Knockbeg Junior Footballers got their South Leinster championship campaign off to a commanding start with a win against a strong St Peter’s side played in Eire Og GAA.
Although the rain was able to hold off for the duration of the game, the pitch was very heavy and quite difficult to play on. Some might have thought this would have hindered Knockbeg’s game plan but Oisin Doyle was able to win the throw up and go down the field for a score instantaneously. St Peters were able to win the resulting kickout and move up the field. After some patient play by St Peters, they were able to capitalise on a free conceded by the Knockbeg defence. This brought the game back to level terms. After some ill-discipline by the Wexford side, Conall Bergin was able to kick-off his scoring tally, knocking over two frees both inside the 21. Knockbeg began to dominate with a point from Oisin Hooney. Kyle Nolan was dragged down in the large rectangle and Conall Bergin was able to convert the penalty. Jack Doyle added another point with Oisin Doyle scoring 1-1 within 3 minutes. St Peters were able to get another point before half time from a free leaving the score at 2-6 to 0-2 in favour of the home side.
The second half started off similar to the first with Oisin Hooney scoring within the first minute of the restart. St Peters worked the ball well up the field and would have scored a goal only for an excellent save from Oisin Ramsbottom to tap it over the bar for a peters score. Conall Bergin was able to add 2 more points from frees and 1 point from open play while Michéal Downey was able to turn his man and add another to Knockbeg’s cause. Although Knockbeg were dominating most aspects of the game, St Peters were able to cash in on some defensive mistakes, scoring 2 goals in 2 minutes. This gave them some hope leading into the last 15 minutes of the game but Conall Bergin was able to add to his personal tally to 1-6 on the day and put Knockbeg into a good position going down the home stretch. Good points by Conor Bowe and Oisin Nolan secured Knockbeg a hard-earned win.
Final score: Knockbeg 2-14 St Peters 2-4
Oisin Ramsbottom (Park- Ratheniska), Fiacc Brennan(Palatine), Fergus Langton, Sean McDonald(Stradbally), Jack Byrne(Graiguecullen), Oisin Nolan(Castledermot), Jesse McEvoy(Ballylinan), Aodhan Lowry(Arles-Kilcruise), Oisin Doyle(Clonmore),Kyle Nolan(Eire Og), Oisin Hooney(St. Joseph’s), Conor Bowe(Palatine), Jack Doyle(Palatine), Micheal Downey(Ballylinan), Conall Bergin(Grangenolvin).
Subs used: Ruairy Scully(Athy), Oran O’Callaghan(Tinahely), Lee Shannon (Palatine)
By Michael Wall and Colin Dunne TY
