Carnaross GAA Club, Co. Meath - A82 DW01

2011 Under-21

Carnaross 4-18 Kilmainhamwood 1-3

Round 1: U21 C Championship

Played in Carlanstown – 16/10/2011

Carnaross safely negotiated the first round of the U21 championship with a comfortable victory over Kilmainhamwood. It was Kilmainhamwood who opened the scoring with an early point but this was cancelled out by Stephen Flattery in the next attack. Carnaross opened up a three point lead when Flattery made no mistake from close range to finish low to the net. Damian Smith extended the lead further with a free, but Kilmainhamwood hit back with a well taken goal to leave just one in it. However, this was as close as it got as Carnaross began to take control of the game. A goal from John Carpenter set them on their way and points from Damian Smith (2), Shane Casserly, Paul Donoghue and Cillian Comaskey gave them a 2-7 to 1-3 lead at the break.

The second-half was all one way traffic as Kilmainhamwood struggled to get out of their own half of the pitch and failed to score. Carnaross went on to add further points from Paul Donoghue, Damian Smith (2), John Carpenter (3), Shane Casserly (2), Cillian Comaskey (2) and Richard Mulvey. Subsititutes John Ward and Tomás Plunkett also chipped in with a goal each to finish off a good team performance for Carnaross who got all but two of their scores from play.

Carnaross: Shane McNiffe; Michael Brogan, Ian Donoghue; Paul Donoghue (0-2), Stein Carpenter, Cian Gillic; Charles Dillon, Cillian Comaskey (0-3); Shane Casserly (0-3), Damian Smith (0-5), John Carpenter (1-3); Stephen Flattery (1-1), Cathal Allen; Subs: John Ward (1-0) for Cathal Allen; Richard Mulvey (0-1) for Stephen Flattery; Tomás Plunkett (1-0) for Paul Donoghue; Peter Farrelly for Shane Casserly; Stephen McGrath for Damian Smith;


Carnaross 1-9 Meath Hill 0-10

Quarter-Final: U21 C Championship

Played in Nobber – 23/10/2011

Carnaross made it two wins from two games with a hard fought victory over Meath Hill. Despite the terrible playing conditions it was a highly entertaining game between two fully committed teams which could have went either way.

The first score of the game came from Meath Hill with a point from play but it was cancelled out when John Ward fisted over the bar for Carnaross. Meath Hill had the edge early on and took a two point lead with two converted frees and could have been further in front but for a few bad wides. Stephen Flattery scored a point for Carnaross but Meath Hill hit back with another point immediately. Carnaross were beginning to get a hold on the game and finished the half strongly with three unanswered points from Stephen Flattery (2) and Damian Smith to lead 0-5 to 0-4 at the break.

Meath Hill were first to score after the restart to leave the sides level. Damian Smith edged Carnaross in front once again with a point from play. He then linked up well with Shane Casserly to put John Ward one on one with the keeper and he made no mistake finishing low to the net. John Carpenter then landed a massive point to put Carnaross five points clear. However, Meath Hill were not finished yet and they battled hard to get back into the game. Three points in a row left them trailing by two points and they were putting a lot of pressure on Carnaross. They then had the chance to take the lead with a goal but Shane McNiffe kept them out with a good save. Damian Smith converted another free for Carnaross but once again Meath Hill responded with another point. Going into the closing stages Stephen Flattery restored a three point lead for Carnaross with a fine point. Meath Hill added another point from play but despite all their late pressure, the Carnaross defence held strong for a two point victory.

Carnaross: Shane McNiffe; Michael Brogan, Ian Donoghue; Paul Donoghue, Stein Carpenter, Cian Gillic; Charles Dillon, Cillian Comaskey; Shane Casserly, Damian Smith (0-3), John Carpenter (0-1); Stephen Flattery (0-4), John Ward (1-1); Subs: Niall McDonnell for John Ward; Richard Mulvey for Charles Dillon;


Carnaross 2-8 Clonard 2-7

Semi-Final: U21 C Championship

Played in Trim – 6/11/2011

After trailing by eight points with 15 minutes remaining, Carnaross produced a dramatic late comeback to secure a final place against Longwood.

The game was played on a perfect afternoon for football which was added to by the perfect condition of the Trim pitch. Despite this, it took both sides a while to settle and it was ten minutes before Clonard opened the scoring. Carnaross did have a great goal chance early on but the Clonard keeper was quick to snuff out the chance. They went on to add another three points before Carnaross finally got off the mark after twenty minutes with John Ward pointing from play. Carnaross were well in the game but were guilty of hitting numerous wides. Shane Casserly added another point but Clonard got the final score of the half to lead 0-5 to 0-2 at the break.

After the restart John Carpenter narrowed the margin with a converted free. Clonard then had a fantastic goal chance but their effort came back off the upright. However, they did find the net shortly after that for the games opening goal. It got better for the Clonard men who found the net a minute later opening up an eight point lead for them with 15 to go. At this stage it looked as if it was one of those days for Carnaross who did not seem to be getting the rub of the green despite their best efforts. Points from Niall McDonnell and Damian Smith narrowed the margin before Clonard responded with one. With ten minutes remaining Carnaross got the goal which brought them right back into contention when Niall McDonnell diverted a long ball over the keeper. Clonard got another point to put five between the teams with seven minutes left. Two points from Damian Smith left only a goal in it with two minutes on the clock. The momentum was now with Carnaross as they fought hard to rescue the game. They were rewarded after 61 minutes when Niall McDonnell’s goal attempt came back off the upright and fell to John Carpenter who made no mistake finishing to the net from close range. It looked as extra time was on the cards at this stage but Carnaross gained possession from the kickout and went on to finish the move with Damian Smith putting Carnaross in front for the first time with 61 minutes on the clock.

Carnaross: Shane McNiffe; Michael Brogan, Ian Donoghue; Paul Donoghue, Stein Carpenter, Cian Gillic; Charles Dillon, Cillian Comaskey; Shane Casserly (0-1), Damian Smith (0-4), John Carpenter (1-1); Stephen Flattery, John Ward (0-1); Subs: Niall McDonnell (1-1) for John Ward; Cathal Allen for Stephen Flattery; Richard Mulvey for Charles Dillon;


Carnaross 2-7 Longwood 1-5

Final: U21 C Championship

Played in Trim – 13/11/2011

Carnaross claimed the U21C Championship with a well deserved victory over Longwood. The two previous tough games certainly stood to Carnaross as they were well prepared for the challenge from Longwood.

Aided by a strong wind Carnaross hit the ground running with John Carpenter pointing in the opening minute. Things got better three minutes later when John Carpenter found the net for the games opening goal. However, they received a setback with the concession of a penalty which Longwood converted. Niall McDonnell added a free for Carnaross before adding a second goal after 15 minutes to give them a five point lead. Longwood narrowed the margin with two points before McDonnell finished the first-half with a free to give Carnaross a 2-3 to 1-2 half-time lead.

The start to the second-half was a very tight affair and only produced a point for either side in the opening 15 minutes with John Carpenter hitting the target for Carnaross. Longwood who were now playing with the wind were pushing hard to get back into the game but the Carnaross defence stood strong when under pressure. Substitute Charles Brogan scored a point when introduced and then could have had a goal but was denied by the Longwood keeper. Longwood did add another two frees but points from Niall McDonnell and Damian Smith resulted in Carnaross maintaining the lead which they held from the start.

After the game Carnaross captain Shane McNiffe was presented with the cup.

Carnaross: Shane McNiffe; Michael Brogan, Ian Donoghue; Paul Donoghue, Stein Carpenter, Cian Gillic; Charles Dillon, Cillian Comaskey; Shane Casserly, Damian Smith (0-1), John Carpenter (1-2); Stephen Flattery, Niall McDonnell (1-3); Subs: John Ward for Shane Casserly; Charles Brogan (0-1) for Stephen Flattery; Richard Mulvey for Charles Dillon;

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