Dooley strike sends Avondhu to defeat

Bride Rovers 1-19 Avondhu 0-19

BRIDE Rovers had a close win over Avondhu in Round 2B Co SHC at Castletownroche on Saturday.

It was keenly contested all through with nine players figuring on each scoring sheet. Barry Johnson opened with an early pointed free. Liam Coleman replied in the third minute.

Michael Collins who impressed on the wing edged Rovers ahead a minute later. The only goal of the game came in the fifth minute when a foul Barry Johnson as he was delivering from near the sideline saw the free awarded from where the ball landed about 25 yards out from goal.

Daniel Dooley was expected to take his point but he belted low and hard and it found the net 1-2 to 0-1. Avondhu replied with Liam Coleman having two pointed frees. Richard Whitty had a point for Bride Rovers.

Avondhu had four wides by the 13th minute while the winners were off target on two occasions. It was point for point for a while 1-3 to 0-3, 1-4 to 0-4, 1-5 to 0-5 and 1- 6 to 0-6.

Avondhu improved as the half progressed. A long range free by Pat O’Connor found Chris Buckley who pointed. Liam Coleman also landed a free as the lead was down to a single point 1-6 to 0-8.

Good play for the winners by Ryan Prendergast led to a Barry Johnson point. Avondhu replied instantly with Darren Casey putting Jack Barry through for a fine point. Three rapid points by Ryan Prendergast, Richard Whitty, and Daniel Dooley had Bride Rovers in front 1-10 to 0- 9.

In the closing moments Avondhu finished very strong. They had three points by Liam Coleman (free) Jack Barry and Darren Casey to be within the minimum at the break 1-10 to 0-12.

Avondhu did well on the resumption. Liam Coleman pointed an early free and Stephen Condon edged the Divisional side ahead after four man attack. Both sides were off target before Cian O’Connor won a great high ball and soloed through for a great point that levelled for the third time 0-14 to 1- 11.

Avondhu added points from a free and a ‘65 by Liam Coleman as they looked good. Then a long delivery by Denis Fitzgerald to Cian O’Connor produced a foul on Daniel Dooley that the latter converted. Rovers now gained control in midfield and their halfbacks were also very solid under the dropping ball.

Cian O’Connor worked well to Michael Collins who forced a ‘65. The ‘65 by Daniel Dooley was wide. Good play by Barry Johnson to Michael Collins and Daniel Dooley led to a good save by Pat O’Connor.

Kieran Morrisson gave Avondhu a two point lead at the end of the third quarter. Rovers seemed to feel they were under pressure, they lifted their game considerably and outscored Avondhu by 0-7 to 0-2 in this final quarter.

Shane Walsh pointed and good play by Shane Kearney led to an equaliser for the fourth and last time 0-17 to 1-14. In the last nine minutes the teamwork, speed and accuracy of the Rathcormac side proved decisive.

Good play by Brian Murphy led to a lead point by Daniel Dooley. Richard Whitty struck a massive point in the 53rd minute with Denis Fitzgerald pointing a long range free that opened up a goal lead by the 55th minute.

Avondhu had a point by Daniel Curtin after good play by Stephen Condon. In the 59th minute a foul on Shane O’Connor led to Rovers last score a pointed free by impressive Daniel Dooley. In injury time Liam Coleman had Avondhu’s last score. Time ran out and Bride Rovers advanced.

BRIDE ROVERS: D Fitzgerald 0-1f. T O’Sullivan, D Carr, S Kearney, L Forde, B Murphy, S Walsh 0-1, C O’Connor 0-2, B Johnson 0-4 (0-3f) S Glasgow 0-1, D Dooley (Capt) 1-4 (1-2f) M Collins 0-2, R Whitty 0-3, S Hackett, R Prendergast 0-1 Subs: J Mannix for S Hackett, S O’Connor for S Glasgow, D J Cahill for R Prendergast

AVONDHU: P O’Connor (Ballyhooly) E Clancy (Fermoy) K Lane (Kilworth) P Aherne (Ballyhooly) S Linehan (do) N Byrne (Kilworth) B O’Sullivan (Fermoy) K Morrisson 0-1 (do) D O’Flynn 0-1 (Charleville) D Casey 0-1(do) J Barry 0-3 (do) C Buckley 0-1(Clyda Rovers) S Condon 0-1 (Harbour Rovers) N McNamara 0-1(Kilworth) L Coleman 0-9 (0-8f, 0-1 ‘65’) (Fermoy) Subs: D O’Reilly (Ballyhooly) for D Casey, D Curtin 0-1 (Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels) for C Buckley,

REFEREE: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven)