Tramore 2-6; Kilmacthomas 0-11

■□■ View Photos

The old expression of “goals win games” never rang truer than in the Eastern Under 21 ‘B’ Football final between Tramore and Kilmacthomas played in Kill last Monday.

This match also proved that football can be such a cruel game as having led for most of the match, Kilmacthomas were denied victory by a goal with the last kick of the game from outstanding Tramore centre-back, Dan Goggin.

Tramore were dealt a serious blow before the start of the game when captain, Conor Whelan was injured in the warm-up.

For long periods in this game, Kilmacthomas looked the most likely winners as the Tramore defenders struggled to hold the lively Kilmacthomas forward line. Players such as Bobby Power and Niall Cronin were able to beat their men and grab important points for the mid-county men.

On occasions when they didn’t score, they forced Tramore into giving away frees from which the unflappable Eoin Walsh was well able to raise white flags.

This was largely the pattern of the first half, with Kilmacthomas always finding it easier to score but Tramore were able to stay in touch, largely due to a stunning performance from Dan Goggin, who kept his team in the game on many occasions.

At half-time, the sides were level on a scoreline of Kilmacthomas 0-5, Tramore 1-2. The Tramore goal came from corner forward Dayne Ormonde. The same player also added a couple of points.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first as Kilmacthomas took the lead through frees from Eoin Walsh. Other players to get on the scoreboard for Kilmacthomas were Bobby Power and Patrick Lynn, while Tramore were hugely reliant on soccer star Dayne Ormonde to grab their scores.

With time almost up and Kilmacthomas apparently on their way to a two point victory, Dan Goggin took over. Gaining possession 50 yards form goal, he went past four Kilmacthomas defenders before firing an unstoppable shot past Peter Morrissey in the Kilmacthomas goal. Seconds later the final whistle sounded with the spoils going to Tramore on a scoreline of 2-6 to 0-11.

Tramore owed their victory to the contribution of two players in particular. Dan Goggin and Dayne Ormonde scored 2-5 between them with corner forward Ormonde helping himself to 1-4.

One would have to feel very sorry for a brave Kilmacthomas side that deserved at least a second bite of the cherry from this encounter. On the day, their star players were Steven Lynn, Bobby Power and Eoin Walsh who was exceptional from placed balls.

Tramore now go on to the County Final where they will play the winners of the western clash between St Olivers and Kilrossanty. 

Tramore: A Power, A Hayes, B Murray, M Gallagher, D O’Meara, D Goggin, C Wilmott, E Lonergan, K Kearney, D Nugent, C Duffy, D Hayes, D McKenna, E Dunphy, D Ormonde. Subs: B Walsh for D O’Meara, D King for D Nugent, D Connolly for E Dunphy.

Scorers: D Ormonde 1-4, D Goggin 1-1, B Walsh 0-1

Kilmacthomas: P Morrissey, T Curran, C Aylward, K Lynn, S Sutton, P Mulherne, J Joy, S Lynn, J Power, B Power, E Walsh, P Lynn, M Power, N Cronin, K Dee. Subs: D Hallahan for M Power, D Power for N Cronin, J Hurton for K Dee.

Scorers: E Walsh 0-7, B Power 0-2, P Lynn 0-1, N Cronin 0-1.