By Johnny O'Connell
Glenville 1-5
Erin’s Own 1-12
Venue: Carrig na bhFear
Our Junior A Footballers exited the East Cork championship at the quarter final stage after a tough and physical battle against a strong Erin’s Owen side. Conditions were poor on the day but that didn’t stop the two teams from playing out a good game of football.
Glenville had the upper hand in the opening quarter despite playing against the breeze. We were dominating the midfield area but the cause wasn't helped after two minutes when Willie O’Leary picked up a black card. His replacement, Darragh O’Callaghan, however proved to be more than willing and able. Noel Cahill opened the scores in the fifth minute to put us one in front. Erin’s Own were looking dangerous on the counter attack and it wasn’t long until the teams were level. They went on and hit the next three scores without reply as they lead 0-4 to 0-1 after 20 minutes. Another set back saw Dennis Buttimer, who was in on goal at the time and looking extremely dangerous, pull a hamstring just as he was about to pull the trigger. Brendan Maloney reduced the gap to two points with a lovely point free in the 25th minute. From the resulting kick out we worked the ball up the field to super sub Darragh O’Callaghan who hit a great goal to put us one in front.
As the halftime drew closer, Glenville's confidence grew and Jason Foley got his name on the score sheet in the 29th minute to increase the lead to two. Erin’s Own always looked dangerous going forward as they carved through the Glenville defence and won themselves a penalty. A double blow saw Ger Cahill, who had been dominant in midfield, receive Glenville's second black card. He was replaced by "London boy" Sam Bracken, who had been out injured since the start of the year. The penalty however was stopped by the brilliance of Eoin Barry with a vital save down low to his left. This was to be the first of many saves the debutant goalkeeper was to make getting Glenville out of jail on several occasions. Erin’s Own almost got in for a goal moments later but their effort flew high and over the bar, leaving only a point in it at half time with Glenville leading 1-3 to 0-5.
Jason Foley opened the scores at the start of the second half to put us two in front but two Erins Own scores left the sides level. With 13mins remaining the turning point came when two Glenville backs, Diarmuid McCarthy and Brian Fenton collided dangerously leaving both on the floor with serious injuries. The referee let play go on however and Erins Own scored a goal. The is was a huge blow to Glenville, and the remaining 10mins saw Erin’s Own dominate as they hit 5 points without reply. Brendan Maloney got his second point of the game in the 60th minute but Erin’s Owen ran out winners on a score line of 1-5 to 1-12.
Glenville will be bitterly disappointed but can be proud of a great effort to reach this stage of a very competitive competition. There is still a long year left for these players, most of whom will be involved on Monday night with the intermediate panel. Also our Junior footballers still remain unbeaten in the Division 2 Football League and are on course to winning back to back league titles.
Upcoming fixtures Mon April 4th Under 11 FBL V Glanmire Away @11:00
Mon Apil 4th Intermediate Football Championship V Milstreet @ 19:00 in Coachfoard