Suncroft come good to advance to pre-quarter final
The Croft produced a brilliant final day against Two Mile House display to progress
Suncroft 3-11
Two Mile House 1-8
A do or die game fizzed and crackled before a talented Suncroft team claimed a comfortable victory and a preliminary quarter-final place on this crisp early Sunday afternoon.
A fancied Two Mile House side failed to show their best form to leave Narraghmore disappointed and with the task of overcoming a dreaded relegation playoff.
Suncroft were sharp from the get go and pressed their opponents with intensity, with Conn Kehoe getting the first score with a fine point. Fionn dowling added the second from a free after a high turnover before Eoghan Lawless was allowed to break through too easily by the Two Mile House defence for a third point. They nearly got a deserved goal when Jack Doyle found himself in on goal but David Craddock pulled off a decent save, before Dowling added another free. Two Mile House’s shooting was erratic and it took until the 15 minute for Peter Kelly to finally get his side up and running with a fine score.
Darragh Malone responded with a score of his own as the ‘The House’ continued to struggle defensively.
Didier Cordonnier then arrowed a shot over the bar before Doyle responded to leave his side 0-6 0-2 up after 20 minutes.
With five minutes left in the half, Adam Conneely produced an inspired run before flashing the ball across goal for Cordonnier to finish.
However, the referee ruled that he was in the square before the ball was played. The all-action Mark Sherry launched a brilliant kick over the bar from distance not long after to ease some of the disappointment. Brian Collins added to this to keep his side’s momentum going.
However, Suncroft regained the upper hand with late points from Lawless, Doyle and another Dowling free, which left them with a comfortable 0-9 to 0-4 lead at the break.
The second half was a more chaotic affair, with 4 goals and some needless yet entertaining handbags. Suncroft started the stronger again with Jack Setright producing a stirring point, before the skilful Lawless rounded David Craddock and slotted home for the first goal.
Mark Browne added another point to leave them with a 10 point lead after 40 minutes. Both Cordonnier and goalkeeper Craddock had opportunities to close the gap from the dead ball but fluffed their lines, before Collins had a go after another foul and landed his kick.
As Two Mile House tried to close the gap, keeper Craddock began to take up increasingly daring positions. They were punished for this tactic when Suncroft regained the ball high with the net unguarded, and Doyle produced a spectacular goal from far out on the left. Adam Conneely and Declan Kirwan had goalscoring opportunities afterwards but the former put his attempt wide and Dave Sutton saved from the latter. With emotions heightened, a fight inevitably broke out down Suncroft’s end with 8 minutes left.
The result was red cards for Harry Dillon of Suncroft and Gavin Burke of Two Mile House, and a presentable free which Collins pointed. Cordonnier added another, but Suncroft then went down the other end and got the ball to the gifted Lawless, who evaded multiple challenges before passing to Browne, who fired into the net.
Two Mile House did at least have the last say when Kirwan fired home for the last score.
Suncroft started the day bottom of the table but managed to leapfrog both today’s opponents and Kilcullen on points difference after this 9 point victory. Lawless, Dowling and Doyle showed up when their team need them. Two Mile House were poor defensively and lacked quality in attack, and they must now rage against the dying of the light.
SUNCROFT: Dave Sutton; Jack Setright 0-1, Sean Browne, Harry Dillon; Mikey Troy, Conor Smyth, Sam Murphy; Conn Kehoe 0-1, Mark Brown; Darragh Malone 0-1, Eoghan Lawless 1-2, Jack Doyle 1-2; Chris Philips, Fionn Dowling 0-3 (3fs), Mark Browne 1-1. Subs: Senan Brannock for Conor Smyth, 35, Tom Martin for Darragh Malone, 37, Ciaran Troy for Eoghan Lawless, 59.
TWO MILE HOUSE: David Craddock; Will Purcell, Andy Cregg, Charlie O’Boyle; Andy May, Peter Kelly 0-1, William Burke; Jack Collins, Glenn Burke; Jamie Gaire, Didier Cordonieer 0-2 (1fs), Adam Conneely; Declan Kirwan 1-0, Mark Sherry 0-1, Adam Byrne. SUBS: Brian Collins 0-3 (2fs) for Adam Byrne, 23; Michael McLoughlin for Glenn Burke, 37; Tom Coleman 0-1 for Jamie Gaire, 39.
REFEREE: Ryan Moran.