SFL Division 1 Round 14
Maynooth 1-9
St Kevin's 0-9
Comerford’s first half volley gave them a goal that proved the difference.
In a low-scoring first half, Comerford’s goal gave Maynooth the lead, 1-4 to 0-4, and it was the Crom Abú who looked the most threatening even though the saints found the target first.
Full-forward Johnny Fitzharris clipped over two nice frees in the first five minutes to give an under-strength Kevin’s side the ideal start.
Maynooth took over after ten minutes, a Pierre Ennis free the first of three straight scores and after Fitzharris levelled for Kevin’s, Maynooth struck the killer blow.
An excellent move down the right saw Maynooth’s pace and movement cut the Kevin’s defence apart and when Pierre Ennis helped the ball across the edge of the square Paddy Comerford arrived with a perfectly-timed shot to crash a half-volley into the roof of the net.
With a quarter of an hour to go Karl Ennis got his first point after a fruitless search for a score in the previous 45 minutes, and with Maynooth taking a four point advantage it looked to be too much for Kevin’s.
Instead Maynooth decided to play possession football in their own half-back line and the tactic back-fired as some sloppy passing almost saw Kevin’s steal in for a shot at a goal.
With just two minutes to go the margin was back to two points following Fitzharris’ fifth score and a point from wing-back Martin Sheridan.
Ennis the county man was on hand in the final minute to secure victory with a pointed free.
MAYNOOTH: Francis Farrell; Paul Cashin, Colin O’Neill, Joe Brennan; Joe Geary, Niall Byrne, Alan McAndrew; Mickey Bennett, Conor Canning; Karl Ennis 0-2 (1f), Cillian Carr, John McAndrew; Niall Naughton 0-2, Pierre Ennis 0-3 (1f), Paddy Comerford 1-1. Subs: Sean Kennedy for Geary, h/t; Andrew O’Regan for Naughton, 41; Adam Gunn for Brennan, 48; Paul Flood for Farrell, 48.
