Senior Football Sunday 21st November 2004 Leinster Club Football Championship Semi-final, Newbridge Starlights 0-6  Skryne 1-11   Skryne hit six at finish to outshine Starlights THE final scoreline does scant justice to the gutsy efforts of a gallant Starlights side in yesterday's AIB Leinster Club senior football semi-final at Newbridge. Up until the 51st minute, the Wexford champions were in with a chance of clinching a place in the final against Portlaoise on Sunday week. With nine minutes left, Skryne, who shot all their scores from play, were hanging on to a tenuous two-point lead, 1-5 to 0-6. But in the remaining time the Meath representatives, who led 1-3 to 0-2 at half-time, stepped up the level of their game, shooting an unanswered six points to leave their superiority in no doubt. Few in the 2,000 crowd would have anticipated such a one-sided finish to the game when Starlights full-forward captain John Hudson bore down menacingly on the Skryne goal in the 46th minute. A goal at that stage would have cut the gap to a single point, but unfortunately for the Enniscorthy outfit, the star forward squandered the chance, losing control of the ball just as he was about to pass it to his brother Willie. "Willie was only about seven yards out, but the ball slipped away from me just as I was about to pass it," explained Hudson, who shot three points - two from frees - yesterday. It was a paltry return for such a normally prolific forward and he was involved in another key moment nine minutes from time. With a chance of a point on, Hudson mis-kicked the ball and and Skryne immediately swept up the field, and Jamie Jordan, who had earlier scored the game's only goal, initiated the six-point scoring burst. It was a fully deserved victory for Skryne who played the more effective and cohesive football, enjoyed a greater share of possession, and would have won much more easily but for shooting 13 wides compared to Starlight's five. As well, the Wexford side can thank their goalkeeper Jason Russell for keeping the margin down to eight points. In the 44th minute, he pulled off a brilliant save to deny Paul O'Donnell after he was set up by excellent work from Martin Mulvaney and substitute Alan Corty. For his goal in the 18th minute, Jordan lashed the ball home from 15 metres, finishing off an incisive move which began with Trevor Giles, and was carried on by player-manager Mick O'Dowd. At times, some of the Skryne forwards tended to be over-individualistic, but generally they were a more menacing and inventive unit than their Starlight counterparts, with O'Dowd, Brian Smyth and O'Donnell providing excellent back-up to Jordan, who topped the scoring list with a 1-3 haul. The Meath side also received a massive contribution from Giles and his fellow midfielder John McDermott, who had to receive medical attention early in the game after the ball struck him in the face. At the back, Skryne were uniformly solid with David Rogan, Martin Mulvaney and John Quinn particularly impressive. "Our backs played brilliantly right through, and we responded well when Starlights came to within two points of us," said O'Dowd. Mark Gahan, Tom Wall, who returned from Australia for the match, and Adrian Senlon, displayed dogged resistance in the Starlights defence, Ryan Quigley worked very hard in midfield, and up front John and Willie Hudson and Tom Mahon provided the chief threat. SCORERS - Skryne: J Jordan 1-3, P O'Donnell, B Smyth 0-2 each, T Giles, J Gibbons, K Mulvaney, K O'Connell 0-1 each. Starlights: J Hudson 0-3 (2f), T Mahon, D Ruth, Michael Donohoe 0-1 each. SKRYNE - F O'Rourke; D Rogan, D Donnelly, A Curry; M Mulvaney, J Quinn, N Hamill; T Giles, J McDermott; J Gibbons, B Smyth, P O'Donnell; K Mulvaney, M O'Dowd, J Jordan. Subs: A Corty for K Mulvaney (25), K O'Connell for Smyth (60). STARLIGHTS - J Russell; Maurice Donohoe, M Gahan, T Wall; M Quigley, A Fenlon, L Boland; O Kinlough, R Quigley; T Mahon, D Ruth, E Furlong; W Hudson, J Hudson, O O'Connor. Subs: A Russell for Furlong (44), Michael Donohoe for O'Connor (49), P Marnagh for Kinlough (57), S Deegan for W Hudson (60). REF - G McKenna (Louth). © Irish Independent   Ronan Fagan's review in the Echo   Saturday 13th November 2004 Leinster Club Football Championship, Bellefield Starlights 2-5  Rathvilly 0-7 Well we certainly can't complain about the excitement being offered by the Senior Footballers: trailing by two points going into the last two minutes and winning by four points in the end!   Similarly to the last day we started slowly, allowing the Carlowmen to build up early domination in all areas.  The only consolation was that our defence was holding relatively firmly despite Jsson Russell being called upon after only 20 seconds.  In an apparent replay of the visit of Mattock Rangers two years ago, Rathvilly seemed to have learned more from the first encounter and were hunting in packs, getting every breaking ball and just looking more like a football team than us.   They notched up a three point lead in this period of dominance but, gradually, we started putting together some passing movements. All these we managed to squander however and it looked like even John Hudson had left his boots at home.   Nevertheless these forays into the enemy's territory turned into a dominance for the second quarter and eventually Willie Hudson broke our duck with a well struck point off his left foot.  John then quickly added a free and we were back in the game.   There was certainly a sense that things could have been a lot worse when we went in at half time only a point down.  The first half had probably been around 50/50 but with the chances we missed we could have trailed by more: Rathvilly weren't scoring either.  The full back line were holding very well while the return of Adrian to centreback was reaping benefits.  Eamonn Furlong was showing well at wing forward but really nothing was happening for us front.   The first ten minutes of the second half were liberally sprinkled with frees and neither team got any momentum going.  Rathvilly had scored an early point to go two ahead and after a while they did seem to be getting a stranglehold on the game, while never looking comfortable.  Every time they scored John Hudson managed to latch on a point for us, either from play or from frees.   As the game ebbed away and with Rathvilly still holding a two point lead it became apparent that the necessary points just weren't going to come for us: we needed a goal.  Eternal credit is due to those that stood up at this time, Adrian Fenlon, Mark Quigley, Ryan Quigley and Ollie Kinlough all seemed to step up a gear and all of a sudden the breaking balls were all coming our way.  The crowd started chanting. The forwards started running for each other instead of towards each other. The ball came through a series of hands before Willie Hudson found himself in front of the goal and had his legs taken from under him.  There was no question: it was a penalty.   Up stepped John Hudson and hammered it to the net to put us into a one point lead.   The Rathvilly men went straight down to the other end of the field but once again the backs stood up to everything that was thrown at them.  Maurice Donohoe, who had started the game as a replacement for the suspended Pa Murphy, had starred throughout and continued to shine.  Mark Gahan similarly was as solid as a rock.    Once more the ball squirted out of a defensive mellee and Ryan Quigley doubled on it and landed it over the midfield where Willie Hudson, Mick Dononhoe (who had come on for Shay Deegan) and Pa Mernagh (who was on for Anto Russell) were in the perfect position to counterattack. Willie's pace took him ahead of all the defenders and with only the keeper to beat we knew he was going to score.  He didn't get the chance however as the cúlbaire came out and kreeled him.  He should have had an early shower but the referee showed restraint and only produced a yellow.   It made no odds though as John Hudson stepped up again.  Some in the crowd (myself included) had forgotten that we were only a point ahead and encouraged him to put the ball over the bar.  No such negativism for the Pearse Road man though and he despatched this kick with the same aplomb that he did the first.   The match was over and while it hadn't been the best football in the world it was certainly exciting!  Well done lads.   Team: Jason Russell; Maurice Donohoe, Mark Gahan, Ollie O'Connor; Mark Quigley, Adrian Fenlon, Liam Boland; Ollie Kinlough, Ryan Quigley; Eamonn Furlong, Shay Deegan, Anthony Russell; Tomás Mahon, John Hudson, Willie Hudson; George O'Connor, Daithi O'Brien, Paudge Walsh (for Willie Hudson), Michael Donohoe (for Shay Deegan), Damian Mahon, Pa Mernagh (for Anthony Russell), Derek Whelan, Ronan Furlong, Rory O'Connor, Brian Murphy, Damien Tobin.   Sunday 7th November 2004 Leinster Club Football Championship, Dr Cullen Park, Carlow Rathvilly 0-8  Starlights 0-8 This ended up being quite a scrappy game.  Rathvilly went into an early lead of 4 points to no score but John Hudson then began to find his range and dragged the Enniscorthymen back into it and at the break we went in one point to the good 0-6 to 0-5.   However, what little continuity there had been in the first half died off in the second and Rathvilly crept ahead by the odd score, entering the closing stages with a lead of 0-8 to 0-7.  Earlier Pa Murphy and JJ Smyth of Rathvilly had been sidelined for quarrelling off the ball.   Just after the end of normal time Mossy Mahon found John Hudson and the Pearse Road man found the target to draw level.  Starlights then continued to chase the game and once again John hit over a point but the referee blew the whistle as the ball was in the air and he did not allow the score.   There was an altercation afterwards but we have been let off the hook now and have another chance to continue our interest in the Leinster championship.     Sunday 17th October 2004 County Senior Football Final Starlights 1-10  Sarsfields 0-6 It may have been a disappointing match but it’s still great to win.  The Sarsfields are a good side as they have shown consistently throughout the championship but it just didn’t happen for them on the day: it’s just like that sometimes.  Our greater experience showed on the day and they will be back next year with this year’s know-how under their belts.   What can you say about John Hudson? It’s a pity he’s more into the football than the hurling! In any field of endeavour a scoring performance like his would be hailed and it is only right that he be acknowledged for his brilliance not only on Sunday but throughout the championship.   A game cannot be won by one man alone however and John was ably assisted throughout the field.  A penalty save for God’s sake! You don’t see too many of them and when Jason blocked it the Sarsfields heads definitely dropped.  Our backs showed what they can do and it is a pity perhaps that their excellence is seen as a negative by those neutrals who only look for spectacle.  Midfield as ever was an area of strength and the forward lines led by Skippy and John did exactly what was required of them, Skippy generously even choosing to hit one effort wide when he had passed the goalkeeper!   A word also for the management team whose tactic of using Ollie in a Brian Dooher like role certainly paid off.  Hopefully some more gems will be forthcoming over the next few months as we progress through the Leinster championship.       Saturday 9th October 2004 County semi-final replay Starlights  0-10  Gusserane  0-7 A fine, controlled display from the senior footballers earned them a place in next week's county final against the Sarsfields.  We led by 0-5 to 0-3 at half time and built on this in the second half to run out three point victors in the end. Scorers: John Hudson 0-6; Willie Hudson 0-2; Skippy 0-1; Ryan Quigley 0-1.   Saturday 25th September 2004 County semi-final Starlights  0-10  Gusserane  0-10 Either side could have come out winners in this closely fought contest. As usual our backs were sound and the midfield was strong throughout.  Little quarter was given to our front men by Gusserane however. In hindsight Gusserane probably had the better chances to win it in the end.  Nevertheless we live to fight another day!   Team: Jason Russell; Pa Murphy, Mark Gahan, Ollie O'Connor; Mark Quigley, Adrian Fenlon, Liam Boland; Declan Ruth, Ryan Quigley (0-1); Daithí O'Brien, Ollie Kinlough, Michael Donohoe; Tomás Mahon (0-2), John Hudson (capt., 0-7, 5 frees, 1 '45), Tom Wall. Subs. - Willie Hudson for Donohoe, Pa Mernagh for O'Brien.       Saturday 11th September 2004 Clongeen 0-8  Starlights 0-9 The senior footballers qualified for the county semi-final in dreadful conditions at the weekend with a one point win over Clongeen.  It was a difficult day for football with some of our ace scorers putting balls wide that they would normally convert and the torrential rain did little to help us on our way.   In fairness to all concerned they dug deep and hung on to win by the single point. We had some very strong and solid stuff from Ryan Quigley, Adrian Fenlon, and Mark Gahan - in fact all of the backs stuck to their task well and up front our forwards kept the pressure on and really could have ended up winning by 8-9 points instead of one.  The Clongeen goalkeeper did very well to deny John Hudson adding a goal to his tally of 7 points.   Well done to all concerned - we now have a County Semi Final against Gusserane to look forward to – this will probably be the weekend of 25th/26th but no definite fixture has been made yet.       Saturday 4 September 2004 Starlights 4-10  Naomh Eanna 0-3 Congrats to our Senior Footballers who notched up a comprehensive win on Saturday in Wexford Park beating Gorey 4-10 to 3 points.   A good overall performance with all team members going well - Adrian Fenlon and Declan (Skippy) Ruth kicked some very good football for us considering their focus has been hurling for most of the summer.   Ryan Quigley, Ollie O’Connor, Mark Gahan , Tom Wall and Liam Boland were solid in defence and of course we had some flashes of brilliance from ace wing forward John Hudson and from his brother Willie who notched up a staggering total of 3-8 between them - now that’s what we call keeping it in the family.   Michael Donohoe got the other goal and Skippy Ruth and Mark Quigley a point each.   Starlights - Jason Russell, Pa Murphy, Mark Gahan, Ollie O’Connor, Mark Quigley (0-1), Adrian Fenlon, Liam Boland, Ryan Quigley, Declan Ruth (0-1), Tom Wall, Ollie Kinlough, Willie Hudson (0-3), Daithi O’Brien, John Hudson (3-5, 2-0 penalty, 0-2 frees), Michael Donohoe (1-0). Subs: Dermot Whelan for Mark Gahan (inj); Eamonn Furlong for Tom Wall; Maurice Donohoe for Willie Hudson; Pa Mernagh for Michael Donohoe; Damien Mahon for John Hudson. Echo review of match     Saturday 1 May Stars 0-8  Sarsfields 2-7 Our Senior Footballers have left themselves with a mountain to climb having gone down badly to the Sarsfields on Saturday evening May 1st in Wexford Park. It was a dissappointing performance from the Starlights only managing to score 8pts to 1-10. There were good displays from Ollie O`Connor and Ryan Quigley and Adrian Fenlon in particular played with spirit and determination - in general our backs and middle of the field did well but unfortunately on the night our forwards - the strength of the team - failed to sparkle. With Castletown, Duffry Rovers, Bunclody, Horeswood and St. James also beaten over the weekend - we have it all to do to come through the losers group.   Jason Russell; Pa Murphy, Mark Gahan, Liam Boland; Adrian Fenlon, Ryan Quigley, Ollie O’Connor; Eamon Furlong, Declan Ruth; Michael Donohoe, John Hudson, Willie Hudson; Pa Mernagh, Russell, Tomas Mahon.   Saturday 24 April Stars 1-4 Castletown  3-10 A very under strength Starlights team played Castletown on Saturday evening last in Castletown. Missing players of the calibre of John Hudson/Adrian Fenlon/Tomas Mahon/Declan Ruth/Tom Wall/Anthony Russell/Padge Walsh/Maurice Donohoe and Ollie Kinlough meant that our chances of winning this one were slim and as expected we were beaten 1-4 to 3-10 with our scores coming from Willie Hudson 1-1 and Micheal Donohoe 3pts.     Senior Football V Kilanerin 9 April The Senior Footballers were well beaten by Killanerin on Friday night last- -full report to follow Senior Football - St Patrick's Day Senior Footballers had good win over Duffry at Bellefield on St Patrick's day - putting them on top of their respective League Table with a full compliment of points from their three games. A low scoring game 7pts to 5pts - with 3pts each from Michael Donohoe and Eamonn Furlong and one from Declan Ruth - Adrian Fenlon was a welcome addition and performed well considering he`s just returned from honeymoon. It was a very good result taking into account the fact that John Hudson/WillieHudson/Tomas Mahon/Anthony Russell and Shay Deegan were not available - so well done to all concerned.