Famous first for Duarigle Gaels

Duarigle Gaels 3-12 Boherbue 2-9

DUARIGLE Gaels savoured the taste of outright victory in the Central Stores, Kanturk Duhallow Under 21 B FC for the first time after overcoming Boherbue in a highly entertaining decider at Rockchapel on Saturday.

The Millstreet and Cullen combination dug deep and raised their performance level considerably after a nervous opening twenty minutes saw them trail by two goals that might had been of more significant proportions if Boherbue had taken their chances.

However, the Gaels improved either side of the interval, growing into the ascendancy with an emphatic bounce and territorial dominance to leave a gallant Boherbue trudging wearily on the run for home during the closing 10 minutes.

Indeed, Duarigle showed their character and resilience once again in a roller coaster campaign, rising to a series of daunting challenges, when the hard questions were asked and not for the first time, they held the answers to storm home six points winners in this decider.

In doing so, Duarigle came good after a sluggish start, simply clicking into gear to play excellent controlled football thanks to displaying an inordinate degree of grit, determination and workrate.

Although the scoreline suggests a comfortable victory for the Gaels, it was only a burst during the latter stages that allowed them pull clear of their opponents.

The six point margin and ultimate defeat was rough justice on Boherbue, failing to maximise their territorial dominance for much of the opening spell where Boherbue created a glut of goaling opportunities. But as the game aged, Boherbue’s use of the ball wasn’t as good, Duarigle rolling up their sleeves to haul themselves right back into contention and finish on a high note.

Boherbue looked awesome all through the first quarter, enjoying a flyer of a start, great work by Richard Moynihan set up David O’Connor for a goal. Indeed Boherbue’s swagger grew, Colin O’Keeffe, Oisín Healy and Jack Daly building from defence in a delightful brand of football.

And with Moynihan and O’Connor creating havoc up front, the Duarigle defence was under intense pressure, ever reliable ‘keeper Dylan O’Leary made three fantastic save including a penalty effort from O’Connor after a foul on Alan O’Connor.

The one way traffic continued, Boherbue sliced open the opposing defence once again, on this occasion, Ross O’Connor did raise a green flag. When Duarigle needed a lift, it was provided by team captain James Linehan on taking a pass from Michael Twomey to net.

Now operating with far more urgency, the Gaels peppered the Boherbue rearguard, Linehan netting a second time to force parity.

And Boherbue counted their blessings just on the call of the interval whistle, their defence split open only for Gaels wing back Darren Kiely fire narrowly wide of the right hand post to leave the sides remain deadlocked at 2-4 apiece at the break.

For much of the third quarter, the contest remained finely balanced, back to back points from Boherbue’s Bryan Herlihy cancelled out by Padraig Moynihan and Cathal Crowley at the opposite end.

As the game continued, the initiative switched to Duarigle, Cormac Hickey, Shane Hickey and Darren Kiely tightened the defensive bolts, Colin Walsh and Crowley began to boss the centre with Moynihan and substitute Francis Cronin industrious upfront.

A pair of Crowley pointed frees nudged Duarigle ahead prior to a terrific move saw Twomey and Linehan place Neil Flahive to goal to put daylight between the sides. The remainder of the contest saw a brave Boherbue endeavour to put together a late bid yet they failed to breach a tenacious Gaels defence that repelled a number of offences.

Duhallow Vice Chairman, Steven Lynch presented the championship trophy to Duarigle Gaels captain James Linehan, the historic win sees a new name inscribed a new name on the roll of honour.

DUARIGLE GAELS: D O’Leary; T Healy, C Hickey, D Buckley; C O’Leary, S Hickey, D Kiely; P Dineen, C Walsh; T Walsh, M Twomey 0-1, P Moynihan 0-2; N Flahive 1-2, C Crowley 0-7(0-5f), J Linehan 2-0 Subs: F Cronin for Walsh, C O’Leary for Twomey

BOHERBUE: S Flynn; P Murphy, D Moynihan, C O’Keeffe; O Healy, J Daly, P Daly; C J O’Sullivan, B Murphy; R O’Connor 1-0, D O’Connor 1-6(0-3f), G O’Sullivan; B Herlihy 0-3(0-1f), R Moynihan, A O’Connor Sub: S Ahern for R Moynihan

REFEREE: M J O’Keeffe(Dromtariffe)