Scales tips the balance for Ennistymon in local derby

Ennistymon 0-10  Liscannor 0-8

WHAT will delight Ennistymon as much as the result was the resolve they showed to recover from poor starts to both halves in Miltown on Sunday evening.
By the 15th minute, Ennistymon found themselves 0-4 to 0-1 down to their neighbours in a game where players had to contend with a very strong cross-field wind. Ennistymon could have let self-doubt get the better of them even at that early stage but instead they kept their composure, fought their way back and were tied 0-5 each at half-time. They started the second half slowly as well and, in fact, it took them 12 minutes to register a score. Points from Brian Considine and Alan Clohessy, who scored four in total, had put Liscannor 0-7 to 0-5 up. It was in the remaining 18 minutes that Ennistymon showed what they were made of. In this period Kevin Scales, Joe Dowling, Danny Rouine and Seán O’Driscoll excelled when it really counted.
The game started with Liscannor completely dominant. Niall Considine put them ahead straight from the throw-in, while Ronan Slattery, from a free for a foul on Kieran Considine, and Alan Clohessy, with a superb individual effort, established a 0-3 to 0-0 lead.
Danny Rouine pointed a free for Ennistymon, who showed a glimpse of what was to come when Wayne Griffin shot wide after a period of impressive build-up play.
After Niall Considine fisted Liscannor 0-4 to 0-1 ahead, thanks to an Alan Flaherty interception, the 2010 county finalists didn’t score again for 14 minutes.
During this spell, three of Noel Kilmartin’s kicks-outs were hit straight at midfielder John McInerney, two of which led to Ennistymon points. McInerney, however, picked up an ankle injury and was replaced at half-time by Ronan Linnane.
Danny Rouine, one from a free and a superb point from play, scored twice in this period, while Kevin Scales and Joe Dowling added impressive scores, with Wayne Griffin involved in both from wing-back.
Liscannor moved Niall Considine from the full-forward line to midfield at this juncture and just before half-time, Alan Clohessy tied the game at 0-5 each from a dead ball.
None of the four umpires had to lift a flag until the ninth minute of the second half when Brian Considine kicked a sublime score, followed by a Clohessy free after Paul Guerin was fouled.
Danny Rouine pointed from a free but Clohessy kicked Liscannor’s last score in the 15th minute of the second half, from a free that was brought forward. Trailing 0-8 to 0-6, it was now Ennistymon who raised their game and looking fitter than Liscannor, outscored them 0-4 to 0-0 in the closing 15 minutes.
Kevin Scales, who played deeper than a conventional wing-forward, landed another inspirational point from play 10 minutes from time, while he won a crucial free after a surging run. Rouine pointed the free and another before that, while Joe Dowling kicked his second from play during this period.
Ennistymon had a number of stand-out performers, including centre-back Seán O’Driscoll, Joe Dowling, Danny Rouine, Robert McDonagh and Wayne Griffin in the first half.  Kevin Scales played a central part in the win though, scoring the second last point and winning the free for his side’s tenth score, while he also solidified the Ennisymon defence by dropping deep.
Liscannor played their best football in the early stages of both halves. They have work to do to get back to the level they reached to get to last year’s county final. They have time though as the next round of the championship isn’t until mid-August. One win was enough for Liscannor to get out of their group 12 months ago, so they won’t give up just yet.
As for Ennistymon, the challenge for them is to bring their early June form into August and September, when they meet Lissycasey and Doonbeg.

Ennistymon: David McInerney; Micheál O’Loughlin, Laurence Healy, James Murphy; Willie Murphy, Seán O’Driscoll, Wayne Griffin; John McInerney, David Murphy; Joe Dowling (captain), Robert McDonagh, Kevin Scales; Seán McGonigley, Brian Conway, Danny Rouine.
Subs: Ronan Linnane for John McInerney (injured, half-time), Joey Rouine for Robert McDonagh (48) and Oisín Vaughan for Wayne Griffin (50).
Scorers: Danny Rouine (0-6, 4f), Joe Dowling and Kevin Scales (0-2 each).
Frees won: 21; wides: 7
Yellow cards: Robert McDonagh, Ronan Linnane and Seán McGonigley.
“We made a poor start to both halves but we finished well and were happy enough with that. We have to keep going now and make sure we’re ready for the second round.” Brendan Rouine, Ennistymon manager.

Liscannor: Noel Kilmartin; Shane Canavan, David McDonagh, Michael Foley; Robert Lucas, Ronan Slattery, Dara Blake (captain); Alan Flaherty, Brian Considine; Gerry Considine, Niall Considine, Joe Considine; Kieran Considine, Alan Clohessy, Declan Fawl.
Subs: Paul Guerin for Gerry Considine (35) and Denis Murphy for Declan Fawl (53).
Scorers: Alan Clohessy (0-4, 3f), Niall Considine (0-2), Brian Considine (0-1) and Ronan Slattery (0-1f).
Frees won: 28; wides: 5
Yellow cards: Kieran Considine and Paul Guerin.
“For the first 15 minutes of both halves I thought we were in control but we finished poorly in both halves and gave away too many scoreable frees. I think that’s what beat us in the end.” Martin Guerin, Liscannor manager.
Referee: Rory Hickey.