Barry and Finlay to the fore as O’Dempsey’s see off Emo in style

O’Dempsey’s 2-18 Emo 0-14
Laois SFC Round 1

O’Dempsey’s are comfortably into Round 2 of the Laois SFC following an impressive win over neighbours Emo in O’Moore Park this evening.

Mark Barry was in top form for the winners and kicked a selection of fine points as well as a brilliant second-half goal that put the game well beyond Emo’s reach.

His long-time partner in crime up front, Matthew Finlay, was also excellent, particularly in the opening half as he landed some lovely points from play as well as laying on a goal from Shane Nerney, who lined out in the unusual position of wing-forward and was given the job of tracking Emo’s main running threat Padraig Kirwan.

The first half was a great game of football but O’Dempsey’s got their noses in front early on and stayed ahead for most of the contest.

Nerney’s goal just on the stroke of the first water break had them 1-5 to 0-4 ahead and they were 1-10 to 0-8 up at half time. Barry and Finlay did most of the scoring with Jack Lennon and Derek Dunne also chipping on.

For Emo, Paul Lawlor and Paddy Hosey were their main scoring contributors with Nigel Murphy also kicking one, when a goal was possibly on the cards too.

And while Lawlor and Hosey’s frees kept Emo in touch for the second half, Barry’s brilliant goal after build up play from Robbie Kehoe and Peter O’Leary ultimately settled it.

O’Dempsey’s could even afford to lose Cormac O’Hora to a black card and Shane Nerney to a red (a black following on from a yellow) to have 10 points to spare at the final whistle.

SCORERS – O’Dempsey’s: Mark Barry 1-6 (0-1 free), Matthew Finlay 0-6 (two frees), Shane Nerney 1-0, Daithi Howlin 0-2, Jack Lennon 0-1, Johnny Kelly 0-1, Fionn Holland 0-1, Derek Dunne 0-1. Emo: Paul Lawlor 0-7 (all frees), Paddy Hosey 0-6 (two frees, one mark), Nigel Murphy 0-1

O’DEMPSEY’S: Podge Bannon; Fionn Holland, Cormac O’Hora, Peter O’Leary; Robbie Kehoe, Barry Kelly, Stephen Lennon; Johnny Kelly, Derek Dunne; Shane Nerney, Matthew Finlay, Jack Lennon; Mark Barry, Daithi Howlin, Ben Coen. Subs: Bryan Nugent for Dunne (39), Liam Whelehan for J Lennon (39), Tommy Kehoe for O’Leary (57)

EMO: Niall Gorman; Tommy Keegan, James O’Rourke, Tommy Fennelly; Padraig Kirwan, Shane Murphy, Liam Crowley; Darren Strong, Sean Greene; Stephen Norton, Nigel Murphy, David Gorman; Paul Lawlor, Jack Owens, Paddy Hosey. Subs: Cian Langford for Owens (HT), Brian Gorman for N Murphy (HT), Eibhin Joyce for Fennelly (45), Jack Owens for Norton (57), Nigel Murphy for D Gorman (57)

Referee: John Flynn (The Rock)

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