A game hardly worth reporting on, but nevertheless, one which had to be played to complete the Kiernan Cup formalities for a weakened and very much below strength Mullinabreena side. Mullinabreena 2-3, Enniscrone 2-19 was how a very one-sided scoreline looked at the end of this game, played in glorious sunshine in Nace o Dowd park.
The starting fifteen showed wholesale changes from previous teams, which took the field this year. This was due to the unavailability of a number of key players. The team started as: Pat Collum, Anthony McGowan, David Hosey, Michael Marren, Peadar Toolan, Thomas Toolan, John o Hara, Padraig McHugh, Sean Gormalley, Ollie Lee, Michael Hosey, Francis Brennan, Michael Gormalley, Ronan Tansey, Brian McDermott. James Gormalley later replaced Pat Collum in goal, who moved up to the half forward line.
Enniscrone started the stronger and kicked a number of points as well as an early goal, to set them on their way. But Mullinabreena themselves replied with a well-struck goal, from Thomas Toolan, and a “45” from the boot of Ronan Tansey. But the sea-siders again stretched their advantage with another goal and a brace of points. A good point from play from Ollie Lee, was closely followed by a goal from left half forward, Francis Brennan, to leave the half time score, 2-2, to, 2-7, in favour of the visiting side.
The latter then took complete control in the second half and kicked a further 12 points. Mullinabreena could only manage one more point, from Francis Brennan, in that half. Thus, Enniscrone ran out easy winners, despite a brave effort by Mullinabreena’s under strength and inexperienced side.
Match report by Francis Brennan