Bragging rights go to Anne’s
ST ANNE’S………………………………………………….. 1-14
THOMAS DAVIS………………………………………….. 1-10
By Daire Walsh
A STRONG opening half paid dividends for St Anne’s at O’Toole Park on Saturday as the Bohernabreena men edged a heated battle against local rivals Thomas Davis.
With a strong wind at their backs, Anne’s raced into an early four-point lead courtesy of scores from Craig McKeown (two), Scott Fulham and centre-forward Eoin Kennedy. Davis had points by Ciaran Farrelly and Dublin panellist Paul Hudson, but Daniel Watson’s majestic goal propelled Anne’s to a commanding 1-10 to 0-2 midway cushion.
Well-worked contributions from the potent inside line of Shane McGrath, Eoin Kirby and Hudson rejuvenated the Kiltipper side upon the resumption, and even though a second long-range point by netminder David Wright eased the pressure on Anne’s, Davis set-up a tense finale when quick-fire McGrath and Hudson singles followed a 51st minute goal from substitute Chris Galvin.
Peter Boland’s dismissal five minutes from time halted Davis’ progress and with Daragh Fulham and Hudson swapping points late on, Anne’s ultimately emerged victorious.
SCORERS – ST ANNE’S: C McKeown 0-4 (4f), D Watson 1-1, E Kennedy 0-3 (1f), D Wright (2f), L O’Brien 0-2 each, S Fulham, D Fulham 0-1 each. THOMAS DAVIS: P Hudson 0-5 (3f), S McGrath 0-3, C Galvin 1-0, C Farrelly (free), E Kirby 0-1 each.
ST ANNE’S: D Wright; C Preston, R Lynch, J Leavy; D Galvin, A Shanahan, S Stewart; C Murphy, L O’Brien; B Connolly, E Kennedy, J Lysaght; S Fulham, C McKeown, D Watson. Subs: A Boland for Leavy (h-t), D Fulham for McKeown (39), N Bergin for Kennedy (57).
THOMAS DAVIS: S Blanchfield; R Sharkey, Brian Kirby, A Fallon; D Newell, Brendan Kirby, D Ryan; J O’Connor, R Deegan; S McKeown, C Farrelly, R Crilly; P Hudson, S McGrath, E Kirby. Subs: S Reilly for Ryan (h-t), P Boland for Sharkey (36), D Byrne for O’Connor (39), C Galvin for McKeown (47).
REFEREE: S McCarthy (St Vincent’s).