Roche Emmets and O’Raghallaighs faced each other in the second match of group 1 of the Avonmore Intermediate Championship at the Grove in Castlebellingham on Saturday 13th August at 6pm. The O’Raghallaighs, a fancied team by many to win this championship and after winning the first game against Na Piarsaigh by nine points were odds on to confirm their place in the quarter finals, were up against a Roche team playing their opening game in the championship following a league campaign that did not suggest an upset was on the cards. However Roche controlled sizeable periods on the game, especially in the second half but did not convert their opportunities into scores and so missed the chance to collect champion points and a boost for their next championship fixture against the Na Piarsaigh. Now this fixture becomes a do-or-die match for both clubs.

The play started with end to end attacks but resulted in two wides each before in the seventh minute the Drogheda side registered the first score, a point off a free from 25 metres. For the first quarter the O’Ragallaighs were moving the better of the two teams and appeared to be getting into the grove. But Roche opened their account on the 14th minute with a converted free from Kevin Callaghan, this was followed by wides from good chances over the following two minutes. Roche moved into a 3 to 1 point lead with well taken points from Liam Carthy and Barry O’Hare in the 18th and 19th minutes. Roche now were all over the O’Raghallaighs and complying with their managements directions from the side line. The O’Rahallaighs halted Roche’s momentum with two converted frees in the following two minutes. It was then O’Raghallaighs turn to miss points with two from placed balls, the second a possible goal chance by Graham Leech when he was found completely free but the chance was lost with a wayward shooting attempt. However the O’Raghallaighs went in at the break three in front when they scored a very soft goal in the added on time at the end of the first half. An attack down the left was delivered across the Roche goal but a feeble attempt to collect the ball by the defender and slapped to the net by the grateful attacker; it was a very soft goal for Roche to conceded especially after their battling performance in the previous 30 minutes. Half time O’Rahallaigh 1-3 Roche 0-3.

Roche came out of the blocks were in the second half with a converted free from Barry O’Hare and a very good point from Liam Carthy in the first four minutes. Carthy’s point come from a seven pass movement from the Roche defence through a Harry O’Connell to Dvid Quigley double interchange then onto Duane Callan , who delivered a foot pass to Martin Carroll who delivered to Barry O’Hare who in turn supplied Carthy. But two Roche wides left the O’Raghallaighs still a point ahead ten minutes into the second half. However, on the 11th minute the Barry Flannagan’s very good effort was worth more than a point to his side as it halted Roche’s dominance and produces a two point margin in the score again. Ruairi Moore intended it to three with a converted 35 metre free two minutes later. Another significant action was the injury to Liam Carthy on the 14th minute. His medical attention took some minutes and during this time Enda Murphy came on for Dermot Carthy with Liam moving from his wing position to the square. Roche sent another wide and then a long free into the keeps hands before Kevin Callaghan pointed a free. From the Kick out Martin Carroll collected and fed Barry O’Hare who cut the lead to a point, 1-5 to 0-7. But Liam Carthy had to retire at this point which was the loss of a cog in many of Roche’s scoring machine through the game. Kevin Callaghan sent another chance wide before Barry O’Hare scored from a 45 metre free to draw the game. O’Raghallaighs went one point up again against the run of play through a Moore converting another free from 24 metres in the 28th minute. Roche kept pushing and with the the thirty minutes up and an expected two or more minutes injury time needed the referee ended play with 20 seconds add to the annoyance of the Roche contingent. However, Roche losing this game was not due to the lack of injury time but the failure to convert their many chances and that slack goal right on the stroke of halftime. Roche did not get the reward of a win or draw their second half dominance deserved.

Roche: Aidan McCoy, Tom Quigley, Harry O’Connell, Andrew Carroll, Philip Quinn, David Quigley, Duane Callan, Martin Carroll (Captain), Aaron Callan, Liam Carthy (3pts), Dermot Craven, Patrick Quigley, Dermot Carthy, Kevin Callaghan (2pts), Barry O’Hare (3pts). Subs: Enda Murphy, Bernard McConnon.

Best for Roche: Harry O’Connell, Philip Quinn, Duane Callan, Martin Carroll, Liam Carthy, Dermot Craven, Kevin Callaghan and Barry O’Hare.

[Report: Eamonn Reilly]