Brian McKee reports from Fennell Park
JFC Quarter-Final
Ciceam Ard Eoin 1-13 Na Piarsaigh 1-15
The first-half fare in the North Belfast Derby at Fennell Park between Na Piarsaigh and Ciceam Ard Eoin was a dull and mistake ridden disappointment. Both sides failed to convince supporters that braving the threatening weather was a better choice than watching Eastenders. Na Piarsaigh wouldn’t have worried too much about the complaints though, as they were very much in control in the opening half.
As the dark clouds floated across from the direction of the Cave Hill the men in black and white failed to get any rhythm into their game and it was clear from early in this game that they were struggling to match Na Piarsaigh.
Na Piarsiagh had moved into a three point lead before Cormac Mullan got his first point of the night. Liam Deegan though was very much in form, from both play and his free kicking, and it looked from early on that he was going to be the key figure in the Na Piarsaigh side.
Ciceam Ard Eoin saw a glimmer of hope to get back into this game disappear as a penalty opportunity failed to find the net, although Mullan redeemed himself a few minutes later with a glorious point from outfield.
The lack of discipline from Ciceam Ard Eoin was punished on the scoreboard by the men in green and gold, with Deegan proving ruthless from frees. Despite the poor fare, Na Piarsaigh entered the dressing rooms at half-time on double scores over Ardoyne, while the Kickhams were left with a lot to ponder.
Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-3 Na Piarsaigh 0-8
The second half began with Na Piarsaigh again taking advantage of the lack of organisation in the Ardoyne defence as Deegan planted the ball in the back of the net from a 30 metre free.
Ten minutes into the half Na Piarsaigh had stretched their lead to six points and supporters of Ciceam Ard Eoin must have feared that a complete collapse was on the way.
The Cavehill had disappeared from view in the descending darkness when Cormac Mullan stepped up for Ardoyne and slotted over a two pointer from play, a score that saw this game spark into life. The football and commitment on display for the remainder of this game was a credit to the skill and spirit of both sides.
James Og McAuley found his way into this game and he produced a display of football that would have graced the grass of any pitch in the County. He pointed twice in quick succession and his determination and energy sparked a revival in the Ardoyne side.
Six unanswered points followed, and with just under 10 minutes to go Ardoyne had drawn level with Na Piarsaigh. When Cormac Barnes slotted home an opportunistic goal with great skill, it looked like a resurgent Ardoyne were on their way to turning Na Piarsaigh over
It was then that Player of the Match Deegan stepped up to the plate and fired over a two pointer for Na Piarsaigh, and over the remaining ten minutes these local rivals were like Championship boxers exchanging blows. It was very much toe to toe until Deegan once again slotted over a two pointer from play that eased Na Piarsaigh into a one point lead.
Ciceam Ard Eoin continued to pressurise the Na Piarsaigh defence but with the scent of victory over their close rivals, Na Piarsaigh held strong. Sean Moreland raised the final white flag of the game that finished with a two point win for Na Piarsaigh and their place in the semi-final secured. If there is a more exciting second half in any game in this year’s Football Championships then just hope you are there to see it.
Final Score: Ciceam Ard Eoin 1-13 Na Piarsaigh 1-15
Ciceam Ard Eoin: 1 Tiarnan Hughes 2 Cormac Curran 3 Micheál McGreevy 4 Aran Stewart 5 Joe Gibson (0-1) 6 Pearse Marley 7 Finna Wall O’Brien 9 Gary McKernan (0-1) 11 Kealan McCallan 12 Cormac Mullan (0-8, 3f )13 Fiontain Campbell 26 Eoghan Corrigan 22 Padraig McGreevy 25 Odhran McKee 15 Ciaran McNeill(0-1) 19 Cormac Barnes (1-0) 20 Fiontain Lagan 21 Paul Baker 22 Joseph McNeill 27 Conor Magee 28 Paul Baker 29 James Og McAuley (0-2)
Na Piarsaigh 1 Eamonn McKenna 2 Darren O’Neill 3 Cormac O’Neill 4 Vincent Lismore 5 Luca Giannetto 6 Aidan Bannon (0-1) 7 Cormac Gillespie 8 Thomas Mc Farlane 9 James Smyth 10 Fion Grew (0-1)12 Philip Murray, 14 Liam Deegan (1-11) 15 Sean Moreland (0-1) 17 Ciaran McKavanagh 19 Tomás Austin 22 Piaras Donaghy (0-1) 24 Aodhan McCavanagh 23 Ronan Sharkey 25 Aogán Nugent
Referee Chris Brown
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