Carnaross qualified for their fourth Junior Semi-Final in a row after resisting a spirited comeback from Dunsany in the closing stages.

Carnaross 1-18 Dunsany 1-16

Junior Championship (Quarter-Final)
Played in Athboy – 9/9/2018

The threat of rain hung in the air before the game but the dark clouds subsided and the match was played in bright, blustery conditions.

Carnaross got off to a flying start with a goal in the opening minutes from John L McGee. The corner forward gathered a kick pass on the edge of the box before turning his man and dispatching the ball high into the roof of the net. Carnaross capitalised on their ideal start and pressed on to lead by 5 midway through the first half with points from Tomás Plunkett and Patrick McDermott.

Dunsany struggled to gain momentum playing against the breeze in the opening period and their chances were limited by the tenacious Carnaross defence. They did, however, manage to stay in the game through the accurate free-taking of corner forward Pierre Fox. Further Carnaross points from Charles Brogan, Frank O’Reilly and Plunkett gave them a seven point lead at the break on a score line of 1-11 to 0-7.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first with Carnaross emerging the fastest from the blocks. They quickly opened up a 10 point lead with a point from Killian Porter and a pair for McDermott. Carnaross looked comfortable with 20 minutes remaining but the momentum of the game swung in Dunsany’s favour to ensure this game would go right down to the wire.

There were several goal chances for both sides midway through the half with Carnaross keeper Ollie Murphy making a crucial interception to deny what looked a certain goal. Dunsany chipped away at the Carnaross lead while O’Reilly, McDermott and McGee kept the scoreboard ticking over for the North Meath men.

The gap had narrowed to 5 points heading into injury time but while Dunsany found the back of the net after a quick free kick, it proved to be too little too late as Carnaross prevailed on a final score of 1-18 to 1-16.

Carnaross: Ollie Murphy, Liam Brogan, Peter Farrelly, Ian Donoghue, Peter Carpenter, Cian O’Reilly, Sam Reynolds, Dermot McGee (0-2), Tomás Plunkett (0-2), Killian Porter (0-1), Frank O’Reilly (0-5, 1f), Niall McDonnell, Patrick McDermott (0-5), John L McGee (1-2), Charles Brogan (0-1). Subs: Jack Roche for Donoghue, Thomas Nugent for O’Reilly, Cormac O’Reilly for Charles Brogan.