Edenderry Advance To Final

Edenderry……..2-08
St Vincent’s…..0-07

The eagerly awaited Minor football semi-final re-fixture between Edenderry and St Vincent’s finally took place last Saturday in a bitterly cold Geashill. After a close contest throughout most of the game, it was two second half goals from cousins Terry Reilly and Mark Young which booked Edenderry’s place in the final against Tullamore.

Edenderry were quickest out of the traps, and won a 45 metre free from their first attack. Seanie Moore kicked the resulting free, which was tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper for the opening point of the game. St Vincent’s responded well and scored two quick points, one from play and one from a free to go a point ahead. But Derek Kelly levelled the scores, as he kicked a nice point after Seanie Moore found him in space with a quick free. Edenderry had Stephen Guing to thank as he made a fantastic last ditch block at the expense of a 45′, which was subsequently missed by St Vincent’s. At the other end Paddy Lynch went close to scoring a goal, but a defender got across him at the last second to dispossess him. St Vincent’s went back in front when they converted a free, before Mark Young kicked a lovely point, after been found in space with a good pass from Seanie Moore. Edenderry nearly took the lead, but Derek Kelly was unlucky to see his free kick rebound off the post. Instead of being a point in front Edenderry then fell a point behind, as St Vincent’s raced up field to kick their fourth point. Yet again the sides were level, this time Paddy Lynch scored a very good point, after Mark Young found him with a great cross field pass. St Vincent’s then had their goalkeeper to thank as he advanced off his line to make an excellent save from Derek Kelly. With the first half drawing to a close Edenderry went in front when Seanie Moore finished off a great team score. The move was started when Colin McCormack found Mark Young with a kickout, who then played a one-two with Diarmuid Meleady, and Mark then passed to Terry Reilly, who found Seanie Moore with a good pass, who kicked a great point.

Halftime, Edenderry 0-05 St Vincent’s 0-04.

Shortly after the re-start St Vincent’s levelled the game with a good point. But Edenderry soon regained their lead when Derek Kelly sent over a long range free kick. The Edenderry management then made a substitution when they introduced Stuart Cullen in place of Shane Forde. Edenderry then made their first huge step towards winning this game when Terry Reilly finished expertly past the St Vincent’s goalie to the back of the net, after a pin-point pass from Seanie Moore. Only a few moments later Edenderry grabbed their second goal, when Philip Farrell launched a long ball into the St Vincent’s goal-mouth, where Mark Young jumped highest to beat the goalie, and punch the ball to the back of the net. St Vincent’s then pulled a point back when a shot went over off the crossbar. St Vincent’s nearly pulled a goal back when they hit a good shot, but luckily for Edenderry they had an alert Conor O’Donoghue to clear the ball of the line. Derek Kelly then added another point for Edenderry when he converted a free, which was awarded by Noel Cooney when the St Vincent’s goalie lay on the football. David Hanlon was then introduced into the action in place of Paddy Lynch, before Mark Young kicked a good point. St Vincent’s last attack nearly yielded a goal, but Colin McCormack made a save, and from the rebound a St Vincent’s player won possession but was fouled. St Vincent’s then scored a point from the resulting free, which proved to be the last score of the game.

This was far from Edenderry’s best performance this year, but with the seven week break since the original semi-final, they will be delighted just to get through. But they will realise that they will need to improve greatly if they are to have any chance of beating Tullamore in the final. The club would like to wish the whole panel and management the best of luck in the final, and hopefully they can bring home the cup for the second year in a row.

Team: Colin McCormack; Diarmuid Meleady, Daniel Moloney, Paul Hanlon; Jamie Daly, Conor O’Donoghue, Stephen Guing; Philip Farrell, Mark Young (1-2); Shane Forde, Terry Reilly (1-0), Paddy Lynch (0-1); Derek Kelly (0-3), Seanie Moore (0-2), Ciaran Hurley.

Substitutes: Stuart Cullen, David Hanlon, Daniel Nolan, John Dillon, Daniel Ryan, Shane Delaney, Ciaran Cummins, Shane Cronin, Adrian Farrell.

Referee: Noel Cooney.