The Nire March On

The Nire are back in the County Senior Football Final this coming Sunday after they overcame the challenge of Kilrossanty on Saturday evening last at Fraher Field.

The opening quarter of this game was instantly forgettable as neither side managed to put a score on the scoreboard.

In this opening quarter the Nire did play some good football, but Kilrossanty made it hard for them to score, defending in numbers.

At the other end of the field and when they attacked their main tactic was to get the ball into Paul Whyte who has been outstanding in recent games for them, kicking some impressive tallies, but here he was shadowed by Thomas O’Gorman who is one of the best man markers in the game and as a result Kilrossanty found scores hard to come by.

Inter county hurler Jamie Barron opened the scoring in this game when he put over a point.

Shane Ryan struck for a goal for The Nire on twenty eight minutes. Martin Walsh was denied a goal chance just before this as Conor Hayes deflected the ball out for a ’45. Shane Walsh saw his effort drop short to Shane Ryan who has his effort blocked but he followed up with a second effort and this time he made no mistake in putting the ball in the Kilrossanty net.

Liam Lawlor followed up to give The Nire a 1-2 to 0-0 lead with time in the first half running out, but Kilrossanty did manage to get on the score board before the break with an effort from Tommy Prendergast.

Time was not up yet and in the time that was left Shane Ryan put over a free to give his side a 1-3 to 0-1 lead at the break.

Jamie Barron opened the scoring in the second half to extend his sides lead. An ugly incident under the stand followed and when law and order was restored it spurred on Kilrossanty. On 35 minutes a long delivery from Paul Keating was finished to the net by Paul Whyte leaving just a kick of the ball between the sides, and shortly afterwards the side in Green and Yellow tried their luck for a second goal but Tommy Prendergast had his effort saved by Tom Wall.

The Nire were soon however were back on top as Dylan Guiry, Darren Guiry and James McGrath all hit points for The Nire with the game entering its final quarter.

Brian Wall put over a free to further stretch his sides lead, but Kilrossanty’s hopes for something were somewhat dashed on 50 minutes when Pa Whyte was ordered off on a straight red card.

Shane Walsh further stretched The Nire lead, but Kilrossanty refused to throw in the towel as Alan Quinn, Tommy Prendergast and Pa Cunningham landed points to leave just five between the sides.

The Nire however were not finished yet and Darren Mulhearne who has served the Kilrossanty Club now for over three decades, made a great save from Brian Wall but Dylan Guiry followed up with a point to give his side a 1-10 to 1-4 victory.

The Nire: Tom Wall; James McGrath, Thomas O’Gorman, Justin Walsh; Martin Walsh, Maurice O’Gorman, Jamie Barron; Shane Walsh, Dylan Guiry; Seamus Lawlor, Brian Wall, Shane Ryan; Keith Guiry, Liam Lawlor, Darren Guiry. Subs: Jake Mulcahy for Keith Guiry (47), Dermot Ryan for Darren Guiry (52), Craig Guiry for Liam Lawlor (55), Stephen Ryan for Shane Ryan (60), Conal Mulcahy for Martin Walsh (63).

Scorers: Shane Ryan 1-1 (0-1f), Jamie Barron, Dylan Guiry 0-2, Liam Lawlor, Darren Guiry, Dylan Guiry, James McGrath, Brian Wall, Shane Walsh 0-1 each.

Kilrossanty: Darren Mulhearne; Barry Prendergast, Mark Prendergast, Conor Hayes; Pa Whyte, Stephen Prendergast, Killian Whelan; Niall Walsh, Tommy Prendergast; Donal Fitzgerald, Alan Quinn, Paul Keating; Pa Cunningham, Paul Whyte, Joey Veale, Subs: James Whyte for Donal Fitzgerald (47), Osgar de Paor for Niall Walsh (52).

Scorers: Paul Whyte 1-0, Tommy Prendergast 0-2, Alan Quinn, Pa Cunningham 0-1 each.

Referee: Anthony Fitzgerald (Gaultier).