JCHC Pearses 0-15 Oranmore-Maree 1-11: The Club’s Junior ‘C’ team had a first win of the season yesterday evening in Oranmore. It was a competitive game played in wet conditions with the lead switching on numerous occasions. Three points in-a-row at the end from Tom Broderick helped Pearses to a narrow win.
Oranmore-Maree had the better start and opened a two point lead. David Cunniffe hit back with a pointed free for Pearses, but the home team added 1-1 to stretch their lead, now 1-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes. The introduction of Seán Walsh boosted Pearses and in the remainder of the half Pearses outscored Oranmore-Maree 0-7 to 0-3. Eoghan Barrett landed a long range free, then two points from Cunniffe, one a free following good work by Tom Broderick.
The home team hit back again to make it 1-4 to 0-4. There were goal chances at both ends, with goalkeeper Éanna Daly and his full-back line doing well to prevent more goals. Seán Walsh added Pearses point, after a trademark run upfield, Oranmore-Maree struck back. Cunniffe then landed two points, with Broderick again and Derek Barrett involved in the build-up, 1-5 to 0-7. The teams added a point apiece before half-time and Declan Lawless came close with a shot that flashed across the face of the goal. Half-time: 1-6 to 0-8.
Pearses had the wind for the second half and drew level after five minutes, from a pointed free. The home team pulled ahead again but points from Broderick and Cunniffe pushed Pearses back in front. Pearses could have pulled further ahead, but for some missed frees and soon the game was all square again, 1-9 to 0-12. There were Pearses goal chances, but the keeper did well to keep his clean sheet. The closing stages were close, the lead swapped three times. The switch of Tom Broderick to the half-forward line proved decisive as he finished strongly with three points.
Eanna Daly did well in goals for Pearses, with the full-back line recovering well after the early goal. The half-back line were solid and maintained a good supply to the forward line. Darren Burke and Derek Barrett kept the ball moving at midfield. Barrett’s ground hurling one of the features of the game. The forward-line created more chances than in previous games and were rewarded with some good scores from play. It was a good win despite missing regulars Paul Bellew, Joe Kenny and Darren Naughton.
This was the fifth Group game, with previous defeats to Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry, Loughrea, Tommy Larkins and Athenry. Next up is Mullagh, away next weekend. Following that it’s Craughwell and Spiddal. The top four teams in the group qualify for Quarter-finals, with the remaining five going to the Shield competition.
Pearses: E Daly; A Queeney, K Clancy, B Raftery; M Ruane, E Barrett (0-1f), Anthony Carrig, D Burke, D Barrett; D Cunniffe (0-8, 4f), K Hynes, P Mahon; T Broderick (0-5), C Hogan, D Lawless. Subs: S Walsh (0-1), Aidan Carrig, E Burke, G King.