First-half goals seal victory for Ennistymon

Ennistymon 4-5 St Joseph’s Miltown 1-7

Three first-half goals, two within four minutes of the half-time interval, were largely instrumental in securing Ennistymon’s place in the upcoming minor A final. Ennistymon 4-5 St Joseph’s Miltown 1-7

Three first-half goals, two within four minutes of the half-time interval, were largely instrumental in securing Ennistymon’s place in the upcoming minor A final.
The goals helped Ennistymon into a 3-2 to 0-2 interval lead and although Miltown fought back, they couldn’t cope with the concession of those goals.
Playing with the wind, Ennistymon didn’t settle immediately and in fact, Miltown led 0-2 to 0-1 after seven minutes in Doonbeg. Cathal Hogan, who was sent off in the second half and Aidan McGuane, following a terrific run, scored Miltown’s early and indeed only first-half points.
A hint of what was ahead for Miltown was glimpsed in just the second minute when corner-back Seamie Parrra cleared off the line from Ennistymon corner-forward Jamesie McGonigley. In fact, Parra also affected a superb block on the same player in the first half.
McGonigley was involved in the move that created Ennistymon’s first goal in the 19th minute. He popped a pass to Barry Keating, who found the net. Cathal McDonagh added 1-1 soon after, his goal a calm finish after a direct ball had been driven in to the Ennistymon full-forward.
Two minutes later, Enda Ralph goaled from play. The Ennistymon centre-back had already scored the game’s first point, after a smartly taken 45.
Miltown needed an early second-half goal to give themselves a reasonable chance. They didn’t manage that but the Cleary twins and Cathal Hogan did kick five points between them in the opening 12 minutes. In the same period though, Miltown goalkeeper Craig Flanagan had to save twice from Cathal McDonagh and Jamesie McGonigley.
Ennistymon eventually hit the net for the fourth time when Cathal McGonigley netted, having been fed by Barry Keating. Three minutes later, Ryan O’Halloran scored the point of the game in a move started down field by Joey Rouine. Ennistymon now led 4-4 to 0-7 although Eoin Cleary goaled from a Miltown free three minutes later. The goal came too late, however, to aid Miltown’s chances of reeling in Ennistymon.
The closing minutes featured just one more score when Ennistymon substitute Kevin Hehir pointed.
Ennistymon were better balanced and their brace of late goals in the first half were a huge help in securing their place in the final against Kilmihil.

Ennistymon: Liam Slattery; Ciarán Vaughan, Oisín Vaughan, Ryan Doyle; Brian Davies, Enda Ralph, Eoin Davies; Ciaran Devitt, Kevin Falvey; Cathal McGonigley, Joey Rouine, Ryan O’Halloran; Barry Keating, Cathal McDonagh, Jamesie McGonigley.
Subs: Kevin Hehir for Kevin Falvey, Michael Lee for Ryan O’Halloran, Declan Sexton for Ciaran Vaughan.
Scorers: Cathal McDonagh (1-1, 1f), Enda Ralph, Cathal McGonigley (1-1) each, Barry Keating (1-0), Ryan O’Halloran, Kevin Hehir (0-1) each. 
Wides: 11; Frees won: 29; 45s: 1
Yellow cards: Cathal McDonagh, Oisín Vaughan, Cathal McGonigley.

Miltown: Ciarán Flanagan; Ciarán Kenneally, Martin Rynne, Seamie Parra; Seán Mahony, Donal Keane, Anthony O’Brien; Aidan McGuane, Darragh McDonagh; Liam O’Connell, Conor Cleary, John O’Brien; Luke Reidy, Eoin Cleary, Cathal Hogan.
Subs: Jonathon Normoyle for John O’Brien, Jude Clancy for Ciarán Kenneally.
Scorers: Eoin Cleary (1-2, 1-0 pen), Conor Cleary (0-2, 0-1f), Cathal Hogan (0-2, 0-1f), Aidan McGuane (0-1).
Wides: 8; Frees won: 27
Yellow cards: Cathal Hogan.
Red card: Cathal Hogan.

Referee: John Hannon, Michael Cusack’s