Reaney rises to the occasion in Lismore win
Dungarvan's Patrick Curran with the sliothar against Lismore's Joseph O'Keeffe. Photos: Sean Byrne.
Two bold tactical moves saw Lismore pick up their first win in the Dungarvan sunshine on Saturday evening.
Midway through the second half, Shane Kearney moved centre back Ray Barry on top of Dungarvan sweeper Eddie Burke. This left five Lismore defenders on five Dungarvan attackers at one end and seven Lismore forwards on seven Dungarvan backs at the other. It paid off and Barry was the one who netted the decisive goal in the last minute.
Captain Finbar Reaney inspired his team to victory from wing back with two second half points and a goal saving block on Patrick Curran. Maurice Shanahan scored 1-6 from placed balls but he was substituted with twelve minutes left. Even though he was kept scoreless from play, it still came as a surprise. While disappointed with the decision, he roared on his team mates from the stand. Oisin O’Gorman nailed the next free that was given. Speedsters Ben O’Sullivan (1-1) and Charlie Lineen (0-3) caused trouble in the corners. Iarlaith Daly dealt with Curran when he moved into the edge of the square in the second half.
Thirteen wides proved damaging for Dungarvan. Michael Kiely (0-7) and Colm Curran (0-4) stood up in attack while Jack Lacey limited Jack Prendergast to a point from play. Darragh Lyons didn’t take the field as he is travelling at the moment. The Blues could turn to five Curran brothers however (John, Brian, Cathal, Colm and Patrick).
Lismore won the toss but chose to play against the breeze towards the country end. Dungarvan led 1-10 to 2-6 at the break but registered eleven wides. Michael Kiely pulled the strings from midfield as they opened up a 7-3 advantage. His peach of a crossfield pass created a point for wing back Tristan Loftus.
On 18 minutes, Lismore got slice of luck as Maurice Shanahan’s long distance free flew past Dungarvan number one Craig Barry and nestled in the top corner. A minute later, Dungarvan got a fortuitous three pointer as a high ball from Kiely slipped out of Iarlaith Daly’s hand and trickled over the line. Off the next attack, Ben O’Sullivan beat three Dungarvan defenders and fired to the bottom corner (1-7 to 2-3). Three goals in as many minutes.
Patrick Curran didn’t get much change off Finbar Reaney on the wing but did shoot a point from play. O’Sullivan whipped the sliotar right and wide of goal as Dungarvan kept their noses in front. The strapping Colm Curran came up with his second point of the evening.
Referee Tadhg Tobin ran towards the dressing rooms to encourage Dungarvan to come back out. With the Blues facing the breeze, Eddie Burke went back as sweeper. The sides were level seven times during the second period.
Lismore moved Ray Barry on top of the extra man. It nearly backfired straight away as Patrick Curran bore down on goal. Reaney rushed across to block him down. Maurice Shanahan then made way for Ben Shanahan Quinn. Another brave call. When the next scoreable free arrived, Oisin O'Gorman converted it (2-13 to 1-16). Level for the tenth time.
Reaney then rifled over his second long range point. With six minutes remaining, Colm Curran produced a mighty fetch in front of the Lismore goal. He offloaded to Patrick who had a fresh air shot. The ball fell to substitute Alex Shanahan but he could only rattle the side net.
The black and amber struck 1-5 without reply. The smallest man on the field Ben O’Sullivan made a big catch from a free and belted the ball over the bar. As the clock hit 60, Charlie Lineen and Tadhg Duffin created the clinching goal for Ray Barry.
Maurice Shanahan 1-6 (1-6fs), Ben O’Sullivan 1-1, Ray Barry 1-0, Charlie Lineen 0-3, Finbar Reaney, Oisin O’Gorman (1f), Joseph O’Keeffe 0-2 each, Tadhg Duffin, Jack Prendergast 0-1 each.
Michael Kiely 0-7 (3fs, 1 65), Colm Curran 0-4 (1f), Own goal 1-0, Patrick Curran 0-2 (1f), Joe Duggan, Sean Crotty, Eoin O’Callaghan, Cathal Curran, Eddie Burke 0-1 each.
Fionn O’Gorman; David Prendergast, Iarlaith Daly, Connor Howard; Aaron Whelan, Ray Barry, Finbar Reaney; Joseph O’Keeffe, Joe Lenihan; Oisin O’Gorman, Jack Prendergast, Jordan Shanahan; Charlie Lineen, Maurice Shanahan, Ben O’Sullivan.
Paddy Foley for Lenihan (HT), Tadhg Duffin for Jordan Shanahan (45), Ben Shanahan Quinn for Maurice Shanahan (48).
Craig Barry; Kealan Daly, John Curran, Mikey Burke; Cathal Curran, Jack Lacey, Tristan Loftus; Joe Duggan, Michael Kiely; Sean Crotty, Colm Curran, Patrick Curran; Brian Curran, Eddie Burke, Eoin O’Callaghan.
Gavin Power for Daly (49), Alex Shanahan for Brian Curran (49).
Tadhg Tobin
Finbar Reaney powered his team forward in the second half.
A roar went up from the Lismore subs when Ray Barry goaled in the last minute.
Maurice Shanahan's substitution with twelve minutes left.
Dungarvan take on eleven in a row chasing Ballygunner on Saturday evening.
