Mallow edge out Fermoy in semi final of Division 2 League

Mallow 2-13 Fermoy 2-11

AN impressive last quarter saw Mallow come from behind to overcome Fermoy at Castletownroche on Saturday evening. Fermoy got off to a very good start with Adam Creed and Shane O’Keeffe having early points.

Fergal McCormack pointed for Mallow after good play by Seamus Buckley. In the 10th minute Shane O’Keeffe goaled for Fermoy after a two man attack. McCormack replied with a second point.

Mallow had their first goal in the 15th minute when Fionn Moynihan and Fergal McCormack combined to place Kieran Byrne for a well taken goal to come within a point. Fermoy regrouped well.

Good play by Trevor Grumbridge led to a fine point by Ross O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan followed with another point. Fermoy now doing well had a goal by Adam Creed after a good solo run that put his side six points clear 2-5 to 1- 2.

Fergal McCormack had a close in free saved. Brian Murphy pointed for Mallow after great play by Rory Downey. In the 27th minute Fermoy opened up a double scores lead when Ronan Morrisson put Adam Creed through 2-6 to 1-3.

Mallow had a late point by Seamus Buckley. They came close to a goal but were denied by a good save by Tommy O’Brien. At the break Fermoy were five points clear.

Early on the resumption Ryan Sergeant with a good run out of defence set up Ross O’Sullivan for a fine point. Mallow battled back well but they relied on Fergal McCormack for scores.

McCormack hit five pointed frees on the trot from long range closing the gap to a single point 2-7 to 1- 9. David O’Callaghan pointed for Fermoy who were a goal clear entering the final quarter 2-9 to 1-9.

Barry John Ryan made a superb save from Ross O’Sullivan before Fergal McCormack levelled with a goal after good play by Aaron Woods and Fionn Moynihan. Mallow finished well with Rory Downey, Brian Murphy, Barry John Ryan, Kenneth Mills and Fergal McCormack in very good form.

Points by Brian Murphy after a good run and Fergal McCormack (free) were followed by a Rory Downey point from long range that put Mallow 2-12 to 2-9 clear after 56 minutes.

Shane O’Keeffe (free) and Kenneth Mills swapped a point. Fermoy forced a close in free in injury time.

Adam Creed’s attempt was well saved by Seamus Buckley. In the 59th minute another free by Adam Creed was saved on the line by Kenneth Mills.

Deep in injury time David J Hayes finished the scoring with a Fermoy point. Mallow held out for a close win and they will face Liscarroll / Churchtown Gaels this Friday evening in the final in Buttevant.

MALLOW: B J Ryan, J Healy, G O’Sullivan, C Murphy, R Downey 0-1, A Luttrell, A Woods, M Roche, K Mills 0-1, B Murphy 0-2, F Moynihan, J Glynn, S Buckley 0-1, F McCormack 1-8 (0-6f), K Byrne 1-0 Subs: D O’Riordan for A Luttrell (inj)

FERMOY: T O’Brien, R Sergeant, B Barry, A Forde, D J Hayes 0-1, T Grumbridge, C O’Keeffe, R Morrisson, R O’Sullivan 0-3, A Creed 1-2, C Hurley, N Collins, C O’Carroll, C Murphy, S O’Keeffe 1-4 (0-2f) Subs: D O’Callaghan 0-1 for B Barry, B Barry for R Sergeant (inj)

REFEREE: Justin Murphy (Castletownroche)