On Sunday morning Annacurra lined out against bitter rival Ballymanus. Annacurra were seen as favourites for this game but seen as it was a local derby the stakes were even greater for both. Conditions were great for football as the sun shone down on the Aughrim pitch.

The match was very stop and start as both teams went into challenge and it was ‘The Billies’ who suffered the most as 2 key players were substituted for them both inside the first 15 minutes. As the game settled down, Annacurra took the initiative and tagged on scores to pull away from ‘The Billies” who were playing with a stiff breeze in their backs and take a healthy lead into the break.

The 2nd half started with both teams exchanging scores before a high ball sent in by Paddy Moules was knocked down by Clive Horan  into Frank Clunes path who made no mistake in placing the ball into the corner of the Ballymanus net.

This score rattled ‘The Billies’ and both teams lost their shape as Ballymanus threw everyone forward seeking for goals to claw their way back into the game.

In the end Annacurra ran out easy winners but their in still much improvement needed for upcoming games.

The team lined out as follows: Michael Doyle, Shane MacAllister, Ciaran ‘Pound’ Byrne, Liam Moules, Darren Thompson, Michael O’Brien, Paul McDonald, Peter Clancy, Pierce O’Brien, Alan Byrne, John Thompson, William Codd, Patrick Moules, Frank Clune, Clive Horan. Subs Used: Ian McDonald, Michael Healy.

Annacurra are through to the 1/4 finals of the 125 Centenary Competition after an impressive win over An Tochar last night in Annacurra. With an All-Ireland senior winner in Mike Hassett playing at full back for the Roundwood men, Annacurra’s forwards created havoc throughout the game and thuroughly deserved their win.

An even start saw the two teams trade scores up until it was three points a piece when Annacurra pulled away. 6 unanswered points up until the half time break saw Annacurra open a handsome lead. Pierce O’Brien and John Thompson were dominating midfield and the half forwards and backs cleaned up many of the breaks that these two knocked down. The full back line were also in good shape for the first half as Ciaran Byrne was aided by his corner backs in extinguishing every An Tochar attack. Stephen Doyle who was covering in goal for his relation Michael made 3 crucial saves over the duration of the game.

The second half saw Annacurra pick up where they left off. The home team stretched their 6 point lead to a 10 point lead at 14 points to 4. Clive Horan was brought on as a sub and during this time the sharpshooter made a welcome return to play with a fine point. An Tochar pushed until the final whistle to reduce the deficit and their efforts were rewarded when they sneaked a goal after the hard efforts of Stephen Doyle and his defence to keep them out. With 5 points between the teams a solo effort by the An Tochar centre forward seen the referee bring the game to an end with Annacurra running out winners 14 points to 1-7.

Team- S.Doyle, Martin O’Brien, C.Byrne, S.MacAllister, S.O’Neill, Michael O’Brien, D.Thompson, P.O’Brien, J.Thompson, William Codd, A.Horan, M.Healy, P.Moules, F.Clune, S.O’Keefe.

Subs- Mark O’Neill, Clive Horan, Colm Maher, Tom Doyle

Baltinglass showed why many have tipped them to regain their County Senior crown this year with an impressive win over Annacurra. Annacurra were missing many key players with John Thompson, Ciaran Byrne, Clive Horan and Mark O’Neill all out and Alan Byrne still tied to the County footballers. Baltinglass fielded a very experienced team with the majority of the team having played County football at a certain level. Annacurra also welcomed back Shane O’Keefe and Ian McDonald ffrom minor duty with Wicklow.

Baltinglass were on the attack from the very start and had 2 points to their name before Annacurra registered their first score from a Frank clune free after Martin O’Brien was fouled 20 yards out. Conor foley and Frank Clune traded scores for both teams as the first half got off to a slow start. However the remaining 15 minutes saw another free kicked over from Frank and a good Patrick Moules score from play, but Baltinglass scored 4 points and a fortunate goal. A nice move up the wing saw J.P Kelly play a ball across the Annacurra goal. Liam Moules slid and intercepted the ball but it seemed to get stuck in the muck around the Annacurra goal allowing Henry Sinnott to drive home. The half time score read Baltinglass 1-7 Annacurra 0-4.

Baltinglass started the second half the way they finished the first with Ciaran Foley, Peader Burke and Conor Foley all scoring early points. Another free from Frank Clune put a temporary stop to the Baltinglass onslaught. Frees from J.P Kelly and Conor Foley(2) extended the Baltinglass lead before Frank scored his 5th point of the day from the dead ball. After a period of deadlock, the Baltinglass full forward was deemed to have been fouled in the square and a penalty was awarded to the home team. This was excellently put away by Anthony Nolan right into the top corner. Pierce O’Brien finished the scoring for Annacurra with a fine point after a lovely run by Frank Clune. This was followed by a lovely point by the impressive Conor Foley who kicked points of either foot during the game. Baltinglass finished the game with a third goal after a move up the pitch. Annacurra can take positives from today’s game as playing opposition like this can only make the players better.

M.Doyle, L.Moules, P.McDonald, S.McAllister, D.Thompson, P.O’Brien (0-1), S.O’Neill, A.Horan, Mick O’Brien, M.Healy, William Codd, P.Moules (0-1), S.O’Keefe, F.Clune (0-5(5f)), Martin O’Brien

subs: I.McDonald for M.Healy, C.Shannon for D.Thompson, Warren Codd for Mick O’Brien, E.Clune for S.O’Keefe, C.Maher for MartinO’Brien