Stradbally 2-11 Emo 2-10
ACFL Division 1 Round Round 4
Stradbally moved up to second spot in the Laois Shopping Centre ACFL Division 1 following a last gasp victory over Emo this evening.
Padraig Clancy’s charges raced into an 11 point lead with 20 minutes on the clock but then slowly lost control of the game.
With Niall Gorman and Liam Crowley dominating midfield, Emo worked their way back into the game and narrowed the gap to six by half time.
Two second half goals from Ross Meredith drew Emo level but they just couldn’t get ahead.
They had a series of late chances but kick wide after wide from scoreable positions to let Stradbally off the hook.
And then with the final action of the game, David Donohue won a kick out and fed Benny Lawlor who raced away from the Emo defence to kick the winning score.
Stradbally had the ball in the net in the opening minute when Lawlor gathered the ball on the 45 and showed electrifying pace to run past several defenders before fisting across the square for Eoin Buggie to score.
Jody Dillon, Benny Lawlor and Cillian Maher all pointed before Stradbally’s second goal arrived in the 11th minute when Lawlor intercepted a kick off and headed for goal before scoring.
Paul Lawlor responded with Emo’s opening score but Stradbally continued as Lawlor kicked a two point free and Jody Dillon also scored to make it 2-6 to 0-1 after 20 minutes.
Emo ended the half well though as Niall Gorman and Colm Poole both landed a brace with Ross Meredith and Paul Lawlor also pointing.
Benny Lawlor brought the half to a close with a free as Stradbally led 2-7 to 0-7 at half time.
Ross Meredith cut the gap with a two point free but Stradbally remained six clear as Cillian Maher and Lawlor hit back.
Meredith kicked another free and the gap was back to two with a quarter of the game to play when he reacted first as Ruairi Bourke drew a fine save from Darren Maher.
Sub Tom Shiel moved Stradbally three ahead but with 53 minutes played, Stradbally lost the ball at the back and Meredith punished them with his second goal.
Emo had chance after chance to win it but Stradbally got the final score from Lawlor instead.
Stradbally are away to table toppers Portlaoise next while Emo will host neighbours Courwood.
SCORERS – Stradbally: Benny Lawlor 1-6 (0-2 frees, one two-point free), Eoin Buggie 1-0, Jody Dillon and Cillian Maher 0-2 each, Tom Shiel 0-1 Emo: Ross Meredith 2-4 (0-1 free, one two-point free), Paul Lawlor, Niall Gorman (one 45) and Colm Poole 0-2 each
STRADBALLY: Darren Maher; Conor McDonald, Ben Dillon, Liam Clancy; James Devoy, Garry Comerford, Cathal Buggie; Eoin Buggie, Jack Deegan; Conor Buggie, Fionn McEvoy-Mullally, Damien Murphy; Cillian Maher, Jody Dillon, Benny Lawlor. Subs: David Donohue for Devoy (40), Tom Shiel for Dillon (50)
EMO: Eoin Butler; Eoin Montague, James O’Rourke, Stephen Norton; Cian Langford, Brian Gorman, Jamie O’Connor; Niall Gorman, Liam Crowley; Jack Murphy, Ruairi Bourke, Charlie Hand; Paul Lawlor, Colm Poole, Ross Meredith. Subs: Monty Balfe for Hand (20), Finbarr Crowley for Murphy (40)
REFEREE: Seamus Mulhare (The Heath)
SEE ALSO – Stradbally Community Choir all set to perform at Greenfields Music Festival in Athy
