Jake Corrigan strikes as Caragh cause an upset against Towers

The Auld Shebeen Bar Athy, Group B

Caragh 1-6

Round Towers 0-8

Two late points from Round Towers were not enough to overturn Jake Corrigan’s second half goal as Caragh held on to claim victory in The Auld Shebeen Athy Intermediate Football Championship.

After a tense opening ten minutes of action that saw both sides yield two sides each it was Caragh who opened the scoring. A foul from Michael Joyce allowed Eoghan O’Haire the opportunity to open the scoring with the resultant free. Converting Caragh were one clear.

Unable to build on this Caragh continued to press in the hopes of finding a second, yet two further wides is all they could muster.

Round Towers leveled matters matters following a foul from Eoghan Garry on the quarter hour mark that allowed Jason O’Brien the opportunity to level.

Determined to consolidate their effort and edge into the lead Jamie Flynn gathered Mikie Behan’s kickout before finding Sean Glennon on the right wing. Cutting inside and gathering possession, Glennon chipped over to leave one between the sides.

A further point five minutes later from David O’Neill doubled the Round Towers advantage as Garry saw yellow for his challenge on DJ Flynn in the build up.

Soon after the restart Ryan Burke gathered to serve up some early fireworks as he blasted towards Brian Robinson before watching his efforts drift wide.

A second wide from Caragh looked to be the impetus around Towers needed to kick on. A free from O’Brien had theee between the sides before Darragh Swords responded at the opposite end.

A trading of scores from Jamie Flynn and Swords again looked to maintain to two point deficit as time ticked towards the three quarter mark.

With Round Towers once more looking to build on their advantage Michael Joyce sent a long ball into the heart of the Caragh defence. With Behan gathering and working the possession into attack Ryan Doorley found himself on the end of it.
Pointing the deficit was one, within seconds it was again Doorley who looked to level matters for the first time since the fifteenth minute. Striking, Doorley rose the white flag before levelling matters.

With Swords pointing his third, Caragh were back ahead before Michael Murphy drew the sidesnlevel for the third time.
Caragh pushed forward with Jake Corrigan going face to face with Cathal Daffy watching his initial shot come off Daffy he gathered the rebound to strike again and nnet, leaving a goal between the sides.

Late points from Jay O’Brien and Glennon left the crowd on tender hooks awaiting the final whistle but with time running out Caragh held on to claim victory.

Scorers: Caragh: Jake Corrigan 1-0; Darragh Swords 0-3 (2f); Ronan Doorley 0-2; Eoghan O’Haire 0-1 (1f).

Round Towers: Jason O’Brien 0-2 (2f); Sean Glennon 0-2; David O’Neill 0-1; Jamie Flynn 0-1; Michael Murphy 0-1; Jay O’Brien 0-1.

ROUND TOWERS: Brian Robinson; Sean Glennon, Michael Joyce, Mikey Kelly; David O’Neill, Shane McQuillan, DJ Flynn; Liam McDonald, Jamie Flynn; David Kelly, Jay O’Brien, Jason O’Brien; Michael Murphy, Mark Waters, Max Cosgrave. Subs: Aaron McConville for Flynn, 46; Cathal Daffy for McQuillan, 46.

CARAGH: Mikie Behan; Cathal McKennedy, Paul Dockery, Eoghan Garry; Billy Byrne, Ryan Burke, Mattie McNally; Kevin Connor, Eoghan O’Haire; Alex Keogh, Darragh Swords, Kevin Campbell; Conor Sullivan, Jake Corrigan, Ronan Doorey. Subs: Cian Burke for Garry, 58; Fergal McKennedy for Doorley, 60.

REFEREE: Alan Lagure