Depleted Athlone CC dethroned

The reign of Athlone Community College as Leinster Colleges SF 'A' kingpins ended at Timahoe, as New Ross, overcame a poor opening to eventually grind out a flattering 4-point victory, which earned them a place in the quarter-finals of competition. Friday"s results brought glad tidings to the Model County, with St. Peter"s College also making it to the last eight, further evidence of the current buoyancy of the big ball game in the South East. But Good Counsel could thank, in no small measure, a highly fortuitous 52nd minute goal, when a speculative shot from corner-forward Shane Bradley, from out on the wing, went all the way to the net, at a time when only one point separated the teams. This was the score which would ultimately clinch this Round 2 encounter for the Wexford boys, but Athlone travelled to the Co Laois venue sorely handicapped by a litany of injuries affecting no less than 16 of their playing panel. An influential breeze blew towards the Pavilion end of this well-presented venue in the hill country of South Laois. Before Christmas, at the same venue, Good Counsel would dish out a terrible hiding to many-times kingpins St. Mel"s, Longford (3-16 to 0-6). For their part, the Shannonsiders, despite some depletion in their ranks, had an 0-11 to 0-7 win over Ardscoil na Trionóide, Athy. Thus, the side jointly managed by Chris Forde, Niall Finneran and Val O"Connor, knew the scale of the challenge facing them as referee Pat Moran got the match under way on a dry, but blustery, afternoon. The defending champions, with the benefit of the elements, were immediately into their stride in a spell of assured ascendancy, which would continue undeterred until the 12th minute of play. Four unanswered points were accumulated, which could have been more but for some wayward shooting that ultimately proved costly. With the outstanding Ben Moran reigning supreme at centre-back from the off, coupled with the dominance of midfielders Alan Fitzpatrick and Niall Daly, attack after attack became the order of the day for the title holders. Moran created the opening for centre-forward Garvan Broughall to put his team in front with a 4th minute point, followed almost immediately by a like-score from an acute angle, splendidly taken by Darragh McCormack. Padraig Cunningham, who scored the winning point in last year"s Leinster final v Gormanston, saw his hard shot career off the crossbar, but Sean Ryan continued the offensive when pointing on the follow-up (6th minute). These were great times for Athlone, even if they were off target on a few occasions against shell-shocked opponents, and it was Garvan Broughall (St. Brigid"s) who put his team four points to the good with an impressive 9th minute effort. Good Counsel had not succeeded in launching a single attack in this Athlone blitzkrieg, but when corner-forward and known dangerman Ger Aylward grabbed possession around the halfway line in the 12th minute, a goal eventually resulted. Aylward took off on a menacing solo run and though his parting shot was blocked out, midfielder Declan Murphy finished the ball to the net for a goal, which came completely against the run of play. In spite of this body blow, the Shannonsiders scored their 5th point in the 19th minute, when Garvan Broughall punished a foul on Sean Ryan. However, that goal had ignited Good Counsel, with the Glenmore wizard, Aylward, pulling the strings. He drew the foul, pointed by midfielder Matthew O"Hanlon, followed a minute later by the equaliser, sent over by the ever-improving Declan Murphy. This midfield duo had now seized the initiative, with the balance of power ominously shifting the New Ross way. Another free (28th minute), earned by the indomitable Aylward, and pointed by midfielder Murphy, edged the Wexford team into a lead they hardly deserved on the general run of play. But Jaydean Nicell, introduced some minutes earlier, showed his mettle when sending over a smashing point, just on the half hour, from a Robert Kenny centre, to level the contest (0-6 to 1-3) at Pat Moran"s short whistle. Now wind-assisted, would Good Counsel replicate their heroics against St. Mel"s? An early second-half goal opportunity for Athlone was cleared away by Good Counsel goalie Seán O"Gorman, but then came a fruitful spell for the Barrowsiders with three unanswered points, courtesy of Declan Murphy (free), and Ger Aylward (2). Just when it looked as through the tide was turning south-easterly, Athlone CC hit back with a vengeance. A 38th minute shot from Sean Ryan was parried out by the New Ross defence, but super-sub Jaydean Nicell showed admirable opportunism to find the net, simultaneously tying up this Round 2 clash again. Play now became teak-tough with a degree of needle creeping into the exchanges. Caulry"s Alan Fitzpatrick had to be temporarily replaced, with the holders suffering another blow with the loss of key defender Ben Moran through injury. Wing-back Lorcan French had, meanwhile, edged Good Counsel ahead with a 41st minute point, but it was still all to play for as Athlone strove might and main to retain their grip on the title. Goalie David McHugh, with a hard-working full-back trio in Declan Donohoe, at the fringe of the square, flanked by Eamonn Mullery and Stephen McManus, defended heroically as that final quarter dawned. With just the minimum margin separating the protagonists, it looked as if it would go to the wire. Making light of their injury problems and the loss of key players, Athlone looked in prime position to, at least, force extra-time. Lady luck, however, was to heartbreakingly desert them in the 52nd minute, when, from a high speculative kick by corner-forward Shane Bradley, the ball deceived the Athlone defence and went straight to the net. The Shannonsiders, though four points adrift at this stage, maintained pressure with Padraig Cunningham winning a brace of frees, the first of them hastily taken, but the second was converted by Garvan Broughall to make it a goal-game. It was the Wexford side"s turn to now feel the heat, but they weathered the storm and, five minutes into injury time, who else but Ger Aylward won a crucial free, pointed by Declan Murphy, which proved the insurance score as Good Counsel made the quarter-finals. Athlone CC were great champions, only losing narrowly in last year"s semi-final to eventual All-Ireland winners, St. Pat"s, Dungannon. They came within an ace of defying adversity against Good Counsel on Friday, but they did contribute to a stirring struggle and can hold their heads high on the day. Apart from those mentioned, John Murray, James Shaughnessy and Adam Ward, along with subs Chris Connor and Jason Merrigan, impressed at various stages. SCORERS - Good Counsel, New Ross - D Murphy (1-4, 0-3f), S Bradley (1-0), G Aylward (0-2), M O"Hanlon (0-1f), L French (0-1). Athlone CC- G Broughall (0-4, 2f); J Nicell (1-1); D McCormack (0-1); S Ryan (0-1). Good Counsel, New Ross: Seán O"Gorman, Mick Furlong, James Breen, Michael Curtis, Matt Crowdle, David Crowdle, Lorcan French, Matthew O"Hanlon, Declan Murphy, Alan Nolan, Eoin Mythen, David Larkin, Ger Aylward, Walter Walsh, Shane Bradley. Subs: Matthew Cody for Mythen (40 mins); Shane Cullen for Bradley (55). Athlone Community College - David McHugh, Eamonn Mullery, Declan Donohoe, Stephen McManus, John Murray, Ben Moran, James Shaughnessy, Alan Fitzpatrick (capt), Niall Daly, Adam Ward, Garvan Broughall, Seán Ryan, Pádraig Cunningham, Robert Kenny, Darragh McCormack. Subs: Jaydean Nicell for McCormack (25 mins); Chris Connor for Moran (inj., 52); Jason Merrigan for Daly (inj., 58). Referee: Pat Moran (Laois).