West Junior A Football Championship taking shape as Arravale book final spot

By Francis Coughlan at Solohead 

Arravale Rovers booked their place in the final of the Marria Marron Palmers Hill Stud West Junior A Football Championship for the first time since 2012 following a two-point victory over Cappawhite at a rain soaked Solohead on Friday evening.

When the sides met in the opening game of the round robin section of the competition a late Fergal McNamara goal sealed victory for Arravale Rovers when it looked as if Cappawhite were about to sneak victory. On this occasion James Hogan’s goal midway through the second half would prove enough to see Arravale advance.

In such bad conditions a goal would also prove vital to the side who could score one. Hogan’s goal was probably rather fortuitous – his effort for a point at the dressing room side of the pitch between the thirteen and twenty metre lines looked as if it was heading just over the bar but dipped into the top corner of the net.

A persistent rain continued for all of the game and at times grew very heavy making underfoot as well as ball handling conditions especially hard. Eoghan Ryan got Cappawhite off the mark in the fifth minute with a pointed free but just three minutes later David Kelly pointed a free to level the tie at the Acraboy end.

Scores were slow to come by Eric Higgins came up the field to kick a free from the ground and this was cancelled out by a similar effort from David Buckley. Just before the quarter mark David Buckley added his second as Cappawhite led 0-3 to 0-2. It was the last time they would lead in the game. Arravale hit a purple patch with four points in five minutes to push three clear.

Jack Hogan and David Kelly pointed and these were followed by efforts from Paddy Dalton and Brian Jones who were both getting onto a lot of ball. Conor Martin did cut the deficit but another David Kelly point had Arravale ahead at the break 0-7 to 0-4.

The gap was down to a single point by the sixth minute of the half with two Eoghan Ryan points. One of those efforts just raising over the bar. Both sides struggled to add to their tallies as conditions worsened and it was certainly turning into a defenders game.

Hogans goal on the three-quarter mark would be Arravale’s only score of the half but it would prove decisive. Eoghan Ryan and David Buckley did respond with points but they failed to get in for a goal which could have turned the tie in their favour.

Arravale were well able to get numbers back and tackled well in packs forcing turnovers and also ensured there was no way through to Eric Higgins goal.

Arravale will now play the winners of Sean Treacys and Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams in the final.

Scorers and Teams:
Arravale Rovers: David Kelly (0-3, (0-2f)), James Hogan (1-0), Eric Higgins (0-1f), Jack Hogan (0-1), Paddy Dalton (0-1), Brian Jones (0-1)

Cappawhite: Eoghan Ryan (0-4, (0-2f)), David Buckley (0-3, (0-1f)), Conor Martin (0-1)

Arravale Rovers: Eric Higgins, Oscar O’Dwyer, Jack Ryan, Odhram O’Dwyer, Jack English, Roger O’Connor, Oisin Hogan, Evan Carrie, Fergal McNamara, Dan O’Dwyer, Brian Jones, Micheal Sharpe, David Kelly, Paddy Dalton, Jack Hogan
Subs Used: Niall Sharpe, James Hogan, Gavin O’Meara, Noel O’Mahoney

Cappawhite: Aidan Mair, Cian O’Carroll, Brendan Murphy, Noel Ryan, Conor Martin, Gearoid Ryan B, Conor Martin, David Buckley, Daire Duggan, Dara McCarthy, Michael P Buckley, Sean Cleary, Michael O’Neill, Eoghan Ryan, Willie Barry
Subs Used: Pakie Barry, Neil Clancy, Sam Carmody

Referee: Tom Dawson (Eire Og Annacarty Donohill)