Emmets hold out against Avondale
BRAY EMMETS held out for a narrow win over Avondale in the replay of their Junior C hurling championship game at Ashford on Thursday night. Avondale had a chance of putting this replay to extra-time when they were awarded a 20 metre free in injury-time. Clive Heffernan blasted to the net for what would have been the equaliser, but the referee cancelled the score and ordered that the free be retaken because he had not given the signal for the shot as he was tied up recording an Avondale substitution at the same time.
The second attempt by Heffernan was stopped by the Bray defence and, try as they did in the time remaining, Avondale just could not subsequently breach the Bray lines for the equalising goal they craved.
Referee Eddie Leonard, Wicklow, sent off four players - two from each team - but in no way was that confirmation that this was a dirty game. Three of the sendingsoff were straight red cards, two of the dismissals occurring in the first five minutes.
Mikey Browne, a former Senior player with Bray, lined out in this replay and played a big part in their ultimate victory. Browne set Bray on the road with 1-1 in the early play and the northern seasiders never looked back after that, leading 2-2 to 0-1 after ten minutes, the second goal scored by Colm O'Keeffe.
Mickey Browne and Pat Lee were both making a welcome return to action with Bray after a two-year sabbatical and they showed that they have not lost their touch as skilful hurlers.
Avondale rallied in the second quarter; but shot an unacceptable ten wides which proved to be their undoing in the end. However, we had points by David Heffernan (65) and Clive Heffernan, with a brace, and they trailed their opponents by 0-3 to 2-2 at half-time.
Avondale again came with a burst after the restart which brought further points from Paul Driver and Martin Busher, but Bray's two-goal margin was restored by Brian McConnell and Colm Browne.
Second-half substitute Christian Nolan scored the last two points for Avondale but they were countered by Patrick Lee and Mickey Browne, who landed the best score of the match, a point from 60 metres.
Entering the last eight minutes the game was thrown back into the melting pot; Avondale refused to throw in the towel; Wesley O'Toole pumped a long ball into the Bray goal area and Clive Heffernan got a flick on it to send the sliothar over the line.
The margin between the teams was down to a goal, 1-7 to 2-7. The two teams were down to 13 men each as two more players got their marching orders from the referee.
And the drama continued into injury-time and Avondale were awarded a free on the 20 metre line. At the same time Avondale sought to make a substitution. As Eddie Leonard was recording the name of the substitute, Clive Heffernan took the free without referee clearance and blasted his shot to the net. Play was called back and Heffernan had to retake the free. This time his shot was blocked and Avondale's chance of extra-time was gone.
Bray Emmets scorers: Mikey Browne (1-3), Colm O'Keeffe (1-0), Pat Lee (0-2), Brian McConnell (0-1), Colm Browne (0-1).
Avondale scorers: Clive Heffernan (1-2), Martin Busher (0-1), Christian Nolan (0-2), David Heffernan (0-1), Paul Driver (0-1).
- MARK KENNEDY
