Rossiter seals the deal for cruising Coolkenno
A GOAL and a point in the last three minutes from Eamonn Rossiter sealed a three point win for the home side on Saturday evening. In truth, the speedy Rossiter could have had another goal in injury time and although missing the target was a harder task than scoring the ball rolled wide and the hands rising to the head and the eyes of Rossiter looking to the heavens, told you he knew he missed a sitter.
It mattered not though as Coolkenno had survived a late rally by their opponents and ran out deserved winners in the end.
With both teams mentors on the same sideline there was always a risk of a few contested line balls and the odd clash over a few refereeing decisions and but for a little bit of extreme language the game passed by without too much incident.
The visitors opened the scoring early on when the tall centre forward Niall Meldon was put through on goal and his shot went over the bar.
Moments later Conor Walker was left completely unmarked in front of goal at the other end and he slipped the ball just under the onrushing Shane Gallagher.
Two frees from Kilmacanogue before the 10 minute mark from Meldon and wing forward Josh O'Callaghan levelled the game but for the next period Coolkenno completely dominated, and they hit four scores on the trot from Walker, David Tompkins, Eamonn Rossiter and a Don Jackman free.
The game was slowed down somewhat by heavy conditions underfoot but once the two teams got to grips with what they were dealing with the game flowed a little more and Kilmacanogue came fighting back and this time it was the visitors turn to dominate, kicking three points in a row from corner forward Simon Doyle, Nial Meldon and Josh O'Callaghan.
Meldon's latest point was a little bit special, a huge effort from long range that bounced behind John Corcoran's goal.
Don Jackman and O'Callaghan swapped frees just before half time and when Pat Dunne's whistle sounded Coolkenno lead 1-5 to 0-7.
The second half began in a similar fashion to the first with Kilmacanogue starting the brighter and two O'Callaghan frees put his side a point up. Coolkenno brought on a sub by the name of Paul Murphy, who it's believed hadn't played for the club since 2009 after a stint in Dubai, and it may have been his positive influence but Coolkenno came forward and slotted a point through David Tompkins.
Next, David Cole shot for a point that came off the post and when it was about to land was met on the volley by Ian Roche who also hit the post before finally Conor Walker finished the ball to the net.
Kilmacanogue responded with a point from Steve Morgan that made it 26 to 0-10 and then Don Jackman scored a beauty of a point to give Coolkenno a three point lead.
On came the visitors though and they hit 1-1 in a minute to take the lead by a point going into the final ten minutes. Full forward Shane Vickers the man charged with hitting the net.
The Coolkenno response was immediate and the Jackman brothers added points to restore their lead only to have it levelled with four minutes to play, but enter Eamonn Rossiter who grabbed an excellent 1-1 to seal the game for the home side.
Coolkenno: John Corcoran; Paul Keogh, Steve Cushe, Ian Roche; Brian Rossiter, Bob Keogh, Pearse McCarthy; Ben Jackman (01), Jim Cushe; Cathal Rossiter, David Tompkins (0-2), David Cole; Don Jackman (04,3fs), Eamon Rossiter (1-2), Conor Walker (2-1). Subs: Paul Murphy for Paul Keogh, John Greagan for Roche.
Kilmac: Shane Gallagher; Donal Tuhoy, Gavin Burke; Paddy O'Donnell, Luke O'Callaghan, Eoin Tuhoy, Barry Fitzpatrick; Steve Morgan (0-1), Mark King; Josh O'Callaghan( 0-6fs), Niall Meldon (0-4), Bob O'Donnell; Aaron Craven, Shane Vickers(10), Simon Doyle (0-2). Subs: Conor Finn for Tuhoy.
Referee: Pat Dunne (Hollywood)