A Duffry stroll
Rovers ease past 13 men
DUFFRY ROVERS ST. FINTAN’S 3-16 0-4
DUFFRY ROVERS sauntered into the All-County Football League Division 3 final with a powerful performance against an ill-disciplined St. Fintan’s in Coolree on Friday.
The hosts were in control from the moment Johnny Flynn-O’Connor kicked the game’s opening score in the second minute.
They never looked like being unduly tested against an understrength opponent, but things were made significantly easier by two Fintan’s red cards.
As if sweltering playing conditions weren’t tricky enough to negotiate, the Ballymore boys that did play the 60 minutes had to endure plenty of extra running as a result of two avoidable dismissals against a team which was full of energy and brimming with confidence.
Rovers had all six starting forwards score, two defenders, a midfielder and a substitute. When ten different men get on the scoresheet it’s not unusual that the teamwork and inter-play is of a high standard, but their accuracy, possibly aided by familiar surroundings, was equally impressive.
Craig Casey burst through to net from Robert Frayne’s pass in the third minute, and Stephen Watchorn kicked a booming score soon after as Duffry Rovers moved 1-4 to nil ahead.
Adam Devereux and Niall Moore claimed two of the next three points but it was a shortlived Fintan’s purple patch.
Niall Beggan’s sensational point with the outside of his left boot was the pick of the scores as the Duffry moved 1-9 to 0-3 ahead at the break.
Just before the interval St. Fintan’s lost Jamie Sinnott to a straight red for connecting with Gavin Watchorn’s head with a stray knee when he was on the ground.
A sharp sun and Stephen Watchorn’s dipping long-range effort deceived Patrick McDonnell for the Duffry’s second goal early in the second-half. Aidan Byrne pointed with an effort that bounced over the bar moments later.
A clinically-taken Gavin Watchorn goal and a point from Michael Doyle left the hosts 3-13 to 0-4 ahead.
Referee John O’Loughlin was given no choice again in the 48th minute when Paddy Keane missed Aidan Byrne’s nose by millimetres with a swinging punch as St. Fintan’s were reduced to 13.
There was still time for Gavin Rafter to add a second point and for Frayne and Stephen Watchorn to raise further white flags as Duffry Rovers booked their final place opposite Castletown.
Duffry Rovers: Ben Nugent; Cathal Clince, Conor Jordan, Joe Coleman; Aidan Byrne (capt., 0-1), Craig Casey (1-0), Alan Doyle; Eamon Doyle (0-1), Donie O’Connor; Gavin Rafter (0-2), Johnny Flynn-O’Connor (0-3), Gavin Watchorn (1-0); Niall Beggan (0-1), Robert Frayne (0-3), Stephen Watchorn (1-4, 0-1 free). Subs. - Michael Doyle (0-1) for O’Connor, inj. (18), Michael Coleman for Flynn-O’Connor (31), Matty Flynn-O’Connor for Beggan (51).
St. Fintan’s: Patrick McDonnell (capt.); Edmund Cleary, Jimmy Staples, Shane Sinnott; Brendan Hughes (0-1), Frank Staples, Paul Cummins; Paddy Keane, Pádhraic Rossiter; Jamie Sinnott, Adrian Murphy, Adam Devereux (0-2 frees); Damien Corish, Cathal O’Brien, Niall Moore (0-1). Sub. - Niall Murphy for Moore (45).
Referee: John O’Loughlin (Monageer-Boolavogue).