Carnaross were knocked out at the penultimate stage of the Junior championship for a fourth successive time after a second half comeback from St Vincents.

Carnaross 0-12 St. Vincent’s 1-10

Junior Championship (Semi-Final)

Played in Pairc Tailteann – 15/9/2018

Carnaross played with the wind on their backs in the first half and didn’t take long to find their rhythm. The north Meath side raced into a four point lead within the first ten minutes and while their defence shut out the Vincents forward line. St Vincents did not get off the mark until midway through the half with a pointed free.

Carnaross, however, maintained control and added three more points before the break to leave them with a seven point lead at the whistle, 0-9 to 0-2. Centre forward Frank O’Reilly was instrumental in the opening period with a tally of six points, including two from play, while Dermot and John L McGee chipped in with a point each. 

The Ross extended their lead to eight points immediately after the break with a point from corner forward Charles Brogan but scores would prove hard to come by from there on. St Vincents rallied and began to dominate possession with Carnaross struggling to get past the high pressing of the Vincents. 

The Ardcath side chipped away at the Carnaross lead throughout the half and the deficit was reduced to just two points with ten minutes left on the clock. Carnaross managed to create some breakaway opportunities for themselves during this period but were denied a goal by a fine save from the Vincent’s keeper. 

They were then dealt a blow as Frank O’Reilly was sent off for an avoidable second yellow. St Vincents, sensing the opportunity, continued to press for the winner and they soon found the back of the net to take the lead for the first time in the game with minutes left on the clock. 

Carnaross responded with a pointed free from Cian O’Reilly but that would prove to be the last chance of the game as Vincents prevailed by the minimum on a score line of 1-10 to 12. Carnaross were left to rue a couple of missed opportunities to extend their lead but the manner in which they gradually lost their total control of the game will be the most disappointing aspect as they face into the off season and preparations for next year. 

Carnaross: Ollie Murphy, Liam Brogan, Peter Farrelly, Ian Donoghue, Sam Reynolds, Cian O’Reilly (0-1), Peter Carpenter, Tomás Plunkett, Dermot McGee (0-1), Niall McDonnell, Frank O’Reilly (0-6, 2f, 2 45s), Killian Porter, Patrick McDermott (0-2), John L McGee (0-1), Charles Brogan (0-1). Subs: Thomas Nugent for Carpenter, Cillian Comaskey for Porter, Cormac O’Reilly for John L McGee