Blessington are much too strong for Stratford-Grangecon
■ Stratford's Patrick Walsh tries to get past Blessington's Paddy Brophy.
Wednesday September 01 2010
THE LAST of the four matches in the quarter-finals of the Coogan Hardware Senior football championship was played in Aughrim on Sunday afternoon between neighbours Blessington and Stratford-Grangecon.
It was a tame affair as Blessington proved just too strong for StratfordGrangecon in this only all west clash. Blessington led by 1-6 to 0-3 at half-time even after missing a penalty.
The 'Blues' stayed in control all through and finished with two goals in the last minute to put a really bad look on the scoreboard.
That final scoreline did scant justice to the brave efforts of Frank O'Neill's men to make a match of it. After a disastrous first quarter, during which their defence was cut to ribbons by a flying Blessington attack where the youngest of the McLoughlin brothers Paul, county sSnior player Dean Siney and former county player Jonathan Danels were on fire, the Slaneysiders fought on bravely.
Full-forward Paul McLoughlin had a point inside 60 seconds and when David Behan drew a free Dean Siney sent over his first point. McLoughlin had a point and rattled Damien O'Neill's net for the first time in the seventh minute. Jonathan Daniels won a penalty but then drove the spot-kick wide of the posts.
Frank O'Neill reshuffled his defence to good effect with the result that Blessington did not score between the 14th and 26th minutes.
Paul Croinin got Stratford-Grangecon's first point in the 18th minute and the lively Marc Caplis added another.
However, we were finding out that this Blessington outfit is not just a team of flashy forwards. Barry O'Donovan and Wayne Callaghan were anchoring a sound defence that was leaving few openings.
Siney, Mick McLoughlin and Daniels added more points while Marc Caplis pulled one back for the Slaneysiders to leave it 1-6 to 0-3 at half-time.
Eoin O'Neill, now operating at wing back, had the opening point of the second-half but far from signaling a comeback it proved to be just a flash in the pan.
It was 1-10 to 0-6 going into the closing minutes but then Siney sent over two more points and when sub Anthony McLoughlin was pulled down in the box Daniels made no mistake with this penalty. David Behan got the final goal.
Big Gavin Murray and Eoin Keogh were in control at midfield despite some great work by county Minor Michael Mangan, Barry Murphy and Kevin John Rogers were others to stand out in defence while five of the six forwards got on the scoresheet.
Jason Bolger, goalie Damien O'Neill, Paurig O'Neill and Ciarán Byrne were others to do well for Stratford-Grangecon.
Blessington scorers: Dean Siney (0-6); Paul McLoughlin (1-3); Jonathan Daniels (1-1); David Behan (1-0); Mick McLoughlin (0-2).
Stratford-Grangecon scorers: Marc Caplis (0-3); Paul Cronin (0-2); Eoin O'Neill (0-1).
- PETER KEOGH
