AIB Leinster Club SFC Quarter-Final

EIRE OG (CARLOW) 2-9 NEWTOWN BLUES (LOUTH) 0-8

By Dan Bannon at the Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda

Two goals in two minutes midway through the opening from Murtough Ware and defender Brendan Kavanagh ensured Eire Og advanced to the penultimate stage.

The goals came on the back of some direct play and Newtown Blues having lived close to the edge beforehand eventually succumbed to the high balls and the majors provided the perfect lead for Éire Óg to defend and they comfortably did so.

The breakthrough came after a tense opening where it looked to go down to the wire as the sides were level on four occasions.

Christopher Blake and Rob Carr exchanged two excellent points from play to open proceedings.

As the game wore on, defences got on top and discipline became more vital. Darragh O’Brien son of current Carlow senior manager Turlough and Colm Judge traded frees.

Impressive Sean Gannon found the range he had an intriguing tussle all afternoon with Louth captain Andy McDonnell.

Newtown Blues sprung an all but brief lead for the last time in the game with two points from Ciaran Downey and their midfielder John Kermode.

Éire Óg then hit the hosts for the devastating one two combination and the possibly AFL bound Jordan Morrissey seized on the Blues meltdown to fire over.

Andy McDonnell made it a six point game at half time 2-5 to 0-5 yet, despite coming back from that exact margin to claim their Louth senior title there never seemed to be a comeback on the cards such was the dominance of the Carlow champions.

For the deficit to be clawed back, the Louth sided needed to take their chances, but missed points and a well worked goal chance mirroring the high ball tactic with midfielder John Kermode moving to the square.

The Carlow town team now grew in confidence and hit three counter attacking scores in a row Simon Rea (free), Ross Dunphy and O’Brien (free).

Colm Judge eventually found the range 13 minutes into the half but such was the level of control of Joe Murphy’s well drilled side they were able to see out the final quarter of the game without scoring after Rea’s last free on the the 46th minute.

The level of composure on show was exemplary by the former Leinster kingpins as they saw the game out with ease. Newtown Blues’ Jamie Kelly got a straight red and McDonnell picked up a black along with his earlier yellow to also receive his marching orders.

Éire Óg now face the team who beat them last year, Mullinalaghta.

Scorers for Éire Óg: Brendan Kavanagh and Murtough Ware 1-0 each, Darragh O’Brien 0-3 (3fs), Simon Rea 0-2 (2fs), Jordan Morrissey, Seán Gannon, Ross Dunphy and Christopher Blake 0-1 each.

Scorers for Newtown Blues: Andy McDonnell 0-2, Colm Judge 0-2 (1f), Ciaran Downey 0-2, (1f) Rob Carr and John Kermode 0-1 each.

EIRE OG: Robert Moore; Fiach O’Toole, Mark Fitzgerald, Brendan Kavanagh; Jordan Lowry, Paul McElligott, Jordan Morrissey; Seán Gannon, Kelvin Chatten; Simon Rea, Ross Dunphy, Eoghan Ruth; Darragh O’Brien, Murtough Ware, Christopher Blake.

Subs: Derek Haydenfor S Rea (46mins) Niall Quinlan for C Blake (49), Mark Furey for J Lowry (53mins), Cormac Mullins for M Ware (57 mins), Evan Kelly for R Dunphy (60+1 mins).

NEWTOWN BLUES: Dean Martin; Fergal O’Donohoe, Emmet Carolan, Paul Moore; Kevin Carr, Stephen Moonan, Johnny Connolly; John Kermode, Andy McDonnell; Rob Carr, Ciaran Downey, Conor Branigan; Colm Judge, Ross Nally, Conor Moore.

Subs: Alan Connor for S Moonan (23 mins), Hugh McGinn for J kermode (26 mins) J Kermode for C Moore (HT), Jamie Kelly for K Carr (41 mins), Thomas Costello for R Nally (49 mins).

REFEREE: Patrick Maguire (Longford).