Sylvester's self-destruct

IT WASN'T pretty stuff. If the GAA was offered a video of yesterday's Leinster club football championship final at Newbridge to use as a pro emotional tool, the temptation would be to dump it in the nearest dustbin.

Carlow kingpins Eire Og huffed and puffed their way to a fourth provincial title in five years, assisted in no small way - it must be said - by the indiscipline of St Sylvester's who had two players dismissed and also conceded a late penalty (just as it appeared they would manfully defy all the odds) to effectively sign their own death warrant.

Yes, strange game. And, certainly, Eire Og, the most experienced club side of the '90s, but yet to savour the ultimate reward of All-Ireland success, were required to call on the resources built up in previous campaigns to eventually overpower the Malahide men.

Much of the damage to Sylvester's cause was self-inflicted Declan Barnes, arguably their most forward of the opening exchanges was sent off by referee John Bannon in the 22nd minute for striking Eire Og captain Brendan Hayden in an off-the-ball incident and defender David Ryan made the along walk in the 40th minute after being booked for a second time.

Eire Og did what they had to do using their teamwork and numerical advantage, along with some fine finishing from the Hayden brothers, Joe and Colm, to retain their provincial title.

A rather bizarre opening 10 minutes which failed to produce a single score but did provide the 6,000 spectators with the sort of wides, from both sides, that would leave even a 10-year-old novice - red-faced - gave way to a physical, fragmented encounter. The game's opening score was a long time coming. Shay Keogh's first-time shot was parried over the bar by Eire Og, goalkeeper John Kearns in the 10th-minute. Colm Hayden equalised almost immediately, and thee Sylvester's corner-back Derek Roche then sallied forth to receive a pass from Keogh to kick the Malahide side ahead in the 13th minute for the second (and last) time. Again, Eire Og levelled matters almost immediately, this time with a point from Joe Hayden.

Keating and Colm Hayden had edged Eire Og ahead when referee Bannon dismissed Barnes and ominously, Joe Hayden and GarvanWare added further points to leave the Carlow men ahead 0-6 to 0-2 at half-time.

In fairness, Sylvester's, with the aid of the wind in the second half, did not fold, although their cause suffered immeasurable damage with some wanton wides on the restart, from Keogh, Glen O'Neill and Timmy Cummins. Cummins finally ended the drought with a pointed free in the 35th minute, but another, three wides were added before Ryan's dismissal reduced Sylvester's to 13 men.

Ironically, Sylvester's produced their best football over the next 10 minutes. Keogh, who had struggled with his shooting, suddenly discovered his best form and swung over three fine points (the third after receiving a pass from Keith Galvin, who worked tirelessly all over the field) to, amazingly, leave the sides level at 0-6 apiece.

While a point from a close-in Keating free enabled Eire Og to regain the lead, the real turning, point arrived a minute later, in the 51st minute. Eire Og full-back. Darren Moore charged into the Sylvester's area and was pulled" down by the hard-working Declan Hetherton. Penalty. Garvan Ware blasted the ball unceremoniously to the back of the net.