PERRY’ GOOD
Perryman proves hat-trick hero for Clontarf
DUBLIN MFC ‘B’
CLONTARF………………………………………….. 3-6
NAOMH OLAF……………………………………… 1-9
Daire Walsh
BILL Perryman was the star performer at Pairc Ui Bhriain on Sunday morning, as his hat-trick of goals helped Clontarf to secure a hard-earned victory over Naomh Olaf in Group One of the Minor Football ‘B’ Championship.
A late goal from full-forward Tom Keane ensured Olaf’s were within touching distance of their northside counterparts at the end of the contest, but thanks to their strong scoring blitz at the start of the second period, Clontarf ultimately finished with three points to spare.
PLAIN
It certainly wasn’t always plain sailing for ‘Tarf, though, and with ten minutes gone on the clock, they were facing into a three-point deficit.
Despite being somewhat wasteful from their opening attacks, Olaf’s eventually broke the deadlock with a sixth minute point by centre-forward Eoin Foley, and this was swiftly followed by fine scores from Keane and industrious half-forward Jack Dalton.
Indeed, Dalton was unfortunate that his fisted effort didn’t find the back of the’Tarf net, but after fielding the ball in spectacular fashion, Glenn Soraghan extended the home team’s lead.
‘Tarf found it difficult to settle into the play for much of the first quarter, but they received a major lifeline on 13 minutes, when corner-forward Rory Clarke was fouled inside the square as he was about to take a shot on goal.
Perryman stepped forward for the subsequent spot-kick, and from a distance of 11 metres, he fired confidently beyond the reach of Olaf’s netminder Adam O’Callaghan.
This breathed fresh life into their challenge, and even though the Sandyford outfit responded with a second point from the influential Keane, ‘Tarf were beginning to work their way into contention.
A goal-bound strike from centre-forward Kevin Lillis was tipped over by O’Callaghan just past the 20-minute mark, and although the deployment of Olaf forward Tom McGurke as a sweeper was causing problems for the ‘Tarf inside line, they were gradually gathering more possession in the vital midfield sector.
PRESENCE
The presence of Kevin Mangan as an extra player at the heart of their defence was also a plus for ‘Tarf, and thanks to a well-worked point by Barry Davis 27 minutes in, parity had been restored in time for the interval (1-2 to 0-5).
This meant that the tie was delicately poised upon the resumption, but having enjoyed a productive end to the opening half, ‘Tarf continued to take the game to their opponents during the third-quarter. Full-forward Davis added to his personal tally from a 30-metre free, and following excellent approach work by Clarke, Perryman coolly claimed his second major of the game five minutes into the half.
Clarke’s selfless approach was a feature of the ‘Tarf play throughout, and he also provided the spadework for Perryman’s third goal just two minutes later.
As a result of this unanswered 2-1 salvo, Olaf’s suddenly found themselves in a precarious position, and despite bringing their 24 minute barren spell in front of the posts to an end with a free from the reliable Keane, Lillis replied with his second point of the day for ‘Tarf.
Olafs never allowed their heads to drop at any point, however, and Ronan Waters added an extra dimension to their attacking play when he entered the fray in the second half. He split the posts 14 minutes from the end, and Keane was also on target after ‘Tarf custodian Neil O’Hanlon had overcarried.
A brace of scores by centre-fielder Nathan Doran either side of this point meant that ‘Tarf were six points to the good with just two minutes remaining, but after narrowly missing the mark from an earlier goal-chance, persistence finally paid off for Keane two minutes into time added on.
A pass by full-back Conor Kirwan set-up this three-pointer for Keane, but in spite of their best endeavours, Olafs ultimately suffered a narrow reversal, and will be hoping for better fortune when they face St Vincent’s on Sunday week.
Scorers – Clontarf: B Perryman 3-0 (1-0 pen), N Doran (1f), B Davis (1f), K Lillis 0-2 each, Naomh Olaf: T Keane 1-4 (0-3f), C Ronayne, G Soraghan, E Foley, J Dalton, R Waters 0-1 each.
CLONTARF: N O’Hanlon; K Coyne, L Howley, C O’Mahony; K Mangan, C Doran, J McDonagh; N Doran, S O’Quigley; P Perryman, K Lillis, C Walshe; R Clarke, B Davis, K Miller.
SUBS: E McNamee for Miller (33), J Higgins for McDonagh (46), B Renihan for Walshe (52).
NAOMH OLAF: A O’Callaghan; D Coleman, C Kirwan, O Bracken; A Walsh, L Doran, R Gallagher; S McDaid, C Ronayne; G Soraghan, E Foley, J Dalton; C McInerney, T Keane, T McGurke.
SUBS: R Waters for McInerney (36), F O’Sullivan for Bracken (41), J Byrne for Dalton (46).
MENTORS – CLONTARF: P McCaffrey, J Gahan, O Mangan, B Smyth. NAOMH OLAF: C Soraghan, D Egan, A Boyle.
REFEREE: Simon Redmond (St Anne’s).
WIDES – Clontarf: 12 (7+5). Naomh Olaf: 7 (4+3).
CONDITIONS: Bright and sunny, but the surface was quite greasy at times.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Bill Perryman (Clontarf).