Francis Coughlan at Cappawhite
Cappawhite made it two from two in this year’s Maria Marron Palmers Hill Stud West Junior A Football Championship following a comprehensive win over defending champions Arravale Rovers in Cappawhite on Wednesday evening.
The sides had met twice in last year’s championship where Arravale Rovers had come out on top on both occasions. Fergal McNamara’s late goal ensured the group stage win while James Hogan’s somewhat fortuitous goal sealed victory for Arravale in their semi-final meeting.
Goals were again key in this contest however they all came from Cappawhite this time round.
Three first half goals the second from the penalty spot by Willie Barry which saw Arravale Rovers down to fourteen men temporarily laid the foundation for victory and put the game beyond Arravale Rovers.
The opening exchanges were fairly even with the sides level two points each after eight minutes. Brian Jones and Sam Carmody traded early points before Willie Barry and Cormac Maher did likewise.
Both sides were dropping numbers back and attacking on the break moving the ball at speed.
The game’s first goal arrived in the tenth minute when Kevin Stapleton scored from close range. The game continued to remain close and at the quarter mark the goal separated the sides.
Alex Webster could have had a goal when he was put through by Brian Jones only for his effort to hit the post.
Cappawhite were starting to take control of the game and points from Willie Barry and Colm O’Dwyer stretched that advantage.
The game changed in the twenty fourth minute and firmly in Cappawhite’s favour. Willie Barry was having a big influence and his high effort a point dropped short and was collected by Sam Carmody who was pulled down in the square by Arravale goalkeeper Marcus Kinane.
Referee Donie Horan issued a black card. Arravale were now forced into a change bringing on Paddy O’Donnel in goal while Cormac Maher was temporarily withdrawn.
Willie Barry converted the penalty and five minutes later with the Arravale defence withdrawn up the field he gathered possession in behind about thirty yards from goal, soloed towards goal and despite the best efforts of John Paul Lohan he kicked his second of the evening.
Cappawhite were ahead at the break, 3-6 to 0-5. Scores were few and far between in the third quarter with Cappawhite adding points from Sam Carmody and Eoghan Ryan.
Arravale did battle hard but met big resistance in the opposition defence who intercepted and broke down attacks on numerous occasions. Michael Sharpe did get in on goal but his effort went across the face of the goal.
Further goals from Kevin Stapleton and Tommy Costello sealed a comfortable victory.
Teams and Scorers:
Cappawhite: Willie Barry (2-4, (1-0p)), Colm O’Dwyer (1-1), Eoghan Ryan (0-3), Kevin Stapleton (1-0), Tommy Costello, Sam Carmody (0-2, (0-1f)
Arravale Rovers: Micheal Sharpe (0-3), Brian Jones (0-2), Cormac Maher (0-1)
Cappawhite: Dara McCarthy, Conor Gantley, Philip Gantley, Seamus Burns, Michael English, Rian Doody, Daire Duggan, Tommy Costello, David Buckley, Colm O’ Dwyer, Anthony Barry, Kevin Stapleton, Willie Barry , Sam Carmody, Eoghan Ryan
Subs used: Michael P Buckley, Mikey O’ Brien, Sean Ryan (W), Cian O’ Carroll, Neill Clancy
Arravale Rovers: Marcus Kinane, Peter Ryan, Roger O’ Connor, Brian Roche, Jack English, John Paul Lohan, Noel O’ Mahoney, Evan Ryan, Sean O’ Mahoney, Michael Bowes, Micheal Sharpe, Brendan Delaney, Alex Webster, Brian Jones, Cormac Maher
Subs Used: Paddy O’Donnell, Peter Hayes, David Kelly, Oisin Hogan
Referee: Donie Horan (Eire Og)
