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KELLY CUP - O'Dempsey's claim early-season glory

Early goals from brothers Ed and Barry Kelly and a late effort from substitute Tomas Slevin were the pivotal scores, but they were pushed all the way by a resilient Graigue side who will be hoping to make an impression on the 2010 Laois SFC.

It was actually Graigue who made the better start to the game, when Kevin Smith fired home a fantastic goal after a fine team move with five minutes on the clock. O'Dempsey's soon settled however, and two fine points from Barry Kelly followed by an expertly taken goal by the youngster had them firmly in control. Graigue did pull back a score through Ambrose Doran, but the young O'Dempsye's forward line were showing great guile and movement, and scores from third midfielder Paddy Hyland and an effort from Peter O'Leary stretched their lead to four with a quarter gone.

O'Dempsey's were dealt a stroke of luck moments later when Eddie Kelly's shot was half blocked, but proceeded to divert past Pat Scully in the Graigue goals to extend their lead. Graigue responded admirably with three fine points on the bounce from powerful centre forward Jamie Parr to eat into the deficit. O'Dempsey's did have one late chance in the half, but Pat Scully showed great reactions to tip Stephen O'Leary's goal-bound effort over the bar.

The second half was a much less free-scoring affair, but Graigue did start in similar fashion, with Mark Doogue finding the net early on from close range to cut eh O'Dempsey's lead to a solitary point. O'Dempsey's were still looking dangerous up front, and two efforts in a row from leading marksman Michael Finlay steadied the ship after the early setback. Graigue were in no humour to lie down and take a beating however, and they struck back through scores from Lee Murphy and a fine free from Jamie Parr kept them right in contention with 15 minutes remaining.

O'Dempsey's re-established a two point lead through an angled Barry Kelly free only to see Mark Doogue reduce the deficit to a single point once again with time running out. Graigue pressed hard for the equalising score in the last few minutes, but this left them exposed at the back, and Stephen O'Leary and Michael Tierney (two) gave O'Dempsey's some breathing space before substitute Tomas Slevin coolly slotted in a late goal to seal a deserved win.

Published Date: 24 March 2010
By Staff Reporter for The Leinster Express