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John Bohane | Southern Star | Thursday 4 September 2008

Early goals set Rossas up By John Bohane Saturday September 6th, 2008

Conor Long, O’Donovan Rossa, centre, battles for possession of the sliotar with two Dohenys players, Keith Sheehan, left, and Jerry McCarthy, right, during the SW junior A hurling championship semi-final clash at Ardfield on Tuesday evening. (Photo: Con Tringle)

O’Donovan

Rossa......................................3-12

Dohenys................................. 0-9



O’Donovan Rossa comprehensively defeated Dohenys after an entertaining junior A hurling semi-final clash played in Ardfield last Tuesday evening to secure their first appearance in the South West junior A hurling final since 1956.

This Skibb win was built on two opportunist Rob Long goals within the opening ten minutes from which a lethargic Dohenys team never looked like recovering from, a watertight defence to keep a lively Dohenys attacking unit at bay with in particular right half back Michael Dan O’Donovan giving a virtuoso performance and an exhibition of quality free taking by goalkeeper Alan Foley to inspire Skibb to a decisive victory.

Skibb who held a six point lead entering the final quarter used all their experience and tactical nous to repel a gallant Dohenys comeback in the closing stages. However one slight worry remains for this Skibb outfit, their constant over-reliance on Alan Foley, Kevin Cotter and Rob Long for their scores. In the final Skibb will need all their players to stand up on the night to take the pressure off this influential trio and chip in with a few scores themselves.

Dohenys will ruefully reflect on a poor start with the concession of two early goals and the lack of a target man in their attack huge contributing factors to their defeat. The Dohenys tactic of continually playing in high ball to their small two man full forward line of Jerry McCarthy and Stephen Collins was baffling as it was gratefully devoured by a physically powerful Skibb defence. Dohenys can take solace from the fact they are a young up and coming team with several good players in their midst, who will benefit in the long term from this chastening defeat to regroup and mount a strong and sustained bid for the Flyer Nyhan Cup in the forthcoming seasons.

Skibb started the game in breathtaking fashion scoring their first goal within the opening minute. A high dropping free kick from Alan Foley was met by a delicate flick of the hurl by ace predator Rob Long to give Skibb a dream start. Jerry McCarthy and Alan Foley traded points for their respective teams from frees before Kevin Cotter struck his first point from a close range free.

Rob Long grabbed his second goal of the game in the tenth minute after receiving a pinpoint Stevie Cotter delivery, Long held off two defenders before neatly placing the sliotar into the bottom right hand corner of the net past the outstretched reach of David Crowley.

Alan Foley unerring from placed balls throughout the game increased the Skibb lead to eight points from a long range free as Dohenys struggled to establish any fluidity or rhythm to their game. Dohenys responded by bringing Patrick McCarthy and Alan Sheehan to midfield in a bid to stem the Skibb dominance at centre field where Shane Keohane and Flor Crowley combined well.

The move reaped instant dividends with Dohenys on the front foot in the second quarter but their good approach play was often let down by a lack of composure in front of goal and a compact Skibb rearguard. Jerry McCarthy who always posed a threat at full forward with his speed converted four frees in quick succession to reduce the arrears to four points after 25 minutes before Kevin Cotter reinstated Rossa’s five point lead at the small interval converting a placed ball.

Skibb started the second half with renewed vigour and application scoring two points in the opening four minutes. Kevin Cotter struck a fine long range point on the turn despite being under considerable pressure from Mickey Farr before Alan Foley pointed from a placed ball. Skibb were rampant at this stage with Kevin Cotter unlucky to see his piledriver of a shot cannon off the underside of the crossbar and a Stevie Cotter flick which trickled agonisingly wide of the goal.

Alan Sheehan plying his trade as a third midfielder showed his rich promise with two long range points to raise hopes of a Dohenys revival but these hopes were allayed with three successive points from Skibb. Alan Foley with two frees and Kevin Cotter struck points after good approach work by Cathal Keohane and Donagh Long extended the Skibb lead to eight points with seven minutes remaining.

Dohenys fought courageously in the closing stages but they lacked the craft or guile to penetrate a resolute Skibb defence. Jerry McCarthy reduced the deficit pointing two frees, however Skibb finished the stronger outfit scoring 1-3 in a five minute scoring blitz to cement their participation in the final. Alan Foley (two frees) and Flor Crowley added points before Kevin Cotter finished off a free flowing move with a sweet finish to the back of the net to secure an emphatic victory for a Skibb team keen to emulate the exploits of the last Rossa team to lift the Flyer Nyhan Cup, the famous three in row heroes who captured three successive championships in 1931, 1932 and 1933.

Scorers – Kevin Cotter 1-4, 0-2 frees, Alan Foley 0-7 frees, Rob Long 2-0, Flor Crowley 0-1. Dohenys: Jerry McCarthy 0-7 frees, Alan Sheehan 0-2.

O’Donovan Rossa: Alan Foley, Conor Long, Shane Crowley snr, Colm Keohane, Michael Dan O’Donovan, Diarmuid Shanahan, Shane Crowley jnr, Flor Crowley, Shane Keohane, Stevie Cotter, Kevin Cotter, Cathal Keohane, Donagh Long, Rob Long, Kevin Crowley. Sub used: Billy Long for Stevie Cotter.

Dohenys: David Crowley, Tom Collins, Clement Deane, Fachtna McCarthy, Finbarr Cronin, Mickey Farr, Killian Crowley, Conor Collins, Keith Sheehan, Denis Cronin, Patrick McCarthy, Pat Collins, Stephen Collins, Jerry McCarthy, Alan Sheehan. Sub used: Paul O’Laughlin for Denis Cronin.

Referee: Michael Collins, Clonakilty.

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