Lancashire overcame a spirited Hertfordshire challenge by 5 points in Pairc na hEireann on Sunday in the first round of the British Junior Championship. A good and sporting game was settled by goals from Kevin Lanigan and Colm Conway, one in either half, although Herts, who hit the post or crossbar 4 times, will feel unlucky not to have caused an upset.
Caolan Conroy opened the scoring for Lancashire in the 4th minute but Herts quickly responded with a point from Captain Mark Ryan. Lancashire dominated at midfield in the early stages and this provided the platform for a purple patch in which they hit 1-2 without reply in ten minutes, the goal scored by impressive midfielder Kevin Lanigan and the points from Conroy and roaming wing back Martin Carey. They also had a goal disallowed on the 10th minute for a square ball from a set piece. Hertfordshire nerves were settled on the 15th minute with a point from Mark Ryan and the same man was unlucky not to goal moments later as he seen 3 shots rebound off either post in the space of 10 seconds. Minutes later Ryan again was close to goal after a fine pass from Stephen Lavery left him one and one with Lancs goalie Declan Alter, who pulled out a fine save to deny the Oxford man. Lancashire responded to this fright well and outscored Herts 3 points (Jacob, Lanigan & Conway) to 1 (Cormac Healy) before the half time whistle to leave the score at 1-05 to 0- 03.
The second half was again opened with a fine point from Caolan Conroy, but Herts, who had started to get a grip at midfield, couldn’t respond and kicked three wide’s in a row. However, the six point gap was halved on the 37th minute when JP Doyle blasted a speculative pass from Piers McGlynn to the back of the Lancs net. The northerners responded immediately with a net buster from corner forward Colm Conway to restore the gap to 6. They were awarded a penalty soon after and full forward Liam Coyne opted to take the point to open a 7 point gap. Hertfordshire responded well with points from impressive full forward Cormac Healy and marauding wing forward Eoin Mageean. Healy hit the crossbar on the 45th minute after a dangerous diagonal pass from midfielder Richard McKenzie and this served as a wakeup call for Lancashire who scored the next two points from the boots of Murtagh and the superlative Caolan Conroy to restore the lead to 7 points. Herts outscored Lancs 3 points to 1 in the final ten minutes with points from Mageean, Healy and Seamus Hayes against a screecher from Greg Jacob. They couldn’t close the gap further though and will rue the width of the Pairc na hEireann goalposts. Final Score: Hertfordshire 1-08, Lancashire 2- 10.
Hertfordshire:
1. Kevin Morrissey, 2. Michael Nevin, 3. James McKenzie, 4. Eoin Toomey, 5. Stevie Doran, 6. Seamus Hayes (0-1), 7. Brendan O’ Leary, 8. Richard McKenzie, 9. Andy Kelly, 10. JP Doyle (1-0), 11. Steven Lavery, 12. Mark Ryan (0-2), 13. Eoin Mageean (0-2), 14. Cormac Healy (0-3), 15. Piers McGlynn. Subs: Tommy Gaughan for Eoin Toomey, Tommy Griffin.
Lancashire:
1. Declan Adler, 2. Eoghan Kerr, 3. Michael Gallagher, 4. John O’ Hagan, 5. Martin Carey (0-1), 6. Gary Morris, 7. Ronan Gallagher, 8. Dennis O’ Neill, 9. Kevin Lanigan (1-1), 10. Rory O’ Donoghue, 11. Greg Jacob (0-2), 12 Aaron Murtagh (0-1), 13. Caolan Conroy (0-3), 14. Liam Coyne (0-1), 15. Colm Conway (1-1).
