Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Carlow S.F.C. Round 1
Old Leighlin 2-12 Tinryland 1-10
Old Leighlin despite being reduced to 14 players for most of the 2nd half proved too strong for Tinryland in this opening game of the Carlow S.F.C. at Netwatch Cullen Park on Friday 23rd August.
The eventual winners were first to settle and within 6 minutes of the throw in were 4 points ahead after an opening point from corner forward Darragh Fitzgerald and a well worked goal from centre forward Mikey Bambrick who tormented the Tinryland defence with his pace throughout.
In the 9th minute Jonah Dunne finally opened the Tinryland account when he found space and slotted over a point. Tinryland were enjoying plenty of possession at this stage but they continually made mistakes when they penetrated the Old Leighlin defence with possession being turned over on numerous occasions.
Darragh Fitzgerald who was prominent throughout in the corner forward position extended the Old Leighlin lead in the 13th minute before Tinryland finally managed a 2nd point in the 18th minute from Matthew O’Toole after good play by Diarmaid Walshe who was one of the few Tinryland players who will be happy with his game. O'Tooles point was the cue for Tinryland to finally awake from their slumbers and the 3rd point arrived in the 20th minute courtesy of a brilliant Danny Moran special. Tinryland were beginning to find their feet at this stage winning all their own kick outs due to a great display from goalkeeper Chris Townsend who made a number of crucial saves also in that opening half. Old Leighlin goalkeeper Stephen Scallan also made an impact in this game and his well struck free in the 23rd minute extended the lead to 3 points for the men from Molaise park.
Tinryland remained competitive but continued to give the ball away in the final third of the pitch and despite another point from Diarmaid Walshe in the 26th minute the killer blow in the opening half arrived when veteran player David Bambrick ghosted in behind the Tinryland defence to deflect the ball past Chris Townsend on the stroke of half time.
Half Time score Old Leighlin 2-3 Tinryland 0-4
When play resumed Tinryland introduced Shane Redmond and Maurice Lawler into the action but Old Leighlin showed their intent at this stage denying Tinryland possession for a full 3 minutes after the 2nd half throw in. The eventual winners were dealt a blow shortly afterwards when their wing back Sean Taylor received a black card for an illegal tackle near the stand side followed by a red as he was already on a yellow. Despite their numerical disadvantage the Old Leighlin men more than held their own and in the 37th and 39th minutes extended their lead with 2 quick points. Tinryland then introduced James McGrath into the action and he made an immediate impact when he won a free on the Oak Park side of the pitch which he superbly converted to give Tinryland some hope. It was Old Leighlin who looked like they had the extra man though and Aaron Amond showed his pace when he slotted over a point before Diarmaid Walshe won a free which he converted himself. Mid way through the half Seanie Bambrick sent over another OL point before Tinryland finally broke through the defence with Shane Redmond finding the net to give Tinryland supporters renewed hope. Another Jonah Dunne point and a Diarmaid Walshe successful free saw the Old Leighlin advantage reduced to 2 points and at this stage it looked like Tinryland would finally get back on terms considering they had the extra man and Old Leighlin appeared to be tiring.
After another good save by Chris Townsend Old Leighlin sprung Cathal Coughlan from the bench and he made an immediate impact slotting over a point as Tinryland introduced Mark Lawlor into the action. Old Leighlin extended their lead back out to 4 points with a Darragh Fitzgerald point before Maurice Lawler scored one of the points of the match with a superb score with time ticking away. Cathal Coughlan who was really making an impact since his introduction kept 4 points between the teams before Danny Moran slotted over another Tinryland point as the clock moved into 4 minutes of stoppage time. Try as they might Tinryland could not break down the determined OL men who managed the game superbly scoring a further 2 points from super sub. Coughlan and Seamus Kinsella.
Tinryland must re-group now with their 2nd game against Bagenalstown Gaels fixed for Saturday next 31st August at 7.30 p.m. in Netwatch Cullen Park.
Tinryland: Chris Townsend, Danny Moran (Captain), John Murphy, Conor Ryan, Conor O’Toole, Peter Hennessy, Michael Hosey, Conor Carew, Diarmaid Walshe 0-3, Mark Mullen, Paddy Regan, Cormac O’Brien, Cathal O’Toole, Jonah Dunne 0-2, Matthew O’Toole 0-1. Subs: Shane Redmond 1-0, Maurice Lawler 0-1, James McGrath 0-1, Mark Lawlor, Shane Webb.
Old Leighlin: Steven Scallan 0-1, Tadhg O’Neill, Jordan Kelly, Roy Sheehy, Tadhg Roche, Sean Bambrick 0-1, Sean Taylor, Ian Atkinson, Shane Dooley, Seamus Kinsella 0-2, Mikey Bambrick 1-1, David Bambrick 1-0, James Dowling, Aaron Amond (Captain) 0-1, Darragh Fitzgerald 0-3 . Subs: Cathal Coughlan 0-3, Jamie Doyle.
