Edendork Pip Plunketts In Promotion Playoff

Monday 07.11.2022

All County League

A Stephen Corr point from a difficult angle in the 66th minute was enough to help Edendork into Div 1/2 playoff game.

A compelling encounter saw Edendork get off to a whirlwind start, Niall Morgan converted two 45s, forced a fine save from John McCourt, before gratefully accepting a Harry Óg Conlon knock down to finish to the net all within the opening six minutes.

Pomeroy got on the score sheet when Frank Burns converted a mark on eight minutes. Pater Rafferty lofted a point over minutes later and Pomeroy were off and running.

Edendork were content to launch high balls on top of their twin towers, which continued to reap rewards as Harry Óg Conlon converted a mark and kicked another point shortly after a Ronan Duffin score for the Plunketts.

Pomeroy midfield duo Ryan Loughran and Ronan Duffin were dictating the play and the Plunketts dominated the second quarter. A brace of Kieran McGeary points sandwiched a Burns effort and the gap was down to the minimum. At the other end McCourt reacted quickly to push a shot around the post. Pomeroy continued to press forward with Packie Quinn bringing the sides level on twenty six minutes. A Darren McCurry free kick, their first score for fifteen minutes nudged Edendork back in front before Kieran McGeary tied the game with an intelligent play just on the short whistle.

Within fifteen seconds of the restart Edendork were in the lead. Conn Kilpatrick won the throw in, charged forward before slipping the ball to McCurry who split the posts. Pomeroy made tactical changes bringing Peter Rafferty back to pick up Niall Morgan and introduced Hugh McNamee, Hugh J Cunningham and Ronan Lagan. Lagan in particular had an excellent second half.

A Kieran McGeary point was followed by a Frank Burns point and Pomeroy led for the first time. Conn Kilpatrick was having a greater influence on the contest, winning the kick out he played the ball towards Harry Óg Conlon. It seemed that the big target man was shooting for a point but the ball dipped and deceived McCourt before finishing up in the top corner.

A break in play followed as Darren Mccurry seemed to pick up a back injury. In spite of receiving treatment he was clearly hampered but continued. Daire Conway extended the Edendork lead on thirty eight minutes, but again Pomeroy fought back. Jude Campbell and a mark from Hugh McNamee reduced the deficit. Frank Burns brought the game level with a brilliant point and with ten remaining Ronan Duffin put Pomeroy in front again with a great score.

Edendork needed a response, step forward Niall Morgan. First he converted a free kick from beyond fifty five metres before bending a twenty metre free from almost out on the sideline.

As the game entered injury time Neil Kilpatrick gave away a free 43 metres from goal which Frank Burns coolly slotted between the posts.

Both sides had chances during injury time in this absorbing contest. A long range free was missed by Burns before Conlon passed up an opportunity for Edendork. With the game looking destined for extra time up popped centre back Stephen Corr, who curled the ball over from a difficult angle.

There was still time for one last attack and Pomeroy drove forward, but despite being camped in the Edendork half they could not create the scoring chance they needed. Referee Jerome McElroy ended the contest after almost eight minutes of injury time as Pomeroy pressed forward.

Edendork 2-10 0-15 Pomeroy

Great credit to Killeeshil club who had the pitch in excellent condition.

Edendork will now play Moy for a place in senior football, for Pomeroy another year in the intermediate grade awaits.

Edendork: M McReynolds,P Donnelly, N Kilpatrick, D Maneely, B Cullen, S Corr (0-1), L Ferguson, C Kilpatrick & C Cullen, C McCurry, D McCurry (0-2 1f), D Conway (0-1), Harry og Conlon (1-2 1m) N Morgan (1-4 4f),C Mallon. Sub J Donnelly

Pomeroy J McCourt, M McDonald, L Kilpatrick, G McAleer, B Burns, R McKenna, K Armstrong, R Loughran & R Duffin (0-2), P Quinn (0-1), F Burns (0-5 2f 1m) , P Rafferty (0-1) A Woods, K McGeary (0-4 2f) J Campbell(0-1) Subs H McNamee (0-1 1m), HJ Cunningham, R Lagan, P Quinn, L Quinn