FOOTBALL: Fitzpatrick double sees off CBS Ennistymon

Ennistymon CBS 0-8

Heywood CS 2-7

By Ivan Smyth

At Duggan Park

CBS Ennistymon’s dreams of a potential double are over as they suffered a five point defeat to Laois side Heywood CS. Two goals in a six minute spell from former Laois minor Shaun Fitzpatrick propelled Heywood CS to All Ireland glory. There was controversy surrounding the first goal as Fitzpatrick appeared to be inside the square when scoring his first goal of the game.

A miscued shot from Heywood CS’ Brian Duggan fell short with Fitzpatrick on hand to punch to the net. There was no doubting the legitimacy of Fitzpatrick’s second strike as he scorched through the Ennistymon CBS before finishing to the bottom corner of the net.

CBS Ennistymon summoned Brendy Rouine from the bench early in the second half as he made his presence felt at full forward. The nephew of Joe Joe Rouine saw a late 20m free blocked on the line by Heywood CS’ corner back Sam Quinn.

CBS Ennistymon had slashed their arrears to just one point when a brilliant Eanna Rouine point saw them trail 0-6 to 0-5 after 44 minutes. However Fitzpatrick’s two goals moved the contest beyond a battling CBS Ennistymon side.

In a tense opening half, Sean Rynne was the only player to find the target for Ennistymon CBS as they trailed by 0-5 to 0-3 at half time. John Nea produced two point blank saves from Fitzpatrick and joint captain Conor McWey to keep CBS Ennistymon alive.

With Shane Woods and Eanna Rouine pointing to help CBS Ennistymon trail by just a point at the start of the second half, Fitzpatrick’s strikes proved to be the game winning scores.

Despite Rynne (two) and Brendy Rouine (free) firing over, Heywood CS always held a two score lead. Rouine saw his late free blocked away as despite incessant CBS Ennistymon pressure down the stretch, Heywood CS stood firm.

CBS Ennistymon must dust themselves down and prepare for their hurling decider, also in Duggan Park. On the day, John Nea was outstanding in goals until forced off through injury on the 50^th minute mark. Sean Rynne led from the front while Liam Cotter, Shane Woods, Eanna Rouine and Brendy Rouine were other top performers.

Ennistymon CBS: John Nea (Kilfenora), James Cullinan (Inagh-Kilnamona), Dara Rouine (Ennistymon), Sean Conneely (Ennistymon), Marc O’Loughlin (Corofin), Joshua Guyler (Inagh-Kilnamona), Brian McNamara (Ennistymon), Shane Woods (Inagh/Kilnamona), Sean Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona); Liam Cotter (Ennistymon), Joshua Vaughan (Ennistymon), Niall Hogan (Ennistymon), Joshua O’Brien (Corofin), Eanna Rouine (Ennistymon), Mark Kelleher (Ennistymon).

Subs: Brendy Rouine (Ennistymon) for O’Brien (36), Seanai McMahon (Ennistymon), for Hogan (42), Conor Morrissey (Inagh/Kilnamona) for Nea (50, inj), MacDara O’Keeffe for McNamara (60+3).

Scorers: Sean Rynne (0-5, 0-2 frees), Brendy Rouine (1f), Shane Woods, Eanna Rouine (0-1 each).

Heywood CS: Liam Kehoe, Tadhg Dineen, Ryan Quinlan, Sam Quinn, Paddy Whelan, Conor McWey, Killian Byrne, Davin McEvoy, Cathal Murphy, Colin Byrne, Shaun Fitzpatrick, Alan McWey, Ben McDonald, Brian Duggan, Conor Fitzpatrick.

Subs: Cathal Lynam for Murphy (5, inj), Michael Fleming for Fitzpatrick (53), Dara Phelan for McDonald (55).

Scorers: Shaun Fitzpatrick (2-0), Alan McWey (0-3, all frees), Davin McEvoy (0-2), Cathal Murphy and Brian Duggan (0-1 each).

Referee: Brendan Healy (Roscommon).