O’Connells seal place in JFC semi-final

A second half scoring burst saw the O’Connells comfortably seal their place in the last four of the Louth Junior Football Championship, with this 12 point victory over Naomh Malachi in Darver on Saturday afternoon.

Despite this, Stuart Reynolds’ side did not have it all their own way, as Naomh Malachi’s aggression and tenacity in the tackle made life difficult for the Castlebellingham side early on.

The Courtbane side’s early and direct moving of the ball with the foot into their inside line paid dividends early doors, with the burly presence of Pierce Caherty and the lively Dylan Rooney causing problems to the O’Connells back line, as the Mals led the contest with 25 minutes on the clock at 1-7 to 2-2.

However, playing against the breeze in that first half, the O’Connells two first half majors were crucial, with both arriving within seconds of each other, to establish a foothold in the game.

Early proceedings saw the Malchis grab the opening three points through David Begley, and Dylan Rooney, before a Stephen Burns interception led to Rooney being fouled, with Jason Clarke converting the resultant free.

The Mals were hungrier in that half, turning the O’Connells over 10 times, compared with only losing possession 6 times in that same half themselves, with Stephen Burns, David Begley and Jamie Kelly epitomising this tenacity with key turnovers early on.

However, the O’Connells boast a plethora of attacking prowess, which soon combined for Jack Agnew to set up Robbie Quigley to slot home for their opening major, before their next attack from a Mals kickout, led to the impressive Justin Cooney laying off to Quigley who turned provider for Evan Kearney to fire to the net for the O’Connells’ second goal in a minute, making it 2-0 to 0-3 after 11 minutes.

While the O’Connells were guilty of cheaply conceding frees in defence, Jason Clarke was there to punish them to leave just a point between the sides by the end of the first quarter.

Either side of two more Clarke frees, Emmet Byrne slapped the ball over the bar after a Robbie Quigley mark dropped short, to leave it at 2-1 to 0-5 with 8 minutes remaining to half time.

The O’Connells were quite efficient in front of the posts despite shooting into the breeze, accruing seven scores from 11 first half shots.

Justin Cooney who finished with 21 possessions, gave the O’Connells a two point lead, following a Clarke strike from play for the Mals following a turnover from Jamie Kelly.

Turnovers and that long ball into the inside line continued to cause havoc for the O’Connells, with Dylan Rooney collecting a pinpoint Padraig Moley kick pass to fire to the net put his side ahead after 25 minutes, with Andrew Begley capitalising on a loose O’Connells kickout to put two between the sides at 1-7 to 2-2, with O’Connells’ keeper Jonathan Brennan also denying Conor Nicholson from close range.

The O’Connells then went up a gear to finish the half strongly with four points without reply through Niall Conlon (2), Robbie Quigley and Harry Kierans to give them the upper hand at the break, and with a wind advantage to come.

Second Half:

Following the switch of ends, the O’Connells outscored their opponents by 0-13 to 0-3 as they powered their way to the JFC semi finals.

The Castlebellingham side got on top across most sectors, including turning the Malachis over 11 times in that second half, with Conor Byrne and Liam Kiernan producing some key interceptions and challenges, along with an impressive half back line, marshalled by centre half Stuart Osborne who returned to the fray following his first half black card, flanked by Emmet Byrne and Justin Cooney, who carried the ball through the lines at every opportunity.

The O’Connells finished with 10 different scorers by the end of play, with Robbie Quigley and Niall Conlon continuing to lead the line, while Conor Culligan and sub Bernard Osborne helped themselves to second half braces.

By the time the third quarter ended, the O’Connells led by 2-10 to 1-7, before Naomh Malachis’ Andrew Begley treated us to the score of the game, when he collected a Padraig Moley footpass, before firing over.

Jackie Agnew, Harry Kierans, Emmet Byrne and sub Cathal O’Brien added further icing to the cake, with Padraig Moley and Pierce Caherty responding for the Malachis, as the O’Connells safely assured themselves a place in the semi finals of the Junior Championship, in their bid to return to the Intermediate grade at the first time of asking.

O’Connells: Jonathan Brennan; Nathan Carragher, Conor Byrne, Liam Kienan; Justin Cooney (0-1), Stuart Osborne, Emmet Byrne (0-2); Conor Culligan (0-2), Sean Cairns; Harry Kierans (0-2), Robbie Quigley (1-4) (1f), Cailum Woods; Evan Kearney (1-0), Niall Conlon (0-3) (1f), Jackie Agnew (0-2).

Subs: Bernard Osborne (0-2) for Carragher (38), Adam Flynn for Kearney (53), Sean Geaney for Conlon (53), Jack McGeough for Kierans (58), Cathal O’Brien (0-1) for Woods (59).

Naomh Malachi: Darren Kearney; Sean Watters, Conor Begley, Darren Clarke; Jamie Kelly, David Begley (0-1), Stephen Burns; Padraig Moley (0-1), Kevin McShane; Andrew Begley (0-2), Jason Clarke (0-4) (3f), Conor Nicholson; Dylan Rooney (1-1), Pierce Caherty (0-1), Mathew Campbell.

Subs: Michael McLoughlin for Nicholson (47), Paul Burke for McShane (59), Keelan Conlon for Campbell (60).

Referee: David Fedigan (Hunterstown Rovers).