first of their six goals. Bobby Doyle’s mishit shot was gathered by robust full forward Daryl Hayden who turned his man and buried the ball into the back of the net.
Hayden and Thomas Tynan traded points before a superb curling shot from Martin Fallon looped over the bar to leave a point between the sides at the half way stage in the half.
However, Graiguecullen got goal number two when a quick sideline ball from Paddy Branagan found John O’Neill. The midfielder sidestepped his man and drove the ball past the keeper.
Jamie Moran extended the lead with a free and goal number three was soon to follow. Jimmy Bolton’s barreling run was halted illegally and referee Maurice Deegan rightly awarded a penalty.
As in last week’s encounter, Lee Salter stepped up and missed but this time he made no mistake, planting the ball in the corner.
Graiguecullen ended the half with a point from John O’Neill and this left the score at 3-3 to 0-3.
It was unclear where Clonaslee could fashion a comeback from and in truth, the scoreline could have been a lot worse had it not been for the wastefulness of the Graiguecullen forwards in front of goal.
Clonaslee began the second half as they did the first, with a free. This time the scorer was Thomas Tynan.
Graiguecullen responded with goal number four. John O’Neill was central to a move which resulted in Paddy Branagan’s right footed effort nestling in the bottom corner.
Sean and Danny Larkin showed there was still life in Clonaslee with two excellent points but Graigue’s goal rush wasn’t finished yet.
Darragh Doran pointed and this was followed by goal number five.
A wonderful hand passing move involving O’Neill, Fran Doogue and Moran was finished off by Salter as he rounded the keeper in style.
Daryl Hayden pointed from the restart and minutes later we had Graiguecullen’s final goal of the game. It was Moran’s turn to round the keeper after Hayden turned provider.
Danny Larkin kept the scoreboard ticking for Clonaslee with a point and they then got a consolation goal through Michael McEvoy.
Graiguecullen finished out the game with three points, two from Moran and one from substitute John Branagan. In reply, Clonaslee could only manage another Tynan free.
It was a bitterly disappointing end for Clonaslee but a well deserved victory for Graiguecullen.
GRAIGUECULLEN: Michael Lawlor, Peter Branagan, Danny Murnane, Daithí Hurley, Conor Byrne, Darragh Doran (.-.), Bobby Doyle, John O’Neill (.-.), Joe Maher, Paddy Branagan (.-.), Lee Salter (.-.), Fran Doogue, Jamie Moran (.-.), Daryl Hayden ( Jimmy Bolton. Subs: Michael Lawlor for Maher (..mins) and John Branagan (.-.) for Doogue (..mins).
CLONASLEE/ST MANMAN’S: Cathal Burke, Conor McEvoy, Ed Conroy, Eoin Donovan, James Corcoran, Keith Hogan, Jonathan Carroll, Danny Larkin, Conor Dunne, Sean Larkin, Thomas Tynan, PJ Fitzpatrick, Michael McEvoy, Martin Fallon, Packie Delaney. Subs: Padraig Hogan for Carroll (..mins), Darren McEvoy for Fitzpatrick (H/T), Jim McCann for Conroy (..mins).
REFEREE: Maurice Deegan (Stradbally)