Roche Emmets and Na Piarsaigh met in Pairc Naomh Bríd, Dowdallshill for the third match in Group A of the Avonmore Intermediate Championship on Tuesday 23rd August. This was a postponed match from the previous Saturday following the passing of the mother of the three O’Connell brothers, Daniel, Harry and David, on the Roche panel. The town team did not hit the front until the mid-point of the first half but when they did get in front they never lost the lead.

Na Piarsaigh 1-10 (HT 1-5) Roche Emmets 0-11 (HT 0-3)

Na Piarsaigh moved five points in front with the scoring of the only goal of the game from the penalty spot minutes before half time and were full value for that lead. Indeed it took a goal line clearance from Andrew Carroll to stop the winners recording a goal in the first attack straight from the through-in. However, Roche opened the scoring three minutes in through a well taken score from Barry O’Hare. Mark Larkin responded with a converted free from 43 metres before Barry restored Roche’s one point lead with a beautiful score in the tenth minute. Gary O’Hare brought the sides level once again two minutes later, with a fine individual effort after scything through the Roche cover. The play had been end to end up to this stage but Na Piarsaigh began collecting more scores from their procession and were winning most of the battles around the mid and half lines. Roche fell two points behind through points from Alan McCartney and David Boyle before Kevin Callaghan pulled one back with 20 minutes gone. McCartney scored his second point before he dispatched the penalty to the net just before the break. Dan O’Connell was introduced for Darren McConnon. Two further wides from Roche were registered before the short whistle. Na Piarsaigh 1-5 Roche 0-3.
Alan McCartney scored a wonderful point from deep in the corner in the first minute of the second half as Roche continued their ponderous and sluggish play. But Barry O’Hare lifted Roche’s spirits with two converted frees from 45 and 30 metres. McCartney scored another good point before Dermot Craven pulled a point back following good play from Kevin Callaghan and Dan O’Connell. Niall Franklin restored Na Piarsaigh’s five point lead from a fisted effort on the eighth minute. Kevin Callaghan then converted a free kick followed by another Na Piarsaigh point. They were moving better and that goal had brought calm and assurance to their play while Roche continued to fight harder but their handling errors continued. Dan O’Connell and Aaron Callan reduced the lead by two points but a converted ‘45’ left the score 1-10 0-9 in favour of the Rock Road team with 30 minute passed. There were many stoppages, especially in this second half and so Kevin Levin’s found it necessary to added a further five minute but Roche could not bridge the gap even though O’Hare and O’Connell converted two long frees from 45 and 50 metres. Na Piarsaigh deservedly got the win and the prize of progression in the championship.

Roche: Aidan McCoy, Andrew Carroll, Harry O’Connell, Duane Callan, Philip Quinn, David Quigley, Tom Quigley, Martin Carroll (Captain), Aaron Callan 1pt, Liam Carthy, Dermot Craven 1pt, Patrick Quigley, Kevin Callaghan (2pts), Darren McConnon, Barry O’Hare (5pts). Subs: Daniel O’Connell 2pts, Barry McConnon, Enda Murphy.

[Report: Eamonn Reilly]