Carnew Emmets
1 June, 2003
Bray Emmets 0 - 9 Carnew Emmets 0 - 3
In his famous speech from the dock on the eve of his execution Robert Emmet said;
"I have but one request to ask at my departure from this world - it is the charity of its silence. Let no man write my epitaph. No man can write my epitaph, for as no man who knows my motives and character dares now to vindicate them, let not prejudice or ignorance asperse them. Let them rest in obscurity and peace until other times and other men can do justice to them. When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then shall my character be vindicated, then may my epitaph be written".
I will not try to argue that Ireland has taken her place among the nations of the world (yet) or, indeed, that it is time for Robert Emmet's epitaph to be penned. What I will say, however, is that the legacy of Emmet lives on. Emmetsburg, Indiana, U.S.A is testament to this as is the abundance of G.A.A clubs who have annexed the patriot's name to their club (Killoe Young Emmets and Slaughtneil Emmets for example).
How fitting it was, therefore, that Bray Emmets and Carnew Emmets played in the first round of the Wicklow Senior Football Championship on the 200th anniversary of Emmet's death not far from the place where the young Robert Emmet spent many days pining for his young love, Sarah Curran.
On their recent league form the seasiders entered this match as favourites. However, Carnew are widely regarded as a useful championship team given their vast experience in both codes. The teams have not played each other for a number of years so it was difficult for the punters to establish the form. The game itself turned out to be a low scoring affair with both sets of defenders imposing their will on the game.
The seasiders won the toss and elected to play with the slight breeze. As is often the case in the opening round of the championship both teams took their time in settling into the game and a number of wides were kicked before the Bray forwards found their range and scored a couple of valuable points. Carnew came very close to scoring a goal but this was averted thanks to a goal line clearance by Dara O'hAnnaidh. It was to be another ten minutes before Carnew opened their account to reduce the margin to two points. It was the Bray men who were the happier at half time leading by 5 points to 2. John O'Keeffe, Conor Flannery and Breandan O'hAnnaidh getting the scores for Bray.
The opening period of the second half would be crucial to the outcome of the game and again it was Bray Emmets who got the important scores - Dara O'hAnnaidh scoring a particularly crucial point with the outside of his boot. Throughout this time the Bray defence remained fully in control and Carnew only managed one score from a free kick in the second half.
The result was beyond doubt in the closing minutes and Carnew were happy to concede that, on this occasion, Bray were worthy winners. John O'Keeffe, Brian O'Keeffe, Dara O'hAnnaidh, Tony Denver and Ronan O'Brien were the stand-out players for Bray.
Bray Emmets:
Paul O'Keeffe, Ronan O'Brien, Oisin O'hAnnaidh, Tony Denver, Ken Lambe(Alan Corr), Dara O'hAnnaidh, Dara Gaskin, Ray Lambe, Brian O'Keeffe, Gavin Cahill, John O'Keeffe, Conor Flannery(Rory McGarry), Patrick Moynihan, Breandan O'hAnnaidh, Liam Óg McGraynor.
Scorers:
John O'Keeffe (0-3), Breandan O'hAnnaidh (0-2), Conor Flannery(0-2), Gavin Cahill, Dara O'hAnnaidh (0-1 each)
