Farrell shows class as Edenderry improve and Durrow fall off pace in second half

A MUCH improved second half and a super display of sharp shooting from their star forward Cian Farrell saw a solid Edenderry collect two points in their Senior Football Championship opener against Durrow on Saturday evening.

Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship Group 2 Round 1

Edenderry 2-15

Durrow 0-9

Level at 0-6 each at half time after playing with the wind, Edenderry were in a spot of bother. Apart from Cian Farrell, they hadn't ignited as a unit in the first half but they were considerably better in the second half. Farrell top scored with 1-8, 1-3 from play and was a bundle of energy and movement.

Edenderry got on top throughout the field as Durrow ran out of steam, became increasingly dominant, looking in decent health and got away for a deserved win.

It was a subdued enough tie in the first half, lacking in the intensity and the fierce work ethic that Shamrocks and Ballycommon brought to the table in their opening fixtures against Ferbane and Tullamore.

Durrow were down two of their best footballers, county footballer Jack O'Brien and county hurler Ciaran Burke but competed very well for thirty minutes.

Playing against the wind in the first half, Durrow were 0-2 to 0-1 up after 10 minutes but Cian Farrell showed his class for Edenderry. He got five of their six first half points, three from play and was also off target with a couple of '45's as well as a penalty.

The penalty was awarded in the 11^th minute when Dermot Colbert made a fantastic save from Cillian Lowry but Mike McDermott carelessly fouled Colm Byrne when he grabbed the rebound. Cian Farrell's penalty was a bit casual and Colbert made a comfortable save.

Edenderry were 0-4 to 0-2 up after 15 minutes but three in a row for Durrow, all Kevin McDermott frees, had them a point up by the 22^nd minute – the third one was close to being a penalty as Sean Pender picked up the ball but referee Joey Deehan ruled that it was outside the small square and gave a 14 metre tap over free.

Another Cian Farrell beauty and a Sean Doyle free got Edenderry back in front while Dermot Colbert made another excellent save, this time denying Sean Doyle in the 28^th minute. Mark Troy floated over a lovely injury time point to send Durrow in on level terms, 0-6 each, at the break and they fully deserved that.

There was more life in the second half as Edenderry stepped up a gear and Durrow tried to respond early on. An excellent 32^nd minute Cian Farrell goal after a great break by very impressive sub Alan Harte gave Edenderry the initiative as they began to move with more pace. They led by 1-8 to 0-8 after 38 minutes as Durrow dug deep.

Edenderry were much more focused in the second half as Jordan Hayes became much more prominent, playing at wing back, Sean Doyle got into the game and Adam Harte added new life and pace to their attack off the bench.

They went for the jugular impressively once they got on top, getting a run of six points as Durrow fell way off the pace. They were a beaten docket even before a punched goal from Sean Doyle ended their very slim hopes in the 23^rd minute, giving the winners a 2-13 to 0-8 lead.

Durrow will be very disappointed with their second half collapse. They only managed three points with the wind on their back and went from the 37^th to 62^nd minutes without scoring – and that final point was a Kevin McDermott free.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cian Farrell (Edenderry): Cian Farrell had a great game for Edenderry and was hugely influential when they were off the pace in the first half. Some of his points oozed quality while he showed his class with his goal, taking his time and picking his spot. Ross Ravenhill tried his best on him but once Farrell got the ball into hand, he was impossible to mark – and while he had a few wides, he was not far off his best here.

David Brady, Jordan Hayes, Rory Egan, Alan Harte and Sean Doyle also caught the eye for the winners.

Jack Fogarty had a terrific first half for Durrow but they were over powered in the midfield diamond in the second half as Edenderry turned the screw. Brian Geraghty did fight hard when Fogarty went out of the game while Dermot Colbert made some fantastic saves in goal. Dan Bourke showed great movement at times for Durrow while Kevin McDermott also took it on but Durrow's second half display was very disappointing.

THE SCORERS

Edenderry: Cian Farrell 1-8 (5f), Sean Doyle 1-6 (4f), Jordan Hayes 0-1.

Durrow: Kevin McDermott 0-6 (5f), Jack Fogarty, Mark Troy, Billy Fogarty 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

EDENDERRY: Mark Young; Liam Farrell, Sean Pender, Eoin Dunne; Lee Pearson, David Brady, Jordan Hayes; Rory Egan, Jack Brady; Conor McCarthy, Adam Mahon, Colm Byrne; Sean Doyle, Cian Farrell, Cillian Lowry. Subs – Alan Harte for Mahon (HT), Dylan Byrne for Jack Brady (33m), Ciaran Farrell for McCarthy (46m), Alex Kenny for Pearson, inj. (56m),

DURROW: Dermot Colbert; Sean Hughes, Ross Ravenhill, Mark Hughes; Mike McDermott, Colin Waters, David Magner; Brian Geraghty, Jack Fogarty; Dan Wyer, Kevin McDermott, Dan Bourke; Mark Troy, Niall Geraghty, Billy Fogarty. Subs – Barry O'Rourke for Billy Fogarty (42m), Brian Duignan for Niall Geraghty (42m), Sam Bourke for Sean Hughes (45m),

Referee – Joey Deehan (Clara).

REFEREE WATCH

Joey Deehan had a very good game and there were no issues. Edenderry's first half penalty was justified while Durrow were very close to getting one later in the half when Sean Pender picked up off the ground. If Pender was in the small square, a penalty would have been the award and he was close but Deehan ruled that he was outside, giving a 14 metre free.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Cian Farrell's 32^nd minute goal changed the game and Edenderry ruthlessly pushed on from there.

VENUE WATCH

One very good decision with the format for the Senior Football Championship was playing the first two rounds at home and away venue. Clubs have taken great pride in hosting their own team and whether by accident or design, the fact that the four outsiders had their home games first has worked very well.

Mucklagh and Ballycommon were great hosts in the opening two rounds and Durrow continued that trend here – though the crowd was considerably smaller here than in Mucklagh and Ballycommon. Their ground was looking meticulous, they had loads of stewards, catering facilities and singers, two local women Frankie Hennessy and Claire O'Dea, for the national anthem as well as PA announcements. They also provided a very welcome new press box for media at the back of the stand, a very very simple but ideal structure – something which many clubs used to provide as a matter of course when carrying out developments in the past but don't provide now. And in the modern age where reports are going out quickly after final whistles and reporters are operating off laptops, this is really helpful.

WHAT'S NEXT

Edenderry host Shamrocks while Durrow travel to Ferbane in round 2.

STATISTICS

Wides: Edenderry – 9 (4 in first half); Durrow – 3 (2 in first half).

Yellow cards: 0

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0