MLR were a different animal on Friday night.
2024 Michael Lyng Motors SFC Group 1 Round 3
MLR 2-7, Tinryland 0-8
By Stephen Bambrick
They say a week is a long time in politics; well, 5 days in the Carlow SFC may not be all that long calendar-wise, but that’s all it took for MLR to show that last week’s heavy defeat at the hands of Old Leighlin was more than parked, learned from, and with a few bodies back, improved on.
A place in the quarter-finals was deservedly their’s in this preliminary quarter-final/relegation semi-final with the taking of 2 opportunistic goals (the latter when Tinryland seemed to be getting on top) but also building on these to see out a 5-point victory.
It took just 30 seconds for James McGrath to cut in and point for Tinryland on their very first attack, Diarmuid Walshe’s run creating the space. MLR’s first score, when it did come, was more about place than space, Tim Brennan being in the right place to flick to the net as Jon Nolan’s pointed effort dropped short in the 5th minute, MLR’s turn this time for an early goal.
The Tinryland response was immediate, seeing Matthew O’Toole slot a point from just shy of the 45 before the South Carlow men hit a purple patch. Three unanswered points courtesy of Tony Lawlor’s pair of frees from 35 and 45 meters, respectively, were either side of Evan Kealy’s well-worked left-footed effort – all quality scores – 1-3 to 0-2 in the 12th minute.
A response was required, and it came from the Tinryland men, the next 4 scores of the game all going on their account. Walshe’s pair in the 15th and 17th (free after an advantage) minutes before a carbon copy pair to Conor Carew and Jonah Dunne, both on the MLR D. Tinryland was in the ascendancy at this point with 23 minutes on the clock.
The next score was to prove decisive. Conaill Fitzpatrick, who was making some incisive runs, found himself bottled up at the tunnel side when his shot for a point drifted across the Tinryland square, with Edward Byrne’s touch finding the incoming Ted Joyce to goal. 2-3 to 0-6 on 25 minutes, the half finishing with a Carew free rebounding off the post and following a slip in the MLR rearguard, Jonah Dunne’s deft flick finding Carew’s effort just missed the target. 2-3 to 0-6 it remained at half time.
The sight of Paul Broderick (not on the programme but wearing number 30) warming up at half time suggested his introduction was imminent. By the 37th minute when he did, MLR had literally kicked for home, doubling their lead through Tim Brennan, Robert Stafford, and Chris Nolan – all well-taken opportunities either side of the Tinryland D. (This after Tinryland had possession for the first 3 minutes of the new half with Danny Moran’s shot going wide.)
When Tinryland’s first did come, 47 minutes were on the clock, Carew again with the score. The next minute almost saw the game over as a contest, with Tony Lawlor’s rasper slamming the crossbar and Ted Joyce’s rebound saved by Chris Townsend. 2-6 to 0-7 it remained.
Tinryland’s last score of the night would come a minute later. Walshe seemed to possibly be lobbing in around the house, his effort going over. That 4-point cushion didn’t become 5 until the 58th minute with Chris Nolan punching over. Chris Conway’s side comfortably saw out the remaining time to earn a quarter-final spot with the winners of the Eire Og v Rathvilly clash, while Tinryland must face Clonmore in the relegation decider. The final score was 2-7 to 0-8.
MLR Scorers
Subs
Tinryland Scorers
Subs
Referee – Jonathan Murphy (St. Mullins)
