This article is from page 114 of the 2009-10-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 114 JPG
WITH senior status for 2010 at stake, a hard fought encounter was always a given. In that regard those in En- nistymon on Sunday for his high noon clash weren’t left disappointed.
It was a battle from throw-in to fin- ish. No surprise then that not all of this psyched-up aggression remained under control. Michael Rock was kept busy, flashing red twice and yel- low nine times in this fight for sur- vival in the top flight.
Ballyvaughan started this fight much the better — notching 1-1 inside five minutes that teed them up for a
1-4 to O-4 interval lead, but on the turnover it was St Joseph’s who re- ally came good on the back of Dav- id O’Brien’s 4lst minute goal that helped them turn a four-point deficit into a five-point victory.
Ballyvaughan’s dream start was the result of their renowned possession game — in almost rugby like fashion the Ballyvaughan players passed the ball across the field with John Mar- tyn finishing the move to the net when palming home from just out- side the square.
However, St Joseph’s did not lie down and responded excellently with three points in a row from Johnny
O’Brien (2) and David O’Brien to leave one between the sides after 15 minutes.
Ballyvaughan did regain control before half-time their own hat-trick of points, the pick of which was Ja- son McDonagh’s sideline effort, but it was St Joseph’s who really turned the screw in the second-half.
Cathal O’Sullivan’s point in the first minute had them on their way, while their vital score came ten minutes later. They stole the goal they desper- ately needed when David O’Brien’s shot crept under Damien McNamara in the Ballyvaughan goal.
Momentum had switched sides as
the Parish sneaked into the lead for the first time, but their good work looked to have been undermined when Keith Whelan received a red card for a striking offence, only for the game to be reduced to 14 aside five minutes later when Ray Casey got his marching orders.
The introduction of sub Colm Mul- len for Barefield was very effective as he totalled two points and created a number of other chances. This, in addition with fantastic free taking by O’Brien drove St Joseph’s to victory.
The five-point margin between the sides at the end may have been harsh but its intermediate football for Bal- lyvaughan for 2010 and another sur- vival act brought off by St Joseph’s.