2007

Maryland/Tang 3-9 Athlone 0-9

Maryland/Tang captured Division Two League Honours against Athlone played in Pairc Chairan under nights on Friday night last. Maryland/Tang, playing with whatever breeze advantage started brightly with Maryland/Tang’s fullforward Kieran Egan setting up inrushing midfielder Kenny Kincaid for an excellent opening pt. However Athlone soon replied with a pt. However Aidan Burke kicked a superb long range free for Maryland/Tang to lead again and mins later Calum McCormack kicked a lovely pt. The match was even Stephan and Athlone replied once again. Maryland/Tang now had a dominant spell with Aidan Burke awarded a penalty after been dragged down bearing down on goal. Kieran Martin made no mistake from the resultant kick and this stretched their lead to four pts. Athlone’s tactic of playing John Egan in a roving role backfired badly when his marker, wing back played a neat one two and crashed a thunderous shot to the roof of the Athlone net. Kieran Martin added a pt but Athlone pulled a pt before the break to leave it 2-4 to 0-4 at half time.

Athlone came out in the second half all guns blazing and shortly had reduced the lead to four pts but Maryland/Tang weathered the storm and pts from Calum McCormack and Kieran Martin settled the ship. Then , probably the movement of the match saw Conor Egan break up an attack in the half back line and some marvelous inter play through Sean Egan, Kieran Martin, Kieran Egan and Aidan Burke who found the unmarked Calum McCormack in front of goal who coolly sled the ball under the helpless Athlone keeper for a superb score. Further pts from Kieran Martin, Kieran Egan and Aidan Burke closed out the game.

Maryland/Tang had many good performances on the night with Goalie Martin Donoghue solid throughout. The full back were superb all through with the ever reliable Darren Malynn in one corner and in the other Chris Connor was in majestic form while Kieran Duncan ably dealt with anything in the full back berth. The half back line of Capt Conor Egan and centre back Ronan Farrell was very solid breaking up umpteen attacks. Dean Reddin on the other wing covered every blade of grass in Pairc Chairan and will remember his goal for many a day. Sean Egan was in terrific form, fielding many a ball even against bigger opposition with Kenny Kincaid always in support. Up front Aidan Burke and Kieran Martin led the charge while on the inside line Kieran Egan and Calum McCormack were always a handful with Liam Reilly and Christy Grimes always in support. This was an excellent performance despite not playing together for weeks and this youthful team (only three missing next year) worked and played for each other throughout.

The strength of the panel came through with Trevor Farrell (we wish a speedy recovery) and Joe Reilly missing and the subs played superb. So congratulations and well done to everyone and also to mentors Declan Egan and Ken Egan. A fitting end to a fruitful year.

Back row L/F Joe Connor, Kieran Martin, Darren Malynn, Aidan Burke, Kieran Duncan, Dean Reddin, Chris Connor, Liam Reilly, Kenny Kincaid, Christy Grimes, Martin Donoghue. Font row L/R Trevor English, Sean Egan, Calum McCormack, Conor Egan(Capt), Kieran Egan, Ronan Farrell,