Image courtesy Paul Barrett
NAOMH MEARNÓG 0-8
CARAGH 0-13
It proved a disappointing hour for Naomh Mearnóg as they succumbed to Caragh by five points in their AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Football Championship decider at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon.
The first-half was a dour and error-ridden affair with the highlight being a wonderful penalty save from Michael Behan to deny Karl Lynch Bissett as the visitors led by two points by half-time.
There was greater enterprise on show from both teams upon the restart but Jake Corrigan’s four second-half points proved pivotal as Caragh held on for a deserved triumph.
It was the visitors that settled more quickly into the contest and after kicking two wides, they eventually took a deserved lead through a 5th minute point from Jake Corrigan.
The hosts struggled to place any concerted pressure on the Caragh defence but were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Karl Lynch Bissett was fouled close to goal after a typically threatening run from deep.
However, Lynch Bissett was denied from the spot by a sprawling save to his left from Michael Behan but Mearnóg gained some reward when levelling through an excellent point by Tommy Cosgrove from the resultant ‘45’.
They gained confidence from that score with Jamie Walsh making a couple of timely interventions and deservedly took the lead at the start of the second quarter courtesy of Shane Kavanagh.
The momentum swung back in Caragh’s favour the longer the half evolved as they restored parity through a superb point off the outside of the boot from wing-back Conor Sullivan in the 24th minute.
An Eoghan O’Haire free soon after regained the lead for the Kildare champions and they doubled that advantage in the 28th minute thanks to a sublime score from Ryan Burke as they entered the break leading by 0-4 to 0-2.
Caragh’s momentum continued in the early stages of the second-half with Darragh Swords making light of an acute angle to push his team three points clear, albeit Lynch Bissett replied in an instant to offer encouragement to the hosts.
That semblance of positivity was short lived as the visitors punished some loose marking with fine scores from Ronan Doorey and Corrigan as the contest seemed to be slipping away from the Portmarnock outfit.
Their character could not be faulted however as they showcased the battling qualities that have been a feature of their provincial run, limiting their arrears thanks to points from Lynch Bissett, Kavanagh and Bernard Deay.
A brilliant ‘45’ from Lynch Bissett in the 48th minute brought Mearnóg to within a point but much of their good work was undone in an instant as Caragh struck for a brace of points inside a minute through Corrigan and Josh Gannon.
Lynch Bissett kicked two frees to keep Mearnóg in with a fighting chance but those hopes were extinguished as the visitors finished on the front foot with Corrigan’s brace and Dan Campbell’s score securing a worthy win.
Scorers – Naomh Mearnóg: K Lynch Bissett 0-4 (2f, 1 ’45); S Kavanagh 0-2 (1f); B Deay, T Cosgrove 0-1 apiece. Caragh: J Corrigan 0-5; D Swords 0-2; C Sullivan, R Burke, J Gannon, R Doorey, E O’Haire (f), D Campbell 0-1 apiece.
Naomh Mearnóg: M O’Connor; D Byrne, F O’Connor, R O’Loughlin; T Cosgrove, E Kelly, C Archer; S Hawkshaw, C Madden; S Kavanagh, K Lynch Bissett, J Walsh; B Deay, M Gibbs, H Collier. Subs: A Fee for Collier (42), B Smith for Archer (47), F Doyle for O’Loughlin (55), K O’Brien for Hawkshaw (59), O Taylor for Walsh (64).
Caragh: M Behan; C McKennedy, M McNally, B Byrne; C O’Sullivan, R Burke, P Dockery; K Connor, D Swords; D Murray, K Campbell, J Gannon; E O’Haire, J Corrigan, R Doorey. Subs: L Blake for Connor (Temp, 28-31), A Nevin for K Campbell (47), F McKennedy for Gannon (51), C Burke for Sullivan (61), D Campbell for Doorey (64).
Referee: Kevin Williamson (Offaly).
