Mathúna’s leave it late to snatch win
Diarmuid Ó Mathúna 0-12 Dohenys 0-10
In the end Mathúna’s left it very late to clinch a win over neighbours, Dohenys, in this second round, losers’ group, Derry O’Connell Supermarket junior A football championship game in perfect conditions in Ballinacarriga on Friday evening last. Just like Cork in the drawn semi-final against Kerry, Mathúna’s looked the better side for much of this do-or-die encounter, especially in the first half when their greater physique and sheer power caused lots of problems for the lighter Dohenys side.
However, just like Cork, they failed to put the game out of the reach of a game Dohenys outfit who trailed by only three points at the break, cut it to one immediately on the restart, fell four points behind again but then bravely hauled themselves back to equality with seven minutes left on the clock. Just as in Killarney, it was anybody’s game as the match entered the closing five minutes and cometh the hour, cometh the man. In this case it was Mathúnas’ wingback, Seán Crowley. Outstanding all through in the number 7 shirt, he came forward to kick a massive 60m free in the 56th minute to put his side back in front and then, after the Mathúna defence had cut out two Doheny raids, it was Crowley who sealed the issue in the 30th minute with a fine point from play.
In truth, Mathúna’s had a lot of heroes in this entertaining encounter, that really sprang to life in the second half. County player, Mícheál Fehily, had a great outing at centre forward, his non-stop style causing many problems and he was often found back in defence in the last quarter, spurring on his side. Aidan Collins had a good outing at full back while the half back line of Kieran Fleming, Jerry Nyhan and, especially, Seán Crowley, was well in command except for a ten minute spell in the second half. John Roche worked his socks off at midfield, dominating the first half, and got good assistance from Ted Lordan. Mícheál Fehily was the ace in the pack up front but all six forwards had moments of good contributions, especially the full forward line of Patrick Crowley, the hard-working Darragh O’Leary and the sharp Darren Coughlan.
Dohenys looked very poor in the first half when only Cathal Crowley, Tadhg O’Leary. Noel Collins, Donal O’Sullivan and Stephen O’Donovan made any impression. The second half saw a big improvement with big Donal O’Sullivan began to make an impression at midfield, well-assisted by Alan Sheehan. Fachtna McCarthy and Clement Deane got well on top in the corner back positions while Killian Crowley began to emerge at wing back. Dan O’Donovan tried hard in various positions but an over-reliance on veteran Cathal Crowley for scores in attack was to prove very costly at the end.
Referee, Leonard Cooke, Carbery Rangers.
Mathúna’s hit the ground running in this game, showing great determination and Darren Coughlan kicked a lovely opening point in the second minute. Although Dohenys levelled with a Dan O’Donovan point, Mathúna’s were looking by far the better and stronger side. With John Roche dominating midfield and Fehily flying at centre forward the Castletown side went two points clear with points from that duo. Stephen O’Donovan did pull one back for Dohenys but Fehily kicked a lovely left-legged point and when Barry Lordan added two more from frees, Mathúna’s were four clear and in control. It got better with a fine fisted point from Patrick Crowley and Dohenys were in danger of being swamped.
To their credit the Dunmanway side rallied before the break and lively veteran, Cathal Crowley, closed the gap to a very manageable three points when he kicked two, one from play. It was 0-7 to 0-4 at the interval and Dohenys were lucky to be so close. When they restarted in a blaze with points from Alan Sheehan, free, and Cathal Crowley, free, the gap was down to the minimum and we wondered if Mathúna’s had shot their bolt. But back they came and three points in four minutes from Seán Crowley, a 45, Mícheál Fehily and Barry Lordan had them four in front by the 38th minute, a blistering start to the second half.
Scoring slowed down after that and the game began to get a bit physical with at least one player lucky to escape with a yellow card. Once more Dohenys, with Donal O’Sullivan erupting into action at midfield, pulled themselves back from the brink and when Cathal Crowley kicked another brace of points, from free and play, the deficit was halved and Dohenys were on a roll. Continuing to surge forward, O’Sullivan kicked two mighty points to level the game in the 53rd minute. It was looking like a Dohenys win at that stage but then came Crowley’s heroic finish to put his side into the third round of the championship, while Dohenys are now out of the race for 2009.
Man-of-the-match, M icheál Fehily, D. Ó Mathúna.
Scorers: D. Ó Mathúna – Mícheál Fehily 0-3, Barry Lordan 0-3, 0-2 frees, Seán Crowley 0-3, 0-1 free, 0-1 a 45, Darren Coughlan 0-1, Patrick Crowley 0-1, John Roche 0-1. Dohenys – Cathal Crowley 0-5, 0-3 frees, Donal O’Sullivan 0-2, Stephen O’Donovan 0-1, Alan Sheehan 0-1.
Diarmuid Ó Mathúna – Padraig Aherne, Clinton O’Mahony, Aidan Collins, Brian Horgan, Jerry Nyhan, Ted Lordan, Seán Crowley, John Roche, Barry Lordan, Mícheál Fehily, Seán Coughlan, Darragh O’Leary, Darren Coughlan. Subs, Damien Shannon, Aidan O’Leary.
Dohenys – Darren Kelly, Clement Deane, Tadhg O’Leary, Fachtna McCarthy, Johnny Collins, Noel Collins, Killian Crowley, Donal O’Sullivan, Alan Sheehan, Declan O’Dwyer, Stephen O’Donovan, Barry O’Donovan, Brian McCarthy, Dan O’Donovan, Cathal Crowley. Sub, James Collins.
“Cois Farraige”