Influential subs tell the tale for Edenderry as gallant Walsh Island run out of steam late on

THE introduction of highly influential subs saw Edenderry rally powerfully late on to snatch victory from a gallant Walsh Island's grasp in an engrossing Division 3 Football League final at Walsh Island on Friday evening.

Division 3 Football League final

Edenderry 2-10

Walsh Island 1-12

The winners got 1-5 off the bench with Jamie Dolan turning the game on its head, scoring 1-4, including a two pointer after coming on in the 39^th minute while another sub, former senior star Keith McGuinness stroked over a wonderful winning point deep in injury time.

With other subs also contributing well, Edenderry were able to finish strongly for the win in a game that could have swung either way. The result was hard luck on Walsh Island who played close to their best and displayed terrific character. The legs went on a few players late on while an injury to vastly experienced midfielder Thomas O'Connor also went against them – O'Connor has returned to Walsh Island this year after a short-lived sojourn with Kilcavan and his ability to settle things down and do the right thing was sorely missed late on.

Walsh Island deserved extra time, even if the impression that they wouldn't have been able to survive this and Edenderry would have had more options is a powerful one.

We will never know though and full marks to Edenderry for the way they finished in a game where they were on the back foot for a long period.

The first half was a fairly tame affair as Walsh Island struggled to take advantage of a stiff wind. A punched goal from Sean Moriarty in the 10^th minute gave Edenderry a 1-0 to no score lead and they would have been in bother only for that.

Walsh Island had a load of possession in the first half but kicked too many wides, eight in all, and these bit them in the ass at the end of the day. With Willie Mulhall and Oisin Murphy going well in their attack, Walsh Island did begin to find the range in the second quarter and a super Mulhall two pointer in injury time gave them a 0-7 to 1-1 half time lead.

It meant they had a chance in the second half as it was never going to be a high scoring game. Points from Alan Harte and Stephen McGlynn (mark) quickly brought the deficit back to a point in the second half but Walsh Island played their best football after this. They got on top in a lot of places with a punched 36^th minute goal from John Doyle, following a point from him, giving them a 1-8 to 1-3 lead.

Jamie Dolan got a two pointer for Edenderry but opportunist points from Murphy and Mulhall kept Walsh Island going and a 1-10 to 1-5 lead with fifteen minutes to go was a big one.

Dolan's 48^th minute goal gave Edenderry a lifeline and while Willie Mulhall settled the losers with a point, the momentum was now very much with Edenderry. Walsh Island tipped into the red with a few players no longer able to make the hard runs while their error count crept higher and three points without reply edged Edenderry ahead, 2-9 to 1-11 with a minute left.

Walsh Island deserve huge credit for almost salvaging it. Alan Mulhall was wide with a two point free before he curled over the equaliser a minute into injury time. Extra time loomed but Edenderry conjured up the winner just short of three minutes into added time,. Stephen McGlynn laying off to Keith McGuinness who kicked a point worthy of winning any game.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jamie Dolan (Edenderry): He may have been on the field just over twenty minutes but Jamie Dolan made a match winning contribution. The Edenderry attack was infinitely more potent with him on the field while Keith McGuinness also moved well.

Willie Mulhall was Walsh Island's best player while Oisin Murphy, heavily bandaged, was very good until the closing stages and Colm Gavin did a lot of good work at centre back.

THE SCORERS

Edenderry: Jamie Dolan 1-4 (1 x 2p), Sean Moriarty 1-1, Stephen McGlynn (2f and 1m), Keith McGuinness and Alan Harte 0-1 each.

Walsh Island: Willie Mulhall 0-7 (1 x2p and 2f), John Doyle 1-1, Oisin Murphy 0-3, Alan Mulhall 0-1.

THE TEAMS

EDENDERRY: Eric Corcoran; Enda O'Donoghue, Liam Farrell, Rory Allen; Conor Hynes, Mark McCarthy, Callum Dunne; Bobby Reynolds, Peter Butler (captain); Alan Harte, Cathal Nolan, Jake Mooney; Dean Mullally, Stephen McGlynn, Sean Moriarty. Subs – Jake Connolly for McCarthy, inj. 18m), Dan Lowry for Mooney (HT), Jamie Dolan for Mullally (39m), Keith McGuinness for O'Donoghue (42m), Cathal Farrell for Hynes (46m).

WALSH ISLAND: Ian Duffy; Ryan McKenna, Evin Galvin (captain, James Gallagher; Killian Duffy, Colm Gavin, Jack Duffy; Tommy Brereton, Thomas O'Connor; Jack Haverty, Reece Cuddihy, Dara Cuddihy; Oisin Murphy, Alan Mulhall, William Mulhall. Subs – John Doyle for Haverty, inj. (28m), Jamie McKenna for O'Connor (42m).

Referee – Kevin Williamson, Tullamore.

REFEREE WATCH

Kevin Williamson handled it with his usual competency and there were no issues.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Edenderry would not have won this without Jamie Dolan's second half goal and Walsh Island would almost certainly have held on

VENUE WATCH

With no stand, Clonbullogue's pitch was exposed on a poor evening but their spirit again shone through with plenty of stewards and the place looking well. Their pitch was in great order and the only negative was that they had the scoreboard wrong for much of the second half with the Edenderry tally short.

WHAT'S NEXT

Both clubs now concentrate on the championship.

STATISTICS

Wides: Edenderry - 6 (3 in first half); Walsh Island - 11 (8 in first half).

Yellow cards: Walsh Island – 2 (James Gallagher and Jamie McKenna); Edenderry - 0

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0