Carnaross 0-14 Drumconrath 0-8

Carnaross emerged 6 point victors after a bruising battle with Drumconrath in Páirc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon.

Carnaross were the superior team over the course of the game but Drumconrath will rue some guilt edge goal chances that they spurned. Had they taken any of these, the game's result could have been very different but ultimately Carnaross had too much for Drumconrath. 

Carnaross raced out of the blocks taking the game to their North Meath counterparts. Great discipline and technique in the tackle ensured numerous turnovers in defence affording the forwards the chances to convert. Frank O'Reilly dictated proceedings early on converting numerous frees against the wind. Sam Reynolds curled over a fine effort and Dermot McGee stretched the Drums defence with his direct running knocking over 3 first half points.

It was a half dominated by Carnaross as they raced into a 4 points to no score lead. Frank O'Reilly scored a sublime sub 90 point when he kicked over his shoulder sending the ball skyward splitting the posts.  It was a remarkable score but it wasn't the score of the weekend. That accolade rests with Jack Roche who pointed from near 50 yards for his first competitive score for Carnaross in the Junior D playoff. Jack's recent scoring prowess is surely a result of his impeccable feline diet. 

Carnaross continued to stretch their lead as Drumconrath continued to struggle leaving it 0-08 to 0-01 after 21 minutes. Drumconrath then failed to capitalise on a hopeful delivery into the square when the ball fell kindly to their forward who blazed wide. This seemed to reignite the Drumconrath spirit and they began to match Carnaross' intensity, and added a bit of bite for measure. The O'Reillys were faultless from placed balls with Frank on the left hand side and Cian on the right side with his "weaker" foot. Eventually Drumconrath hit a mini purple patch knocking over 3 unanswered points with Terry Skelly to the fore. Carnaross brought their total to 10 with the final score of the half and went down the tunnel content with their first half performance and a lead of 0-10 to 0-5.

The second half had a different complexion as Drumconrath upped the stakes physically. They threw everything at Carnaross early on in an attempt to reignite their hopes. However a combination of wayward shooting and tight marking ensured they kicked 4 wides in the first 5 minutes at the beginning of the third quarter. Carnaross converted two frees as John L McGee was causing the Drums defence difficulties. Carnaross then lost corner back Liam Brogan to a second yellow card offence and were forced to play the last 15 minutes with a numerical disadvantage. They held a 7 point lead at this stage. The Drumconrath players continued to spurn chances as Carnaross were slightly more economical leaving it 0-13 to 0-07 with eight minutes remaining. Dermot McGee managed to knock over 2 crucial scores to keep Drumconrath at bay despite being mesmerised by Frank's masterful display. Cormac O'Reilly saw red when his late shoulder was deemed a red card offence which sparked anger in the Drumconrath camp leading to three red cards being issued (Michael Brogan got his marching orders as well as two Drumconrath players). Carnaross maintained their composure despite the chaotic conclusion by confidently keeping possession and thus ensuring a semi-final berth in a fortnight's time.

Carnaross' ability to play football ensured they emerged victorious after a titanic battle with their North Meath counterparts. Carnaross on the other hand, look forward to a semi-final match up against Group A table toppers Meath Hill, who hold the upper hand in this fixture having won the previous 3 encounters between these teams.

Carnaross: Conor Kenny; Peter Shay Farrelly, Tomás Plunkett, Liam Brogan; Sam Reynolds (0-1), Ian Donoghue, Cian Gillic; Dermot McGee (0-5), Cillian Comaskey; Niall McDonnell, Frank O'Reilly (0-6, 0-5fs), Stephen Flattery; Cian O'Reilly (0-2fs), Charles Brogan, John L McGee; Subs: Killian Porter for Stephen Flattery; Michael Brogan for Cillian Comaskey; Thomas Nugent for Sam Reynolds; Cormac O'Reilly for Niall McDonnell;

Drumconrath Report

Carnaross 0-14 Drumconrath 0-8

A 1st quarter collaspe seen Drumconrath's hope of a Semi Final appearance in JFC fade away. After playing some fine football this year this was akind to the display against Clonard when they where outplayed for the 1st half but recovered to win. While the recovery came the Reds wayward shooting when missing 5 gilt edged goal chance where all spurned. 

Backed by the fresh breeze Drums seemed to stay in the dressing room as Carnaross veteran midfielders Dermot Magee and Cillian Comiskey dominated and ensured a steady supply to the forwards. Comiskey finished with 5 points from play for the hour.

John L Magee was causing problems and Drums defence was pushing by a number of frees as Franl O'Reilly refused to miss. Carnaroos led 0-5 to 0-0 before Terry Skelly pointed on 18 to open Drums account. 

Skelly clearly hampered by injury fired a good goal chance wide after good work from Paul Tighe and some after another was missed as Daniel Byrne pulled a loose ball narrowly wide.

Skelly dragged Drumconrath on with 2 further points as Daniel Byrne and Derek Duff added points but with Carnaross pointing on nearly every attack they deservedly lead 0-10 to 0-5 at the break.

Drumconrath came out with a different attitude in the 2nd half but the misses continued and by the 33rd minute had squandered another 1-3. This game the Maroon and Yellow great confidence and sapped the Reds but Drums continued to drive forward despite Skelly being with drawn after 40 minutes. Substitutes Eoin and Niall Martin (his 1st game in 3 years) brought some much needed life to the mid field area but another two goal chances squandered was to drain Drumconrath's hopes.

Carnaross lost a corner back to a 2nd yellow after his umpteenth foul on Brendan Lyons with 10 minutes remaining and Lyons who suffered some heavy treatment throughout was the the recipient of a really late challenge right in front of the Stand which sparked disgraceful scenes and a straight Red flashed to the Carnaross sub when things eventually quietened down.

A 2nd Carnross sub also seen a straight Red some after as another altercation happened in the midfield after as Drumconrath where reduced to 14 at the same time.

Drumconrath wait now for their final game of the year a Tailteann Cup Final v Meath Hill as Carnaross play the same side in JFC Semi Finals.

Drumconrath; Eoin Muldoon; Cathal Dunne, Aidan Tighe, Peter Tighe; Jamie Myles, Stephan Crosby, Robert McEntaggart; Tomas Conlon, Sean McMahon; Derek Duff (0-3), Wayne Reilly (0-1), Daniel Byrne (0-1); Terry Skelly (0-3), Paul Tighe, Brendan Lyons. Subs; Eoin Martin for McMahon, Graham Tighe for Skelly, Niall Martin for Conlon, Chris Tighe for Byrne, Damien Glass for Dunne

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