Game of the Weekend
Hodson Bay Hotel SFC Group B, round 2
PÁDRAIG PEARSES 3-15
BOYLE 2-12
The final margin might suggest a high-scoring, competitive battle in Strokestown on Friday night, but nothing could be further from the truth as Pádraig Pearses powered their way to a comprehensive victory, playing some superb attacking football, particularly in the first half.
Pearses eased off on the throttle in the final quarter and were outscored by 1-4 to 0-1 in the last 16 minutes, but the result was a foregone conclusion long before that.
On a perfect evening for football, Boyle scored first when their best player on the night, Cian McKeon, was on target in the opening minute. It was a false dawn for Fergal O’Donnell’s men, however, as Pearses swept forward, their accurate kick-passing and slick movement a joy to behold, and it was not long before they were racking up the scores.
Two-pointers from Ronan Daly and Declan Kenny sent them on their way, and when Tom Butler and Keelan Kelly pointed it was 0-6 to 0-1 after only nine minutes.
On a rare excursion into Pearses territory in the 10th minute, Boyle got back into the match, if only temporarily. Daire Cregg’s long ball over the top reached Luke McGrath inside the Pearses cover. He was unceremoniously taken out by Pearses netminder Paul Whelan, and the award of a penalty was one of the easiest refereeing decisions of the year for Ian Monaghan.
Whelan was lucky to escape with a yellow card, while McGrath had to go off injured after the clash. Donie Smith crashed the spot-kick to the net and Boyle were back within two points.
Pearses, however, were in almost total control and pulled away convincingly. After Lorcan Daly added a point from play, Jack Nevin got in for a superb goal in a move that he started and finished in the 16th minute. Goal number two arrived in the 23rd minute, another superb move finished by Thomas Carey.
Donie Smith kicked a monster two-pointer for Boyle in the 24th minute, but Pearses were undeterred and Jack Tumulty scored their third goal in the 26th minute. It was great football to watch and by half-time Pearses led by 3-11 to 1-6. Boyle’s plight was compounded in the 29th minute when corner-back Michael Hanmore was sent off for a second yellow-card offence.
The second half was a disappointment. Pearses held on to possession, having done enough damage in the opening half, and the same intensity was not there. By the 40th minute Pearses led by 3-14 to 1-8.
Boyle were better in the final quarter but will be disappointed with their showing and will have to improve ahead of their clash with Roscommon Gaels in round three.
Cian McKeon and Donie Smith kicked second-half two-pointers for Boyle, while substitute Jack Moran scored a goal in the dying seconds to put some respectability on the final scoreline. Pearses’ Lorcan Daly was red-carded in the 57th minute for a second yellow-card offence, but the game had been over as a contest long before that.
Boyle will need Enda Smith back as soon as possible, as this was a poor display from Fergal O’Donnell’s charges. For Pearses, this was another excellent outing and, even at this early stage, impressive wins over Roscommon Gaels and Boyle mark them out as genuine contenders for later in the championship.
Following Roscommon Gaels’ victory over Clann na nGael, Pearses will now top the group with one round remaining, while Boyle will play Roscommon Gaels to decide who finishes second and third.
Teams and scorers
Pádraig Pearses: Paul Whelan; Mark Richardson, Caelim Keogh (0-2), Jack Downey; Jack Nevin (1-1), Ronan Daly (0-2, 2p), David Murray; Tom Butler (0-1), Declan Kenny (0-2, 2p); Jason Cunningham, Lorcan Daly (0-1), Keelan Kelly (0-1); Paul Carey (0-2, 1 free), Thomas Carey (1-0), Jack Tumulty (1-2). Subs: Adam McGreal for T. Carey (38), Hubert Darcy (0-1, free) for Tumulty (40), Conor Harley for Butler (46), Charles Nevin for Cunningham (51), David Donnellan for Whelan (57).
Boyle: Sean Garavan; Mark Dwyer, Luke Glennon, Michael Hanmore; Oisin Cregg (0-1), Daniel Casey, Tadgh McKenna; Niall O’Donnell, Daire Cregg (0-1, free); David Flanagan, Cian McKeon (0-4, 1 free, 1 2p), Cathal McKeon; Cathal Feely, Donie Smith (1-6, 1-0 pen, 2 x 2p, 1 free), Luke McGrath. Subs: Jack Moran (1-0) for McGrath (12), Roch Hanmore for Cathal McKeon (half-time), Killian Cox for Dwyer (half-time).
Referee: Ian Monaghan (St Brigid’s)
Man of the Match: Declan Kenny (Pádraig Pearses)
