| Team | played | won | drawn | lost | FOR | AGAINST | difference | points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnaross | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 92 | 72 | 20 | 8 |
| Clann na nGael | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 97 | 59 | 38 | 7 |
| St Peter’s, Dunboyne | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 85 | 58 | 27 | 7 |
| Wolfe Tones | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 82 | 93 | -11 | 3 |
| O’Mahony’s | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 61 | 106 | -45 | 3 |
| St Brigid’s | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 73 | 102 | -29 | 2 |
Carnaross 1-11 Wolfe Tones 4-12
Junior A Championship – Round 1
Played in Páirc Tailteann – 9/4/2016
Carnaross suffered a disappointing first round defeat to Wolfe Tones with the concession of four goals proving crucial.
Before the action got underway, there was a minutes silence observed in Páirc Tailteann in memory of Carnaross stalwart, Jack Smith, who passed away last week.
Carnaross opened the scoring inside a minute when Michael Brogan pointed from close range. However, Wolfe Tones hit back strongly and hit 1-2 without reply in the space of four minutes. Patrick Nugent was introduced as an early substitute and made an instant impact when his long range shot rifled into the net in the tenth minute. Wolfe Tones continued their early dominance and notched another 1-3 while Carnaross’ sole response was a ’45 from Cillian Comaskey. The final five minutes was end to end with Niall McDonnell (2) and Cillian Comaskey pointing for Carnaross while the Tones also added two of their own which gave them a five point lead at the break, 2-7 to 1-5. Carnaross could have been closer but were guilty of hitting seven wides and also struck the upright in the opening period.
These missed chances proved costly when the second half resumed. The half was only two minutes old when Wolfe Tones had found the net twice to take a commanding eleven point lead. The next ten minutes was hectic as Carnaross gave everything they had to get back into contention. Points from Niall McDonnell (2), Stephen Flattery, Peter Carpenter and Frank O’Reilly narrowed the gap but crucially Wolfe Tones kept their account ticking over with three points. Cillian Comaskey added another ’45 with ten minutes remaining while Fank O’Reilly was unlucky to see his goal attempt crash off the crossbar. Paul Donoghue also had a goal attempt saved before the Tones had the final say with two late points.
Carnaross: Shane McNiffe; Ian Donoghue, Charles Brogan, Peter Carpenter (0-1); Shane Casserly, Thomas Nugent, Liam Brogan; Tomás Plunkett, Cillian Comaskey (0-3, 2 ‘45); Cian Gillic, Stephen Flattery (0-1), Cian O’Reilly; Niall McDonnell (0-4), Michael Brogan (0-1), Frank O’Reilly (0-1); Subs: Patrick Nugent (1-0) for Shane Casserly; Paul Donoghue for Peter Carpenter;
Carnaross 1-14 St. Brigid’s 1-13
Junior A Championship – Round 2
Played in Ballinlough – 28/5/2016
Carnaross produced a performance of real character to pick up their first championship win following a thrilling clash with St. Brigid’s in Ballinlough.
Going into the game Carnaross were still in search of their first win of the year in all competitions, so to say the pressure was on was an understatement. They certainly made their intentions clear in the early stages and raced into a four point lead after ten minutes thanks to points from Niall McDonnell and three frees from John L McGee. St. Brigid’s broke through the Carnaross defence in the thirteenth minute and registered the game’s opening goal to leave just a point in it. A well taken point from Niall McDonnell edged Carnaross two clear but the Brigid’s hit back with two quickfire points to bring the sides level ten minutes before the break. Carnaross continued to push forward and during a three minute period opened up a three point lead with Tomás Plunkett, Frank O’Reilly and Dermot McGee all pointing from play. Carnaross could have been further ahead but John L McGee had a goal attempt kept out by the Brigid’s keeper. The Ballinacree men converted a free before the lively Niall McDonnell brought the first half scoring to an end to leave Carnaross with a fully deserved 0-9 to 1-3 half-time lead.
When the action resumed Carnaross continued where they left off and landed two early points from Liam Brogan and John L McGee to stretch their lead to five. A St Brigid’s fightback was inevitable and they began to hit back with three points in a row. Carnaross responded well with a point apiece from Niall McDonnell and Frank O’Reilly. However, St Brigid’s continued their resurgence and went on to dominate proceedings and six unanswered points turned a four point deficit into a two point lead. Carnaross were under severe pressure but they battled on and were rewarded with a penalty when corner-back Liam Brogan was brought down with four minutes remaining. John L McGee stepped up and made no mistake from the spot firing low past the keeper. However, Carnaross still had eight minutes of added time to contend with. Niall McDonnell pointed for Carnaross but St Brigid’s hit back with a point in the next attack. As time ran out the Carnaross defence stood strong and they held on for a narrow and valuable first victory.
Carnaross: Conor Kenny; Peter Carpenter, Thomas Nugent, Liam Brogan (0-1); Peter S Farrelly, Ian Donoghue, Cian Gillic; Dermot McGee (0-1), Cillian Comaskey; Niall McDonnell (0-4), Tomás Plunkett (0-1), Michael Brogan; Frank O’Reilly (0-2), John L McGee (1-5, 3f, 1 pen), Charles Brogan; Subs:Patrick Nugent for Cian Gillic; Brian Comaskey for Tomás Plunkett;
Carnaross 1-15 Clann na nGael 1-12
Junior A Championship – Round 3
Played in Páirc Tailteann – 31/7/2016
Carnaross produced their best performance of the campaign with an impressive victory over Clann na nGael with nine different players getting on the scoresheet, while all of their scores bar one came from play.
Carnaross got off to a lively start with two points in the opening 90 seconds courtesy of team captain Cillian Comaskey and Frank O’Reilly. This good start was wiped out when a loose ball in the Carnaross defence was finished to the net to get Clann na nGael off the mark in the third minute. This setback failed to unsettle Carnaross and they continued their good start with four unanswered points from Charles Brogan (2), Niall McDonnell and a John L McGee free. Clann na nGael hit back with three points of their own but Carnaross once again upped the tempo and landed four more points from Niall McDonnell, Dermot McGee, John L McGee and Cian O’Reilly in the final five minutes to take a well deserved 0-10 to 1-3 lead at the break.
The fast pace continued after the restart with the sides trading two points apiece in the opening five minutes with John L McGee and Cian O’Reilly hitting the target for Carnaross. Clann na nGael narrowed the gap to two points but Carnaross kept their distance with Frank O’Reilly pointing before Cian O’Reilly set up Niall McDonnell who finished superbly to the net to give his side a six point advantage at the three quarters stage. Clann na nGael gave everything they had to get back into contention and four unanswered points narrowed the gap to just two points with ten minutes remaining. However, Carnaross settled and hit back with points from Patrick Nugent and Michael Brogan before a Clann na nGael free brought an end to proceedings.
Carnaross: Conor Kenny; Peter Carpenter, Thomas Nugent, Stephen Flattery; Peter S Farrelly, Tomás Plunkett, Liam Brogan; Dermot McGee (0-1), Cillian Comaskey (0-1); Niall McDonnell (1-2), Cian O’Reilly (0-2), Michael Brogan (0-1); Charles Brogan (0-2), John L McGee (0-3, 1f), Frank O’Reilly (0-2); Sub:Patrick Nugent (0-1) for Charles Brogan;
Carnaross 3-10 St. Peter’s 1-7
Junior A Championship – Round 4
Played in Walterstown – 6/8/2016
A third successive championship win resulted in Carnaross overtaking St. Peter’s at the top of Group C with nine points to spare over the Dunboyne men.
Carnaross played with the strong breeze in the opening half and bossed the early proceedings but their dominance was not reflected on the scoreboard. John L McGee finally opened the scoring after five minutes but St Peters replied immediately with an equaliser at the opposite end. Charles Brogan put Carnaross in front once again with a point and moments later he forced the St Peters keeper into action deflecting his shot over the crossbar. St Peters edged in front when they scored the game’s opening goal in the fifteenth minute but Carnaross hit back and a point apiece for Dermot and John L McGee put them back in front. Cian O’Reilly put his side further in front with a point from play and his Meath minor colleague Frank O’Reilly found the net on the stroke of half time to put Carnaross firmly in the driving seat at the break with a 1-6 to 1-1 lead.
After the restart St Peters took full advantage of the strong breeze and quickly ate into the Carnaross lead. A point straight from the throw in was cancelled out by a free from John L McGee, but St Peters began to get a foothold and went on to score five points in a row to bring the sides level on 1-7 each with twelve minutes remaining. However, the Carnaross response was emphatic as they quickly took a stranglehold on proceedings while also keeping the Dunboyne men scoreless for the remainder of the game. John L McGee pointed to restore the lead and Charles Brogan added a goal to give Carnaross a four point cushion. Another point from John L McGee was again followed by another goal from Charles Brogan before Niall McDonnell finished off the scoring with a point from play deep in injury time.
Carnaross: Conor Kenny; Peter Carpenter, Thomas Nugent, Stephen Flattery; Peter S Farrelly, Tomás Plunkett, Liam Brogan; Dermot McGee (0-1), Cillian Comaskey; Niall McDonnell (0-1), Cian O’Reilly (0-1), Michael Brogan; Charles Brogan (2-2), John L McGee (0-5, 3f), Frank O’Reilly (1-0); Subs: Patrick Nugent for Stephen Flattery; Paul Donoghue for Frank O’Reilly;
Carnaross 2-18 O’Mahonys 0-8
Junior A Championship – Round 5
Played in Kilmainham – 12/8/2016
Carnaross topped their group following another impressive performance against O’Mahonys in Kilmainham.
The Navan side played with the wind in the opening period and took advantage in the early stages racing into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after five minutes with Cian O’Reilly getting the Carnaross point following a surging run from Charles Brogan. Carnaross settled and went on to dominate with five points in a row courtesy of Dermot McGee, Charles Brogan, Frank O’Reilly and John L McGee (2). O’Mahonys hit back with two points and could have been closer but Cillian Comaskey got back to make a last gasp clearance off the Carnaross line when a goal looked certain. A point apiece from Dermot McGee and Frank O’Reilly brought the first-half to an end with Carnaross leading 0-8 to 0-5.
With the wind advantage after the restart, Carnaross didn’t take long about extending their lead. Dermot McGee pointed a free and things got better when a clever tap down from substitute Brian Comaskey put Niall McDonnell through on goal and he made no mistake finding the net. Dermot McGee pointed before O’Mahonys got their opening score of the second-half six minutes in. However, the Carnaross confidence was up and Niall McDonnell pointed before Brian Comaskey turned provider again, this time picking out Frank O’Reilly who fired low past the keeper to put Carnaross firmly in the driving seat. They dominated the remainder of the game and added seven more points before the final whistle and ensure top spot in the group.
Carnaross: Conor Kenny; Peter Carpenter, Thomas Nugent, Stephen Flattery; Peter S Farrelly, Tomás Plunkett (0-1), Liam Brogan (0-1); Dermot McGee (0-4, 2f), Cillian Comaskey (0-1f); Niall McDonnell (1-1), Cian O’Reilly (0-2), Michael Brogan (0-1); Charles Brogan (0-2), John L McGee (0-2, 2f), Frank O’Reilly (1-3); Subs: Patrick Nugent for Stephen Flattery; Brian Comaskey for John L McGee; Cian Yore for Peter S Farrelly; Cian Gillic for Peter Carpenter; Peter Mullan for Dermot McGee;
Carnaross 6-8 Seneschalstown 2-11
Junior A Championship – Quarter Final
Played in Drumconrath – 27/8/2016
Carnaross secured their place in the last four following a scrappy encounter with Seneschalstown in a sunny Drumconrath.
Dermot McGee opened the scoring in the first minute with a point from play but Seneschalstown hit back to take the lead with two points in a row. They could have been further in front but Conor Kenny made a fine stop in the Carnaross goal. Dermot McGee levelled matters in the tenth minute and things got better two minutes later when Cian O’Reilly found the net following good build up play from Charles Brogan. Seneschalstown were dealt a blow when they had a player dismissed for a second yellow and Carnaross took full advantage when Frank O’Reilly netted their second goal. Niall McDonnell added a point before Charles Brogan scored a third goal for Carnaross to extend their lead to eleven points after twenty minutes. Seneschalstown hit back and scored three unanswered points before the half time whistle, leaving Carnaross with a 3-4 to 0-5 lead.
Seneschalstown continued to add pressure after the restart and outscored Carnaross 0-4 to 0-1 with Patrick Nugent hitting the target for Carnaross. However, the Seneschalstown cause was severely hampered during this period as they received two more red cards to leave them with twelve men on the field. Dermot McGee pointed for Carnaross before two goals in the space of a minute from Charles Brogan and Frank O’Reilly put them well in control. Carnaross then had a red card when substitute Cian Yore received his marching orders midway through the half. To their credit Seneschalstown never gave in and continued to cause problems for Carnaross adding 2-2 before full time. However, Carnaross kept the scoreboard ticking over with a point each for Frank O’Reilly and Paul Donoghue, while Charles Brogan completed his hat-trick for his sides sixth goal.
Carnaross: Conor Kenny; Peter Carpenter, Thomas Nugent, Cian Gillic; Peter S Farrelly, Tomás Plunkett, Liam Brogan; Dermot McGee (0-3), Cillian Comaskey; Niall McDonnell (0-2), Cian O’Reilly (1-0), Michael Brogan; Charles Brogan (3-0), Patrick Nugent (0-1), Frank O’Reilly (2-1); Subs: Ian Donoghue for Peter S Farrelly; Cian Yore for Cian Gillic; Aidan Lynch for Liam Brogan; Dean Connell for Charles Brogan; Paul Donoghue (0-1) for Michael Brogan (BC); Dillon Fox for Cillian Comaskey;
Carnaross 0-7 Bective 2-13
Junior A Championship – Semi Final
Played in Athboy – 17/9/2016
For the second year in a row Carnaross made their championship exit at the semi-final stage following an impressive second-half display from the competition favourites Bective.
Carnaross were crisp in the tackle and left everything out on the pitch, but were badly hindered by key absences. John L McGee has long been injured but his brother Dermot was also ruled out before the game and did not feature. It got worse for the North Meath men as Paddy Nugent, impressive early on, picked up an injury on the quarter-hour mark and hobbled off before the break. Bective landed the first two scores of the game but Carnaross hit the next three points and would have grabbed a goal only for a point blank save from the Bective keeper. Bective kept in touch with some lengthy frees but Carnaross added points from Niall McDonnell and a Cillian Comaskey '45 to lead by 0-5 to 0-4 as half time approached. However, Carnaross would go in at half time two points down following the concession of a well taken goal by Bective’s Marty Mulhall to give them a 1-4 to 0-5 lead at the break.
Carnaross landed the first score of the second half through McDonnell and began to dominate around midfield, with substitute Peter Mullan picking up plenty of ball. Bective soaked up the pressure and hit two points from distance to put three between the sides for the first time. They went on to add another three points without reply and suddenly Jody Devine’s men were 1-10 to 0-7 ahead. With ten minutes they added another goal to put the result beyond doubt. Carnaross battled on with Brian Comaskey continuing to win plenty of possession up front but their scoring boots had deserted them at that point.
It was a disappointing end to the year for Carnaross but a lot of progress was achieved over the last few months by Ollie Murphy’s men and we look forward to going again in 2017 full of optimism.
Carnaross: Conor Kenny; Peter Carpenter, Thomas Nugent, Liam Brogan; Ian Donoghue, Tomás Plunkett, Peter S Farrelly; Frank O'Reilly, Cillian Comaskey (0-1); Niall McDonnell (0-4), Cian O'Reilly, Michael Brogan; Charles Brogan (0-1), Patrick Nugent (0-1), Brian Comaskey; Sub: Peter Mullan for Patrick Nugent;
