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DOHENYS ARE MUNSTER CHAMPIONS - (Number of times read: 1144)
Friday 16 February 2007
Dohenys are Munster junior ‘B’ hurling champions as a result of this enthralling win over Kildangan from Tipperary in the Munster final played in Kileedy in Limerick on Sunday last. The written word falls far short of portraying the drama that unfolded in the second half of this game as Dohenys fought back from a near impossible position at halftime to snatch victory by the narrowest of margins in the dying seconds.
The first half gave little evidence of what was to ensue as the men from the Premier county looked to be well on their way to victory. With a strong wind to their backs they took an early grip on the game and playing a strong and skilful brand of hurling they had Dohenys in all kinds of trouble. With Niall Kelly and Conor Foley dominating the midfield area and Willie Seymour in absolute control at centreback the forwards saw plenty of the ball. Long puckouts from goalie Patrick Coen, who had a solid game throughout , frequently dropped on the Dohenys 20 metre line. Inevitably the scores began to arrive. Points from a free and a 65 from John Hayes , by far Kildangan’s best forward, was followed by a well-taken goal in the 13 minute by the same player. Dohenys found the going tough at the other end of the field against a tight-marking Defenceand their first score did not arrive until the 15th minute when Jerry Mc Carthy pointed a free. Hayes quickly cancelled this out before Dohenys had their second point from Keith Sheehan from play. Two further points from Patrick and Jerry Mc Carthy did nothing to close the gap as Kildangan added on 1-3 with the goal coming from centreback Willie Seymour from an effort from well out the field which uncharacteristically slipped past Vincent Healy in the Dohenys goal, At the short whistle Dohenys were trailing by 8 points, 2-6 to 0-4 , a margin that could have been much more but for some sterling defensive work by Fachtna Mc Carthy, cian Cahalane and especially Dennis Lyons.
Dohenys looked to have a mountain to climb in the second half, not because they were behind by 8 points, not a big lead considering the strength of the wind, but because their opponents had hurled so well in the first half .However, they were not going to let their big chance of glory slip away so easily as it had taken them so long to get to this stage. Showing tremendous drive and commitment they took the game to Kildangan from the throw-in. Their superior fitness enabled them to force the pace of the game and with Conor Collins and Keith Sheehan coming to grips at midfield and the backs as a unit pulling down the shutters they exerted huge pressure on the Kildangan backs. The result was 5 unanswered points in the third quarter, 4 fro frees from Patrick Mc Carthy and I from play from his brother Jerry which left just a puck of a ball between the sides. Their comeback was derailed, however, in the 16th minute when Kildangan snatched a goal which was completely against the run of play. Down 6 points again many a team would have wilted but not this Doheny side which displayed tremendous character. Patrick Mc Carthy again narrowed the gap with 2 points but it stilllooked as if points alone would not rescue the game. In the 20th minute Denis Healy answered the call with a great individual effort. Winning possession 60 metres out he careered through the Kildangan defence before driving low to the net to leave the minimum between the sides. A point from a free by John Hayes was quickly cancelled out by one from play by Patrick Mc Carthy Time was running out but there were still turns and twists to this game. When it looked as if the Tipperary side would hold out Dohenys were awarded a free, 50 metres out near the right touchline, which Patrik Mc Carthy drove between the uprights. Bringing the sides level on the stroke of full time. Extra time seemed on the cards when Jerry Mc Carthy gained possession 50 metres out near the left sideline. Making a little room for himself and with the sweetest of strikes he floated over the winner. The final whistle went soon afterwards resulting in a display of sheer delight from the Doheny contingent at a game lost and won while one had to feel for the devastation felt by Kildangan at a game won and lost.
Dohenys now go forward to play the Galway champions on Sunday, March 4th again in Killeedy. Indeed, the Killeedy club are to be complimented on the arrangements last Sunday and especially for the cup of tea and sandwiches which were provided for all present.
Scorers for Dohenys: Patrick Mc Carthy 0-10(0-8 frees), Jerry Mc Carthy 0-3 (0-2 frees), Denis Healy 1-0, Keith Sheehan 0-1.
Scorers for Kildangan: John Hayes 2-5 (0-3 frees,0-1 ’65), Willie Seymour 1-0, Eoin Kelly 0-1, James Minihan 0-1.
DOHENYS: V.Healy, C. Cahalane, T O’ Leary, K. Crowley, D. Lyons, N. Collins, C. Collins, K. Sheehan, J. Mc Carthy, M. Farr, D. Healy, C. Hurley, P. Mc Carthy, C. Deane.
Subs David Crowley, Donncadh Deasy, Conor Mc Coy.