Edenderry get big reward for unlikely draw after getting only one score from play

THE type of game we feared when the format for the Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship was agreed certainly emerged in O'Connor Park on Sunday afternoon as Ferbane and Edenderry engaged in shadow boxing before it ended in a draw.

Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship Group 2 Round 3

Edenderry 2-5

Ferbane 1-8

In a way, a draw was the fairest result as neither side really deserved to win this one but Edenderry received the big reward for it. The point earned them second place in the group on scoring difference and a quarter-final against Bracknagh while Ferbane now face a real humdinger against Rhode.

The impoverished nature of this game is reflected by the statistic that Edenderry were still able to draw, despite scoring only a solitary point from play with their two goals coming from a mark and penalty while four of their five points came from frees.

Offaly football joint managers Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly were in O'Connor Park before this clash to meet the local media, opting to take in the Rhode v Tullamore clash in Daingean instead. By all accounts, that was fairly mediocre fare but they certainly missed little in O'Connor Park as the two sides served up a tame, poor affair, played without true championship intensity to a large extent.

There wasn't much that will stay in the memory here with the error count quite high and both sides guilty of misplaced passes, careless fouling, poor shooting and dropping way too many shots short. The conditions were a redeeming factor with a stiff wind blowing straight down into the Park Avenue goal. It resulted in the team playing against it pulling a lot of players back, creating a cagey, defensive battle.

Edenderry were particularly defensive against the wind in the first half, often leaving Alex Kenny isolated up front. Ferbane were the better side in the first half and led by 1-5 to 0-2 at the break with their goal coming from a 23^rd minute penalty that Kevin Nugent converted after Cathal Flynn was fouled by Lee Pearson.

Both sides had six wides in the first half but Ferbane's were much more costly as they had enough possession and views of the posts to be further ahead at the break.

The second half was only marginally better. Ferbane were not quite as defensive as Edenderry against the wind but still found it very hard to create chances and break down the opposition. Still they looked to be in complete control when they led by 1-7 to 0-4 after 47 minutes.

Edenderry received the break they needed with a goal from a mark by Cian Farrell in the 49^th minute. If Farrell meant it, the goal was a stroke of genius as his shot dipped into the net but it is very possible that it was a fluke as he certainly appeared to slip on the run up to the kick and may have mishit it - a later viewing on video suggested that he may have meant it and Edenderry had nothing to lose at that stage and he would have been correct to have taken a pop at it.

Either way, it changed the game, especially as Ferbane spurned a great goal chance straight after it, sub Brian Carroll drawing a fine save from Mark Young but it was a miss that the west Offaly side were left to rue.

Edenderry got on level terms two minutes later when Cillian Lowry was fouled by David Dunican and Alex Kenny blasted to the net. Amazingly, Edenderry were now level without getting one score from play and with the wind on their back, it was set up for an unlikely win. It looked like they would get that when Adam Mahon got their first and only score from play in the 58^th minute but Ferbane dug deep.

They didn't panic as they probed and teased and Cian Johnson got the equaliser in the 59^th minute – he initially tried to claim the mark but referee Kevin Williamson indicated that the ball had been kicked from inside the 40 metre line. Johnson still had the wherewithal to equalise and in the three minutes of injury time, neither side could conjure up the winner – Leon Fox did have a pop from just inside 40 metres for Ferbane but it was very much in the kick and hope category and floated wide.

The draw was a just result, though Edenderry were much the happier with it – both for getting a result out of a game where they didn't play well and for getting what is certainly an easier quarter-final than the one now facing Ferbane.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jack Egan (Ferbane): There weren't many standout players in this game. Jordan Hayes had a fine second half for Edenderry and Rory Egan also found good form for them. Patrick Taaffe did well in the Ferbane defence while the choice is Jack Egan. Egan wasn't on the ball much but provided a great example of doing the job he was sent out to do. He was on Cian Farrell for the most part and stuck to him like glue, ensuring that he got very few chances to shoot. The only negative for Egan was a costly one as he stood too far off Farrell for that 49^th minute mark but apart from that, he kept the Edenderry sharp shooter out of it.

THE SCORERS

Ferbane: Kevin Nugent 1-0 (penalty), Jack Clancy and Darragh Flynn (1f) 0-2 each, Patrick Taaffe, Cathal Flynn, Cian Johnson and Joe Maher 0-1 each.

Edenderry: Cian Farrell 1-3 (goal from a mark and 3f), Alex Kenny 1-0 (penalty), Conor McCarthy (free) and Adam Mahon 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

FERBANE: David Dunican; Patrick Taaffe, Ciaran Cahill, Jack Egan; Shane Nallyl, Leon Fox, Stephen Wren; Kevin Nugent, Kyle Higgins; Ronan McGuire, Cathal Flynn, Jack Clancy; Cian Johnson, Joe Maher, Darragh Flynn. Subs – Brian Carroll for McGuire (47m), David Kelly for Higgins (51m), Oisin Kelly for Clancy (57m),

EDENDERRY: Mark Young; Liam Farrell, Sean Pender, Eoin Dunne; Lee Pearson, Adam Mahon, Dylan Byrne; Rory Egan, Jordan Hayes; Conor McCarthy, Cian Farrell, Colm Byrne; Alex Kenny, Alan Harte,, Cillian Lowry. Subs – Ciaran Farrell for Dylan Byne (HT), Darragh Farrell for Harte (43m), David Brady for Dunne (59m).

Referee – Kevin Williamson (Tullamore).

REFEREE WATCH

Kevin Williamson had an excellent game and was in control the whole way. Cillian Lowry probably should have got a yellow for one late first half tackle when he tried to pull on the ball but he let him away with it. Ferbane's first half penalty was a big call but Williamsom was correct as Lee Pearson did push Cathal Flynn and if that happened out the field, a free would be given without complaint. Edenderry's second half penalty was also correct as Cillian Lowry was fouled by David Dunican.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The big game changing moment was Cian Farrell's goal from a mark in the 49^th minute. It may well have been more accidental than intentional but with Brian Carroll missing a goal chance at the other end seconds later, Edenderry were able to salvage a very good point.

VENUE WATCH

The O'Connor Park pitch was in great order and it was easy to host a small crowd.

WHAT'S NEXT

Edenderry play Bracknagh while Ferbane meet Rhode in the quarter-finals.

STATISTICS

Wides: Ferbane – 9 (6 in first half); Edenderry - 11 (6 in first half).

Yellow cards: 0

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0