Mourneabbey
CLYDA ROVERS GAA
CORK COUNTY SFC – Clyda Rovers 0-12 O’Donovan Rossa 0-10: As championship wins go, this game will surely count among the very best victories Clyda Rovers have ever produced. The relatively low score line might suggest a dour struggle, but in truth this was an epic battle. Clyda survived an horrendous run of injuries to produce a stunning comeback, force extra time and go on to win with drama all the way to the final whistle.
O’Donovan Rossa opened brightly and raced into a deserved 0-4 to 0-0 lead inside the first quarter. With a number of doubtful starters due to injury concerns, Clyda were understandably hesitant in the early stages. But slowly Clyda eked their way into the game, with Roy Willis the first to start the come back with a point for Clyda. Dan O’Callaghan then got in on the scoring act with a long range free, before O’Donovan Rossa went three clear again, 0-5 to 0-2. Disaster struck for Clyda when captain Conor O’Sullivan had to depart proceedings with a hamstring injury, leaving cert student Colin Kelly replacing him.
With five minutes to go to the break, the real Clyda suddenly burst onto the scene. Dan O’Callaghan kicked over a delightful long range free before narrowing the gap with another free from closer range. Midfielder Kenneth Fitzgerald got on the end of a brilliant team move to level proceedings at half time.
A buoyant Clyda could suddenly sense self-belief but O’Donovan Rossa were not to be easily beaten and had the first two points on the board in the second half. For Clyda, Chris Kenny was giving the performance of his life while outside him James Buckley and Oliver O’Hanlon were ruthless in the pursuit of possession. Not an inch of space was conceded. Colin Kelly then had to depart the scene, succumbing to an ankle injury. Mike Forde was the replacement. Dan O’Callaghan continued to give an emphatic performance with a pointed free.
Rossa went two points clear again going into the final quarter. Ronan Flanagan replaced the injured Oliver O’Hanlon as Clyda were unlucky not to be awarded a badly needed close in free. But again, the Mourneabbey men rallied and Conor Flanagan pointed a delightful free kick to close the gap to the minimum.
The intensity of exchanges reached new heights as the game reached fever pitch in the closing minutes. It was fitting that that man again, Dan O’Callaghan, had the final say to level proceedings. Clyda introduced Johnny O’Sullivan and Diarmuid Ronayne as the injury crisis worsened with Roy Willis and Chris Buckley departing the scene. The battle continued as both sides hunted for an equaliser. Referee James Larkin brought the game to a halt, forcing extra time.
The Clyda back room team were forced into over drive as they re-arranged their forces. Bodies worn from the intensity of the battle but determined to fight on were mended on the fly. Conor O’Sullivan and Roy Willis were reintroduced. The first half of extra time belonged to Clyda. Flanagan and Kenneth Fitzgerald were a colossus pairing at midfield and Paul Cronin’s wizardly was a constant source of threat.
The towering presence of Dan O’Callaghan starting proceedings with a mighty effort. His free kick from over 65 meters flying over the cross bar. An inspired Clyda were now full of momentum as they hit the front for the first time. The tireless Cian O’Sullivan was rewarded for his heroics with a brilliant point before the crafty Cronin sailed his effort straight between the posts to put Clyda 0-11 to 0-8 into the lead. Chris Buckley was reintroduced for Roy Willis as the game paused for the final break.
Clyda continued with their attacking ploy in the final 10 minutes. James Fitzgerald was the final sub for Clyda as Cian O’Sullivan’s battered and bruised body could take no more. Rossa gap closed to the minimum with two minutes to go. There was further drama as Clyda keeper Cian Conway was twice called upon on to rescue his side in the closing minute, the second of which was a double save of the highest quality as he cleared the ball off the goal line. In an act that mirrored so much of the game, the limping but ever determined Conor O’Sullivan won possession completed the clearance.
It was heart stopping stuff with the crowd at fever pitch in the sweltering sunshine. The final act in an absorbing tie saw the hugely impressive Clyda corner back Seán Ronayne kick his side two clear with his first ever championship score, an outstanding solo effort worthy off the occasion. Finally referee James Larkin blew time as the Clyda team, mentors and supporters celebrated as if they secured the county championship itself.
Never before has a game witnessed so many injuries as Clyda men put their bodies on the line. Great credit must go to coach Donie Dorgan, manager Liam Cronin and their management team. The performances of several players will go down in Clyda folklore, but mention must go to big Dan O’Callaghan and the powerful presence of midfielder Conor Flanagan for exceptional performances. The famous war horses Ray Carey and Paudie Kissane were inspirational and the brilliance of Chris Kenny was a joy to behold. Clyda are now through to Round three of the county championship, likely to be held after the two-week break in early July.
Clyda: Cian Conway, Seán Ronayne, Ray Carey, Chris Kenny, James Buckley, Paudie Kissane, Oliver O’Hanlon, Conor Flanagan (0-1, one free), Kenneth Fitzgerald (0-1), Cian O’Sullivan (0-1), Paul Cronin (0-1), Conor O’Sullivan, Chris Buckley, Dan O’Callaghan (0-6, five frees), Roy Willis (0-1). Subs: Colin Kelly, Mike Forde, Ronan Flanagan, Johnny O’Sullivan, Diarmuid Ronayne, James Fitzgerald.
FIXTURES – Avondhu JAHL Clyda v Harbour Rovers Thursday, June 22, at 7.30 p.m. in Mourneabbey. Avondhu underHC Clyda v St Kevin’s in Glantane at 7.30 p.m. on June 27.
LOTTO – lotto results for 19/6/17. Numbers drawn were 6, 19, 22 and 24. Spot prizes: €50 Emma and Anna Browne (Ballinvoskig); €30 Dan Curtin (c/O Jerry O’Donoghue); €20 Colette Ryan (Lissard); €20 Breda O’Riordan (Monee); €20 Noel Cahill (Clogheen). Next week’s draw on Friday, June 23, in Ballinamona. Jackpot €12,500.
MEMBERSHIP – Those wishing to pay their Clyda Rovers membership for 2017 must do so in the next week. Club Tickets for Inter County matches will only given to those with their club membership fe.