By Johnny O'Connell
The Black and Amber Victorious In Opening Round
Glenville 0-14
Millstreet 0-11
Venue: Coachford
Our Intermediate footballers have advanced to the 4th round of the Championship after a thrilling match against a strong Millstreet side. Having spent the last ten years in the Premier grade we found ourselves back in the Intermediate A grade after an unforgettable 2014 championship which saw us relegated. In contrast we faced an on form Millstreet side that are the reigning Junior County Champions. There is a bit of history between both sides also. We last faced each other in 1997 which saw us relegate Millstreet down to the Junior Level, so motivation would surely not be an issue for the men from the Kerry border.
Conditions were ideal on the day. Millstreet laid down a marker with the opening score inside the 1st minute. But this would be their only score until the 20th minute as Glenville took control. Our complete dominance in midfield lead to scores from Dilan O’Donovan, Kieran Coakley, Paudie Cahill, Sean O’Callaghan and Willie O’Leary. Glenville were leading 0-7 to 0-1 after 20 minutes. But this frantic pace was tough to maintain, and the next nine minutes were all Millstreet. A string of unanswered points left the scores 0-8 to 0-5 to Glenville at half time. The scoreline flattered Millstreet slightly, and it looked as if Glenville might rue their missed chances.
Millstreet, famous for being the location of the most inspirational, heart pumping, toe-tapping Eurovision interval act of all time, the Riverdance, must have been up to something similar in the dressing room at half time, as their purple patch continued into the second half. They were always dangerous on the counter attack, and they carved their way through the Glenville defence on numerous occasions. An excellent save by goalie Aaron Ricken was followed moments later by a save off the line by corner back Diarmuid McCarthy. It's unclear how Diarmuid managed to get an arm to the shot, but the manoeuvre proves once and for all that last years shoulder surgery was a complete success.
After a few more close calls, and another excellent Ricken save, Glenville finally managed to steady the ship. Two great scores from Paudie Cahill and Noel O'Riordan left the score at 11-10. Substitutes Pa Cronin and William Connolly proved to be a huge factor in the Glenville forward line. Man of the match Ben Halbert was once again first out to a long Eoin O’Reilly ball, and as he was doing all day, he took on his man, broke past the Millstreet defence and kicked over a great score to increase our lead. The last five minutes were nip and tuck. Millstreet threw everything they had at Glenville in the closing minutes, even using their water bottles to great effect in tripping up Sean O'Callaghan while he was in full flight.
But two Paudie Cahill points in injury time increased the lead back out to three and insured that it was Glenville who would be the "Rock and Roll Kids" on this occasion. There was relief around the Glenville camp as we won on a score line of 0-14 to 0-11.
For the first time in many years Glenville will now progress directly to the fourth round in July. The heart and skill shown by this Millstreet team would suggest there is a good chance we may meet again somewhere down the line.
Glenville Team: Aaron Ricken, Sean O’Callaghan, Mossie Barry, Diarmuid Mc Carthy (captain), Eoin O’Reilly, Paddy O’Regan, Denis Hegarty, Noel O’Riordan, Kevin O’Neill, Kieran Coakley, Dilan O’Donovan, Willie O’Leary, Ben Halbert, Paudie Cahill, Aaron Collins.
Subs: Pa Cronin for Aaron Collins, William Connolly for Eoin O’Reilly, Ger Cahill for Kieran Coakley
Also on the panel were Eoin Barry, Mike Kennedy, , Ger Cahill, Pa Cronin, Darragh O’Callaghan, Noel Cahill, Sam Bracken, Brendan Maloney, Anthony Cronin, Niall Griffin Brian Fenton, Eamon Counihan, Josh Cooke, Cathal Maloney, Colm Fenton, Maurice Keane, and Thomas Dinan
The Black and Amber Victorious In Opening Round
Glenville 0-14
Millstreet 0-11
Venue: Coachford
Our Intermediate footballers have advanced to the 4th round of the Championship after a thrilling match against a strong Millstreet side. Having spent the last ten years in the Premier grade we found ourselves back in the Intermediate A grade after an unforgettable 2014 championship which saw us relegated. In contrast we faced an on form Millstreet side that are the reigning Junior County Champions. There is a bit of history between both sides also. We last faced each other in 1997 which saw us relegate Millstreet down to the Junior Level, so motivation would surely not be an issue for the men from the Kerry border.
Conditions were ideal on the day. Millstreet laid down a marker with the opening score inside the 1st minute. But this would be their only score until the 20th minute as Glenville took control. Our complete dominance in midfield lead to scores from Dilan O’Donovan, Kieran Coakley, Paudie Cahill, Sean O’Callaghan and Willie O’Leary. Glenville were leading 0-7 to 0-1 after 20 minutes. But this frantic pace was tough to maintain, and the next nine minutes were all Millstreet. A string of unanswered points left the scores 0-8 to 0-5 to Glenville at half time. The scoreline flattered Millstreet slightly, and it looked as if Glenville might rue their missed chances.
Millstreet, famous for being the location of the most inspirational, heart pumping, toe-tapping Eurovision interval act of all time, the Riverdance, must have been up to something similar in the dressing room at half time, as their purple patch continued into the second half. They were always dangerous on the counter attack, and they carved their way through the Glenville defence on numerous occasions. An excellent save by goalie Aaron Ricken was followed moments later by a save off the line by corner back Diarmuid McCarthy. It's unclear how Diarmuid managed to get an arm to the shot, but the manoeuvre proves once and for all that last years shoulder surgery was a complete success.
After a few more close calls, and another excellent Ricken save, Glenville finally managed to steady the ship. Two great scores from Paudie Cahill and Noel O'Riordan left the score at 11-10. Substitutes Pa Cronin and William Connolly proved to be a huge factor in the Glenville forward line. Man of the match Ben Halbert was once again first out to a long Eoin O’Reilly ball, and as he was doing all day, he took on his man, broke past the Millstreet defence and kicked over a great score to increase our lead. The last five minutes were nip and tuck. Millstreet threw everything they had at Glenville in the closing minutes, even using their water bottles to great effect in tripping up Sean O'Callaghan while he was in full flight.
But two Paudie Cahill points in injury time increased the lead back out to three and insured that it was Glenville who would be the "Rock and Roll Kids" on this occasion. There was relief around the Glenville camp as we won on a score line of 0-14 to 0-11.
For the first time in many years Glenville will now progress directly to the fourth round in July. The heart and skill shown by this Millstreet team would suggest there is a good chance we may meet again somewhere down the line.
Glenville Team: Aaron Ricken, Sean O’Callaghan, Mossie Barry, Diarmuid Mc Carthy (captain), Eoin O’Reilly, Paddy O’Regan, Denis Hegarty, Noel O’Riordan, Kevin O’Neill, Kieran Coakley, Dilan O’Donovan, Willie O’Leary, Ben Halbert, Paudie Cahill, Aaron Collins.
Subs: Pa Cronin for Aaron Collins, William Connolly for Eoin O’Reilly, Ger Cahill for Kieran Coakley
Also on the panel were Eoin Barry, Mike Kennedy, , Ger Cahill, Pa Cronin, Darragh O’Callaghan, Noel Cahill, Sam Bracken, Brendan Maloney, Anthony Cronin, Niall Griffin Brian Fenton, Eamon Counihan, Josh Cooke, Cathal Maloney, Colm Fenton, Maurice Keane, and Thomas Dinan