O’Dempsey’s secure place in SFC quarter finals as they get the better of Emo

O’Dempsey’s made it through to the quarter-finals of the Senior Football Championship on Sunday afternoon, beating neighbours Emo in O'Moore Park. O’Dempsey’s had to survive a spirited fight-back in the closing stages, but killed the game off in injury time to seal the result.

Emo looked fantastic in their Round 1 win over Rosenallis, while O'Dempsey's got the championship underway when they pulled off a huge win against Graiguecullen.

O’Dempsey’s 2-15

Emo 1-14

O'Dempsey's got off to a bright start when Mark Barry and Eoin Finlay kicked them two up. Davy Costello landed a free for Emo before Barry cancelled it with a lovely strike.

Costello converted a second free shortly afterwards as Emo were beginning to show some intensity.

Jack Lennon out O’Dempsey’s two clear again midway through the first half, but Emo hit a sensational five-minute spell, scoring 1-3 without reply. The goal came first when Darren Strong saw his effort drop short, but Costello was there to retrieve the situation, punching the ball into Podge Bannon’s net.

Padraig Kirwin kicked two points inside 60 seconds before Costello added another to his tally, leaving Emo up by four after 20 minutes.

But the momentum shifted way back in favour of O’Dempsey’s after that, as they scored a frightening 1-5 on the bounce, starting with a goal from Barry Kelly. He started the move, winning a kick out before going on a strong run, playing a nice one-two with Eoin Finlay, and placing the ball in the corner of the net to give Eoin Butler no chance.

They kicked five points in six minutes after that, including three from Mark Barry. Paddy Hosey kicked a free to stop the rot, but Eoin Finlay responded in kind just before the half time whistle. 1-10 to 1-6 in favour of O’Dempsey’s at the interval.

The second half could not have started any worse for Emo, as Johnny Kelly produced a highlight-reel goal that any footballer would be proud of, unleashing a rocket of a shot into the top corner.

Mark Barry landed another free before Emo got one back through Davy Costello. This was followed by a scoreless ten minutes as Emo tried, in vein, to reduce the deficit. Jack Owens and Padraig Kirwan did eventually kick a score each, but that left them six points behind with just ten minutes left on the clock.

Michael Finlay and Stephen Lennon extended the O’Dempsey’s lead to eight with five minutes remaining, before Emo gave one last shot at redemption. They kicked four points in four minutes including one each from Nigel Murphy and Darren Strong and two from Costello.

With just a goal between the sides, Mark Barry and Stephen Lennon quashed the rebellion with scores late on. Strong kicked a consolation point at the end but the loss means Emo are in to Round 3 of the championship, where they will play Clonaslee-St Manman’s.