Pearses recover from false start to book quarter final spot with win over Elphin

You know the old adage, oft quoted in match reports - 'Tosach Maith Leath na hOibre', the truism of which comes to pass more often than not. Sunday evening last at the idyllic Orchard Park, Elphin, did not follow that maxim, however, as Padraig Pearses custodian, Tomás Dolan, was picking the ball from his own net just 21 seconds into this Group A S.F.C. encounter. Having journeyed northwards to Orchard Park from their base in the deep south of the county, following a convincing opening round victory over St. Aidan"s a mere five days previously, it was the worst possible start for Eamon Mahon"s charges. Referee Vivian Hardiman had barely started proceedings when a speculative centre from Elphin midfielder and inter-county star Brian Higgins looked to be covered by the Pearses goalie, but the ball broke to Fintan Cregg who gave the home team a dream start when goaling from close-in. But this would prove the apex of the Elphin challenge on this occasion, as a very resilient and focused Reds made light of this setback to subsequently take control of this group meeting, thereby ensuring a place in the quarter-finals. Following that opening goal strike, Eddie Egan"s charges would only score once more in that opening half, a 23rd minute point, again scored by 2006 minor hero Fintan Cregg. Meanwhile, a Padraig Pearses outfit again fielding without John Whyte (injured in the early stages of the recent All-Ireland J.F.C. final) had accumulated 1-4 between the second and 19th minutes to make a definitive statement of subsequent intent in a contest where they would never again go into arrears. Once more, the disturbing apathy of the general public (by no means confined to Roscommon) to local championship games was clearly evident, on a perfect evening for football, when only about 200 dedicated partisans filed into this ideally appointed venue. Obviously live television is a largely contributing factor, but, at any event, Pearses started their fightback with a second minute point from play by Paul Duke, goalscorer against St. Aidan"s in the Páirc an Phiarsaigh opening round game the previous Wednesday (won by 1-13 to 0-8). With Pat Connell orchestrating matters at midfield, and Ja Egan (a late call-up for the listed Gerry Kelly in attack) heavily involved in practically every forward foray, incessant pressure was applied to the Elphin rearguard. As early as the 8th minute, full retribution was gained by the Reds for that early blitzkrieg, when, from a probing missile by midfielder Pat Connell, full-forward Niall Finneran got a deft touch to deflect the ball, which just beat Elphin "keeper Shane Reynolds. Ja Egan (2) and Niall Finneran then rapidly drew the fouls, punished three times in succession by sharpshooter Sean Fahy, to bring the Woodmount side"s total to 1-4 by the 19th minute. As stated, it was the 23rd minute before the Orchard men rose another flag, and it took good defending by the home rearguard, ably marshalled by Brendan Neary, Ronan Brady and Michael Glancy, to prevent a run of further Pearses scores. Ja Egan, however, was a constant thorn in the Elphin side. The corner-forward pointed from a Paul Duke pass, and again forced the foul, four minutes into injury time, pointed by centre-forward Alan Duffy to leave Eamon Mahon"s men 1-6 to 1-1 ahead at the short whistle. The home side, having shot four wides to Pearses" single miss in the first moiety, needed to strike early and effectively to get back in contention on the resumption, and they were rewarded with two pointed frees from the accurate boot of centre-forward John Collins. Pearses earlier made a master move in bringing out Michael Duignan as an extra man to augment a midfield sector where Pat Connell and Niall Carty also worked admirably. But it was Duignan who proceeded to take this contest by the scruff of the next, and he proved the rock of resistance upon which many Elphin moves floundered. The No. 13 was absolutely outstanding in the second half and was a prime contender for the man of the match award. A trio of Pearses points, per Sean Fahy (disputed by Elphin mentors), Pat Connell and Niall Finneran opened up a 6-point margin between the contenders entering the final quarter of the match. Elphin tried might and main to the end to break through for the goal which would kick-start their renaissance, but found no way through the Pearses fortress-like rearguard who were determined not to be caught out again as happened at the start. Eddie Egan"s North Roscommon brigade did out-score Pearses by 0-4 to 0-2 in the last quarter, John Collins added three more points including a beauty from play - with full-forward Colm Rock having the final say with a 65th minute point, while points from Alan Duffy and Paul Duke brought Pearses" total to 1-11 for the evening. The Reds almost goaled in the 40th minute of play, when it took a superlative save from Elphin goalie Shane Reynolds to keep out a Niall Finneran blockbuster, but, in the end, Pearses were full value for their 1-11 to 1-7 win, as they march onwards to the quarter-finals. The men from the South Roscommon Club have, once again, reached the knock-out stages and, on the evidence of Sunday"s away win, are ticking many of the boxes about their credentials correctly. Eamon Mahon and his management team are working hard to produce a championship winning combination, and the results are, to date, very encouraging. Goalkeeper Tomás Dolan, whose kickouts were highly impressive was soundness personified after that early concession, while Denis Whyte, Enda Barrett and Padraig Kelly, formed a strong full-back line where Damien Donnellan came on late in the game. Paul Kelly, despite being marked by Elphin"s best player, held down the pivotal berth with aplomb, ably flanked by Aidan Fallon and Declan Duffy, while Michael Duignan"s contribution, when moved outfield was highly instrumental in a sector where Pat Connell and Niall Carty also showed well. Up front, the fact that Paul Duke, Alan Duffy, Ja Egan, Niall Finneran and Sean Fahy all scored from play also relays good tidings as the business end of Championship "08 looms on the horizon. SCORERS - Padraig Pearses - N Finneran (1-1), Sean Fahy (0-4, 3fs), P Duke (0-2), A Duffy (0-2, 1f), J Egan (0-1), P Connell (0-1). Elphin - J Collins (0-5, 4fs), F Cregg (1-1), C Rock (0-1). Padraig Pearses - Tomás Dolan, Denis Whyte, Enda Barrett, Padraig Kelly, Aidan Fallon, Paul Kelly, Declan Duffy, Pat Connell, Niall Carty, Paul Duke, Alan Duffy, Michael Duignan, Ja Egan, Niall Finneran, Seán Fahy. Subs: Damien Donnellan for D Duffy (61), Gerry Kelly for Duke (62), Eanna Ryan for Egan (63). Elphin - Shane Reynolds, Jason Carney, Ronan Brady, Brendan Neary, Michael Glancy, Paddy O"Connor, Gerard Brady, Brian Higgins, Shane Tiernan, Niall Travers, John Collins, Kevin Brady, Fintan Cregg, Colm Rock, Eanna Tiernan. Subs: Frankie Cregg for K Brady (49), Paul Conlon for Tiernan (50), Dermot Neary for Glancy (63). Referee: Vivian Hardiman (Western Gaels) who issued 6 yellow cards (5 to Elphin).