Make or break for Rockchapel in Mallow
IT’S make or break for Rockchapel on a meeting against Glanmire in Round 3 of the Co. IFC at Mallow on this Friday evening.
It’s been an eventful campaign for last season’s defeated finalists as they strive to get back into a groove that earned productive outings culminating on two appearances in deciders in three seasons only to come up short to Éire Óg and Bandon.
A late show was required to get the better of Adrigole first time out and that placed Rockchapel into an all Duhallow clash with Kanturk. Here Rockchapel disappointed, not making it easy for their opponents yet they struggled in terms of distributing scores.
At their best spells, Rockchapel drew a positive response from the play of Eamon and Den Joe O’Callaghan in central defence, Kevin Collins won good ball at midfield while William Murphy and Seamus Hickey threatened in attack.
Apart from a pair of penalties from Liam Collins, Rockchapel lacked a cutting edge in attack where Hickey emerged the lone scorer from play. Meanwhile Glanmire recovered from a defeat by Kildorrery to sweep past Kinsale in Round 2B. Key to the Glanmire success were Kevin Allen and Shane Garvey in defence, Timmy Leahy and Tiernan Hourihan shaded midfield while Jason Burke and James Murphy worked tirelessly upfront.
Not too much has separated Rockchapel and Glanmire in the past yet provided Rockchapel can raise their performance from their previous two outings in the campaign, they might emerge the stronger side here to progress to
RESULTS
Barryroe 2-18, Meelin 4-11
Twohigs Supervalu JAHL Final
Kilbrin 2-15 Dromtariffe 1-18;
E Tarrant & Sons Skoda JAFC semi final
Knocknagree 2-14 Cullen 0-10
JBFC: Ballydesmond 2-14 Freemount 2-11
FIXTURES
Kilbrin v Kiskeam, Freemount 7.15pm; Glenlara v St. Johns, Ballydesmond, 7.30pm
Co. IFC
Rockchapel v Glanmire, Mallow 7.30pm
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12
E Tarrant & Sons Skoda JAFC semi final
Boherbue v Dromtariffe, Cullen 7pm
Co. IFC
Ballydesmond v Glenville, Mallow 5pm round 4.
Ballydesmond BALLYDESMOND and Glenville renew rivalry in the Co. IFC Round on Saturday evening.
When the sides clashed in 2015, deteriorating weather limited fancy football yet Glenville made light of the testing conditions to earn a comprehensive win. Central to the outcome of the game, Glenville kept their patience and when the opportunities arose either side of the interval, the victors netted all important goals to put daylight between the pair.
The challenge of Ballydesmond was seriously disrupted on interplayer Donncha O’Connor failing to start and though introduced midway through the second half, one sensed the die was cast for the Duhallow side on failing to match Glenville’s better attacking game where a pair of goals four minutes either side of the interval laid the foundation for victory.
From the 2017 championship, Ballydesmond performed well below par on a loss to St. Finbarrs first time out.
Fortunes improved on overcoming Youghal where Ballydesmond delivered a workmanlike performance with Tim Howard, Shaun Murphy and John O’Keeffe solid in defence in addition to Gerry Healy and Neil O’Sullivan competing well in midfield and a peach of a goal from county minor panelist Darragh Moynihan helped separate the pair.
Glenville availed of a good win over Kinsale but faltered to Kildorrery in a low key showing. With no safety net remaining from here, a competitive battle is in the offering. On the basis of a comfortable win two summers ago, Glenville are viewed as favourites yet Ballydesmond will take encouragement from the win over Youghal.
JAFC
OPPORTUNITY knocks for two sides keen to return to former glory days on the meeting of Boherbue and Dromtariffe in the second semi final to the E Tarrant & Sons Skoda Duhallow JAFC in Cullen this Saturday evening.
With defending champions Knocknagree sitting pretty to await new challengers in a decider, all the indications are both Dromtariffe and Boherbue will strive might and main in a bid to reach both a divisional final and secure a ticket to the Co. JAFC.
The teams met earlier in the summer in a Ducon Cup semi-final where a far superior conversion rate of chances allowed Boherbue outsmart battling opponents by a five point margin.
At key stages, Boherbue controlled possession and utilised their crafty endeavours with telling effect, the defending holders linked up effectively to create opportunities whilst in contrast Dromtariffe were left to reflect on a litany of missed chances.
From this campaign, Boherbue saw off the challenge of a disappointing Lyre in the opening round. For the best part, all the drive and initiative came from Boherbue, the efforts of Michael O’Connor, Mikie O’Gorman, Kevin Cremin along with David and Jerry O’Connor in attack put together the greater understanding and cohesion.
Straight from the off, Boherbue enjoyed a distinct superiority, playing controlled football, both O’Connors began in whirlwind fashion to kick points before the pair linked up in for a goal out of the top drawer.
Few could deny Boherbue looked a full gear better and their consistency was rewarded on landing a fourth consecutive league title. However Boherbue’s hopes are somewhat dimmed by a season ending injury picked up by the influential John Corkery.
Meanwhile Dromtariffe withstood a spirited Castlemagner revival with a performance sufficient for the occasion. Indeed, the victors deserved their victory, no doubting a clear superiority in the midfield region under the guidance of Seamus O’Sullivan.
Dromtariffe followed up to better Lyre, driving rain and a strong wind hampered open and fluent football. As events transpired, a pair of goals in quick succession at the start of the second half proved the match defining scores.
When required, the focused play of Cormac O’Mahony, Seán Howard, Eanna Mernagh and Adam Buckley adjusted to the demanding conditions with the Murphys to the fore in attack.
Adding to the intrigue of the contest are a sprinkling of Boherbue players are involved with Dromtariffe in a productive junior hurling season. That ensures hurling colleagues will be become football foes for a hour or so on Saturday.
It makes for a fascinating encounter, little to separate the pair yet Boherbue by virtue of their league semi final triumph enter the fray as favourites.