Deadly Dunwoody delivers ten points in dominant Kilrossanty opening success
Kilrossanty's Tommy Prendergast fires a shot towards the An Rinn goal as Ben Qualter can only look on during the J.J. Kavanagh & Sons Senior Football Championship clash played a Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field. Photos: Eddie Dee
Much has been said this year about how the football review committee has saved football. Those who were present for the first game at Fraher Field on Sunday must not have heard much about how football was saved, as this game was as dull and hard watch for spectators that turned up.
A gale force win blew into the road goal on the day, and when An Rinn turned around just one point behind (0-7 to 1-3), there was a feeling that the Gaeltacht side would pull away in the second half and collect the points on offer, but what we saw from them in the second half was almost akin to what we saw from Cork in this year’s All-Ireland Hurling Final.
For whatever reason, the side in blue and yellow persisted with a short-hand passing game, often playing the ball back in the direction of their own goal instead of kicking long direct balls into their inside forward line and hope that they would get the better of the Kilrossanty inside back line. And when they did opt to kick the ball into their inside forwards, some of the shooting was far below what you would expect from players playing at this level of football.
Playing against the strong wind, An Rinn did start brightly. While the Comeragh Men were first on the scoreboard with an Alan Dunwoody effort from play, the Gaeltacht hit back in fine fashion with scores from Niochlás Breathnach, Lorcan Ó Corraoin and Ray Ó Ceallaigh from a free to give them a two-point lead with just seven minutes played.
Alan Dunwoody responded with a point for the Comeragh men, but An Rinn quickly added to their lead, hitting the only goal of the game when Niochlás Breathnach played in Ben Qualter who finished past Josh Kay to give An Rinn a 1-3 to 0-2 lead.
This was as good as it got for An Rinn however. Three points in a row between the 14 and 26 minutes all from Alan Dunwoody at the An Rinn end of the ground drew the sides level, and in the time that remained in the first half, Kilrossanty pilled on the pressure on An Rinn.
Alan Dunwoody had a goal effort cleared off the line and put out for a 45 which Josh Kay kicked wide. Seamus Fitzgerald also had a goal chance but he saw his effort go wide of the post.
Kilrossanty however would turn around in front after Alan Dunwoody put over a late free to give them the smallest possible lead at the break. Would it be enough however facing into a strong wind in the second half.
If Kilrossanty were the better of the sides in much of the first half, they were by far the better of the two sides in all of the second half.
An Rinn did not score till the 52-minute despite playing with the aid of a very strong wind.
At the other end, Kilrossanty when they created chances took them. Eoin Power, Padraig Fitzgerald and Alan Dunwoody kicked points in the opening seven minutes of the half to edge their side comfortably in front.
They had to wait till the 50-minute for their next score, another Alan Dunwoody effort from a free, which was responded to with an effort from Conor Ó Cuirrín at the other end.
Both sides in the final quarter used a number of subs which caused a stop-start period.
Alan Dunwoody rounded off a good afternoon for himself in front of goal as he kicked three points in the closing two minutes to secure the win for his side.
An Rinn would end the game with 14 men on the field when Conor Ó Cuirrín picked up a controversial black card. He appeared to have been fouled twice, but when no free was coming his way decided to take his revenge out on a Kilrossanty played pulling him down as he raced towards goal, but at this stage it played no part in the final result.
Alan Dunwoody 0-10 (1 tpf, 6f), Eoin Power, Padraig Fitzgerald 0-1 each.
Ben Qualter 1-0, Nioclás Breathnach, Lorcán Ó Corraoin, Ray Ó Ceallaigh (f), Conor Ó Currín 0-1 each.
Josh Kay; Rian Hayes, Caoimhin Walsh, Stephen Prendergast; Donal Fitzgerald, Martin Dunne, Corey Kennedy; Seamus Fitzgerald, Darragh Walsh; Padraig Fitzgerald, Jack Power, Tommy Prendergast; Eoin Walsh, Paul Whyte, Alan Dunwoody.
Jack Veale for Paul Whyte (HT), Frankie De Paor for Rian Hayes (44), Conor Hayes for Darragh Walsh (BS 55-61).
Tomás Mac an t’Saoir; Darach Ó Cathasaigh, Ferdia Ó hAodha, Óisin Ó Dúnaigh; Caolán MacCraith, Ray Ó Ceallaigh, Lorcán Ó Corraoin; Jack Ó Lonáin, Cathal Ó Cuirrín; Conor Ó Currín, Jack Ó Floinn, Liam Ó Siothcháin; Nioclás Breathnach, Ben Qualter, Tadhg Breathnach.
Óisin Ó Ceallaigh for Ben Qualter (46), Seanie Mac Craith for Cathal Ó Cuirrín (46), Conaire Ó Síothcháin for Nioclás Breathnach (52), Fionn Ó Murchú for Jack Ó Lonáin (55).
Jack Bray (St. Saviours).
