Carnaross 4-6 Clonard 1-6

Under-21 B Championship (Round 1)

Played in Athboy – 12/10/2013

Carnaross made a winning start to the Under-21 Championship with a fantastic team performance to see off the Clonard challenge.

Carnaross got off to the perfect start after just two minutes when Charles Brogan found himself through on goal and he made no mistake firing low past the keeper with a well taken goal. However, Clonard dominated the rest of the exchanges in the opening ten minutes and three points in a row left the sides level. Carnaross responded with a point from Charles Brogan and things got better when Shane Casserly netted another goal to give them a four point lead after fifteen minutes. Clonard responded strongly and went on to add 1-3 without reply to take a two point lead at half-time, 1-6 to 2-1.

Carnaross played with a strong breeze after the restart but still had it all to do against a determined Clonard side. John Carpenter reduced the margin to one with a converted point after seven minutes. Carnaross finally hit the front again when Charles Brogan scored his second goal of the game after linking up well with Paul Donoghue. Brogan followed this up with an excellent point from play after a strong surging run along the wing. Things got better for Carnaross with ten minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty, and Shane Casserly made no mistake from the spot firing low past the keeper to extend the Carnaross lead to six points. Late points from Paul Donoghue (2) and Barry O’Connor extended the lead further for Carnaross. Special mention should go to their defensive unit who kept Clonard scoreless in the second-half.

Carnaross: Jack Yore; Ian Donoghue, Tomás Plunkett; Liam Brogan, Peter Carpenter, Cian Gillic; Michael Brogan, Charles Brogan (2-2); John Carpenter (0-1), Shane Casserly (2-0), Pierce Fleming; Dean Connell, Colm Carpenter; Subs: Paul Donoghue (0-2) for Pierce Fleming; Barry O’Connor (0-1) for Colm Carpenter; Cian Yore for Dean Connell;

Carnaross 2-5 Clann na nGael 0-13

Under-21 B Championship (Round 2)

Played in Carlanstown – 25/10/2013

Despite taking a two point lead with eight minutes remaining, Carnaross were undone by four unanswered points in the final five minutes from Clann na nGael.

It was a tightly contested game throughout with very little between the teams on a wet and slippery evening. It was the men from Athboy who made the early breakthrough with two points in the opening five minutes but Carnaross hit back with two frees from the boot of Paul Donoghue. Both sides traded a point each with Pierce Fleming hitting the target for Carnaross to leave it all square after fifteen minutes. Clann na nGael opened up a two point lead but Carnaross hit back immediately when Dean Connell rounded the keeper and finished to the net after good build up play from Paul Donoghue. Clann na nGael levelled matters once again but another point from Paul Donoghue gave Carnaross a one point lead at the break, 1-4 to 0-6.

Clann na nGael started best in the second-half and two points in a row put them back in the lead once again. Paul Donoghue converted a free for Carnaross to level the game once again. The game then went through a period of ten minutes when neither side scored. Clann na nGael did have a goal chance but were denied by Jack Yore in goals. Clann na nGael finally broke the deadlock with ten minutes remaining. Carnaross were then boosted by a goal when the ball seemed to go in off a Clann na nGael defender after good pressure from Paul Donoghue to give them a two point lead with eight minutes remaining. However, Carnaross failed to build on their advantage and instead it was a late surge from Clann na nGael which sealed the victory.

Carnaross: Jack Yore; Ian Donghue, Tomás Plunkett; Liam Brogan, Peter Carpenter, Cian Gillic; Michael Brogan, Charles Brogan; John Carpenter, Shane Casserly, Pierce Fleming (0-1); Dean Connell (1-0), Paul Donoghue (0-4); Subs: Colm Carpenter for Dean Connell; Barry O’Connor for Liam Brogan;