IT took a point from substitute Aidan Challoner, deep into stoppage time to keep Mountmellick in this year’s IFC, writes Stephen Miller.

In the end a draw was a fair result between two finely balanced sides in the semi-final of this seasons competition at Portarlington on Sunday.

In an entertaining encounter Mountmellick opened the scoring through Gordon Lawler within twenty seconds of the throw in when he pointed after being put through by Donncha O Mahony. Courtwood’s George Doyle equalised moments later and Paddy Wilson put Courtwood in front with a super strike from a free on eight minutes.

Shane Conlon replied for Mountmellick with an equally impressive free on ten minutes to level matters but it was Brendan McNair for Courtwood who put his side into the lead once again with another marvellous point from an acute angle.

Conlon then got his second when he split the uprights with a massive free and increased his personal tally midway though the first half when he pointed on the run with his left foot.

Mountmellick then seized the initiative and dominated proceedings during the final fifteen minutes of the first half. Conlon and O Mahony along with centre forward Gordon Lawler wreaked havoc in the Courtwood defence and went seven points to three up with scores from towering midfielder Jarlath Challoner, Conlon and right half back Michael Lawlor who pointed from fifty yards after he was gifted possesion following sloppy defensive play from Courtwood.

Mountmellick looked every inch the better team at this stage and only for Courtwood wing back Eddie Kinsella scoring a wonderful goal late in the first half after he latched onto a high probing ball from James Doyle it is hugely likely that Courtwood would have struggled to have clawed back a four point lead in the second half.

Shane Conlon who had been in imperious form in the opening thirty minutes opened the second half scoring with a fine point from play three minutes after the re-start but it was Mountmellick’s last score untill late on in the game.

Conlon was curtailed somewhat and through two Eamon O Connell frees Courtwood drew level.

With ten minutes remaining Paddy Wilson gave Courtwood the lead to the delight of their huge following but it was their inability to build on this lead that allowed Mountmellick back into the game. They squandered a number of scoreable chances but could count themselves unlucky that George Doyle’s effort was waved wide when it appeared to have stayed between the posts.

Challoner rescued the game for Mountmellick late on when he kept his composure and when referee Johnny Carroll blew his final whistle few could have argued that a draw wasn’t a fair result.

St Manmans who are waiting in the final for the winners will be glad to see these two sides having to battle it out again. The replay is likely to be next weekend with the final fixed for the following week so whatever side does reach the final will have to play three gruelling matches in as many weeks.

Mountmellick had good performers in Donie O Mahony in goals Michael Lawler in defence, Jarlath Challoner in midfield and up front it was Shane Conlon, Donncha O Mahony and Gordon Lawler that posed most problems for the Courtwood defence.

For Courtwood Andrew Mulhare was the mot impressive defender and George Doyle had a fine game in the middle of the field whilein attack it was Paddy Wilson, Niall Donager and Brendan McNair that shone.

COURTWOOD: Fergal Byron, Andrew Mulhare, Michael Hogan, Padraic Wilson, Eddie Kinsella (1-0), Michael O Connell, John Fenlon, George Doyle (0-1), Eamon O Connell (0-2), Tommy Dunne, James Doyle, Brendan McNair (0-1), Niall Donagher, Paddy Wilson (0-2), Derek Melia. Subs: Thomas Behan for Padraic Wilson, Steven Miller for Melia, Kevin Flynn for Fenlon and John O Connell for Miller (injured).

MOUNTMELLICK: Donie O Mahony, Kenneth Young, Paddy O Brien, Keith Payne, Mark Turner, Darren Young, Michael Lawler (0-1), Jarlath Challoner (0-1), Shane Conlon (0-5), Gordon Lawlor (0-1), Donncha O Mahony, Mark Rochford, Mark Gilligan, Niall Lynch. Sub Aidan Challoner (0-1) for Mark Gilligan

 

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