Saints’ dream dies at final stage

Lough Rovers 2-8 St Johns 0-9

NO happy ending for a battling St Johns on falling short to Lough Rovers in an exciting county final at Carrigadrohid last Friday evening.

In doing so, Rovers from the Bandon Road in Cork City ended a 75 year drought to sample county accolades thanks to performing with confidence, class and character. At times, the tussle may had lacked scores but it made for compelling viewing for a big attendance.

Ultimately, a more balanced Lough Rovers fully deserved victory on operating the more effective and cohesive football together with enjoying a greater share of possession. Indeed Rovers cuteness typified by their ability to craft goals at defining times steered welcome honours to a success starved club.

Apart from the opening 20 minutes, St Johns were forced to operate second fiddle to a side holding greater physique, experience and oozed confidence as the proceedings progressed. All frustrating for St Johns by the end of the hour but they are entitled to draw encouragement from their exploits in the campaign.

Though Rovers opened the scoring per Danny Kiely, St Johns favoured by the breeze got the bit between their teeth to put down a clear marker. Points to Donal Corkery and Eoin Barrett delivered confidence to the Duhallow side to dominate the exchanges.

Strong play from Denis O’Keeffe, Kevin Sheehan and Pa Rohan in defence, enhanced by the efforts of the Barretts, Eoin and David at midfield helped set up a spirited flourish. A pair of pointed frees from Neally Corkery in addition to John O’Mahony blasting over the crossbar pushed St Johns ahead 0-5 to 0-1.

Steadily Lough Rovers pulled out of their slumber and grew into the game but a series of chances were passed over. Turning the screw, Rovers were right back in contention in the 23rd min on Alan O’Sullivan placing Rory O’Connor to goal that helped cut the arrears 0-6 to 1-2 at the break.

On the restart, Rovers picked up where they had left off, the Lough splendidly served in defence by John Sheehan, Danny Flaherty and Jason Keegan with Sean Keane and Kiely influential further out the field.

Heroic defending by St Johns thwarted a series of raids before Rovers nudged ahead from points to Michael Dineen(45) and David Daly. St Johns attempted a response, missed chances and the woodwork preceded an equalling point from Barrett.

The pendulum swung back to the Lough boys, Kiely pointed and in the 50th min. prior to the surfacing of a second goal. A degree of controversy here, a hint that a probing ball might had gone wide yet the St Johns defence failed to play to the whistle, Daly somehow kept the ball in play and it fell nicely for Seán Blake to slid home.

Now the Lough held the upper-hand, Kiely and Dineen adding delightful points. A Barrett point gave St Johns faint hope of a recovery, the reality was the Lough were playing well within themselves and another terrific Dineen effort sealed the deal.

LOUGH ROVERS: J O’Sullivan; J Sheehan, D Flaherty, P Foy; K O’Connell, S Keane, C O’Callaghan; J Keegan, A O’Sullivan; D Daly 0-1, M Dineen 0-3(01’45), S Blake 1-0; K Murphy, D Kiely 0-4, R O’Connor 1-0 Sub: S Long for O’Connor

ST JOHNS: K Kelly; T Murphy, D O’Keeffe, C Lane; P O’Keeffe, K Sheehan, P Rohan; E Barrett 0-4(0-2f), D Barrett 0-1; N Corkery 0-2f, D Corkery 0-1, J Ring; S Kelleher, J O’Mahony 0-1, J Kelleher Subs: T Cronin for Ring, A Shine for Murphy, L Dennehy for N Corkery, A Sheehan for S Kelleher

REFEREE: F Quill (Bantry Blues)