O’Dwyer strike beats the ‘Church
Eire Og Annacarty 0-18
Upperchurch/Drombane 0-17
An injury time point from sub Paidi O'Dwyer earned Eire Og Annacarty victory over Upperchurch/Drombane in this Group 1 clash in Dundrum on Saturday.
A closely contested game, the Mid men probably deserved to get something from the encounter, but the final card fell to the sub who fired over from midfield to secure a famous victory.
By the first half water break, Upperchurch were in front 0-7 to 0-6 with Paidi Greene getting four of their scores, alongside Diarmuid Grant, Aaron Ryan and Paul Ryan points. For Annacarty, Aidan Griffin had four, Seanie Ryan and Darragh Mooney with one apiece.
However, upon resumption, the men from the West took control and four unanswered scores from Griffin, Mooney, Brian Fox and Paidi Bradshaw gave them the initiative. They also had a Dinny Crosse goal chance but the effort was batted wide.
So, by the half way mark, Eire Og were 0-12 to 0-8 in front - Mooney hitting another massive long range free to go along with a Seanie Ryan point.
Upperchurch/Drombane, who were finding it very difficult to getting into stride, fell to six in arrears early into the second half with two Aidan Griffin points for Annacarty.
But, the ‘Church would come good and they hit five of the next six scores before the second half water break, through Aaron Ryan (2), Paidi Greene, Paul Ryan and Colm Ryan as they worked their way back into the tie.
Two behind then at that water-break, Upperchurch had momentum behind them and they were back on terms by the 58th minute with Jack Butler, Paul Ryan and Luke Shanahan scores.
Seanie Ryan and Paidi Greene traded points and as the finish line came into view, both sides went in search of a winner. A few chances went abegging but only sub Paidi O'Dwyer managed to take one, and Annacarty held out for the famous victory - the reaction of the players and the mentors showing exactly what this win meant to them.
Without doubt, this was a significant win for Eire Og Annacarty for whom Brian Fox, Aidan Griffin, Paidi Bradshaw, Sean Ryan, Conor O'Brien and Darragh Mooney were in sparkling form – Mooney hit three long range points from frees and swatted away a number of Upperchurch/Drombane efforts at goal too.
This defeat is a big blow to The Church, but they can take some consolation in their fighting spirit. Yes, they left many chances after them – 18 wides in total – but they didn't give up the chase and were unfortunate to get caught with that last gasp sucker punch at the end. Gavin Ryan and Aaron Ryan were in fine form for them while Paidi Greene, Paul Ryan who hit 0-4 from play, Matt Ryan and Dean Carew were also prominent. They have a big task ahead now to pick themselves up and get going again after this setback.
Player of the Match: Aaron Ryan (Upperchurch/Drombane)
Eire Og Annacarty: Darragh Mooney (0-3f), Diarmuid Ryan, Paul Devlin, Mikie Bradshaw; Conor O'Brien, Brian Fox (0-1), Stephen O'Brien, Paudie Bradshaw (0-2), Eoin Bradshaw, Aidan Griffin (0-7, 6f), Donal O'Dwyer, Ciaran Mooney, Sean Ryan (0-3), Dinny Crosse, Connie Bradshaw.
Sub: Paul Darcy for O'Brien.
Upperchurch/Drombane: Ciaran Shortt, Ger Grant, Matt Ryan, Michael Lavery, Colm Ryan (0-1), Gavin Ryan, Ailbe O'Donoghue, Dean Carew, Aaron Ryan (0-3), Diarmuid Grant (0-1), Paul Shanahan, Paul Ryan (0-4), Loughlin Ryan, Keith Ryan, Padraig Greene (0-6, 4f).
Subs: Luke Shanahan (0-1) for L Ryan; Jack Butler (0-1) for D Grant; Niall Grant for Carew; Colm Stapleton for P Shanahan; Oisin Treacy for Lavery.
Referee: Philip Ryan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)