Munster Express Online

Bonmahon beat a fancied Portlaw side by six points to claim the East Waterford Intermediate Football title on Saturday afternoon last.
A pair of second half goals from man of the match Shane Dwan proved the difference between the sides. Bonmahon showed greater cohesion and teamwork throughout this game but it was their efficiency in front of goals and their bravery to go for the major scores that eventually won the day.
The men from the Copper coast were quick out of the blocks and had three points on the board from Shane Dwan (2) and Niall Queally before Paul Power finally opened Portlaw’s account in the 10th minute with a point from a free.
Bonmahon had Owen Fitzgerald sweeping in front of his full-back making it difficult for Portlaw to feed their ace marksman Paul Power.
Once in possession, Bonmahon moved the ball at pace and attacked in numbers while also funnelling back to provide a defensive screen as the need arose.
Conal Queally popped up to register an opportunist point for Bonmahon in the 18th minute to put his side firmly in the driving seat, leading by 0-4 to 0-1.
Darren Long replied with a point from play moments later while centre-back for the Tannery Town Frank Galvin rallied his troops with a fine solo effort to reduce the margin to the minimum.
With half-time approaching, the accurate Paul Power levelled the game with a point from a 45 after Richie Fitzpatrick’s initial goal bound effort was deflected past the post.
Míchéal Harney got Bonmahon off the perfect start on resumption with a point from play from 30-plus metres.
In the 34th minute a cross-field delivery from Richie Walsh broke around the Portlaw square and Shane Dwan reacted quickest to fist the ball to the net and put Bonmahon 1-5 to 0-4 ahead.
Niall Queally with his second point from half-back and Ciaran Buckley from an acute angle swelled this lead to six points (1-7 to 0-4) by the end of the third quarter.
Points from Michel Donnelly and Paul Power gave the blue and gold clad Portlaw side some hope reducing their arrears to four points, with eight minutes to play.
However the mini-revival was short lived as a second Shane Dwan goal in the 54th minute critical damaged the challenge of the reigning champions Portlaw.
With John Fenton and Míchéal Harney providing a tough rear-guard defence Portlaw rarely threatened to garner the goals that they needed to salvage something from this game.
Substitute DJ Foran and Darren Rockett did hit late points for Portlaw but fittingly it was star man Shane Dwan who had the last score of the day, an excellent point in injury-time to send the Bonmahon faithful into wild celebration.
Shane Dwan, as top scorer, was a worthy winner of the man of the match accolade while Míchéal Harney was once again outstanding at centre-field, attacking with menace while defending tigerishly when required.
John Fenton, Niall Queally, Ciaran Hearne and Richie Walsh all excelled in a great all round team effort.
Portlaw failed to get their talisman Paul Power and Michael Donnelly on the ball sufficiently and were stifled by their highly motivated opponents. Frank Galvin was outstanding at centre-back while Darren Long and Eoin Galvin both had some good moments.

Bonmahon: Brendan Murphy; Owen Fitzgerald, John Fenton, Kieran Roche; Niall Queally, John Roche, Fionn Buckley; Patrick Queally, Míchéal Harney; Richie Walsh, Ciaran Buckley, Ciaran Hearne; Dylan Power, Shane Dwan, Conal Queally.

Substitute: Jeff Halley for Dylan Power (55 mins).

Scorers: Shane Dwan (2-3), Niall Queally (0-2), Conal Queally, Míchéal Harney and Ciaran Buckley (0-1 each).

Portlaw: Christopher Mackey; Blake O’Connor, Paul Shankey, James Rooney; Darren Rockett, Frank Galvin, Gary Morahan; Darren Long, Eoin Galvin; Shane Power, John Hartley, Michael Donnelly; Ritchie Fitzpatrick, Paul Power, Mark Morahan.

Substitutes: Niall Fitzgerald for Eoin Galvin (35 mins), Noel Mackey for Gary Morahan and Denis Fitzpatrick for Richie Fitzpatrick (both 47), DJ Foran for Mark Morahan (52) and David Kearns for Frank Galvin (55).

Scorers: Paul Power (0-3; 0-2f, 0-2 45′), Darren Long, Frank Galvin, Michael Donnelly, DJ Foran and Darren Rockett (0-1 each).

Referee: Desmond O’Leary.