Mallow all but certain of play-off berth

Mallow 2-13 Fermoy 0-6

THIS win for Mallow over Fermoy in the Cavanagh’s Fermoy Division 1 FL at Fermoy on Friday evening all but guarantees them a place in knock-out stages.

The opening half was keenly contested with little separating the teams. On the changeover the winners with a good blend of youth and experience dominated from the offset to run out easy winners.

The early stages saw the sides level for the second time by the end of the first quarter when Conor O’Driscoll, Tadgh Carroll, Michael O’Rourke and James Campion traded points.

Mallow struck for the games opening goal in the 17th minute when Colin Stanton was on hand to finish to the net after Michael Quirke’s attempt at goal came back off the upright.

The remainder of the half saw Mallow exert most of the pressure as they surged forward at every given opportunity. Jack Dillon pointed a free before a five man movement resulted in Colin Stanton kicking a great point.

Fermoy responded when good work by Greg Lardner saw him set up Cian O’Carroll for a well taken point. However, it was Mallow that completed the first half scoring when Michael Quirke kicked over late in the half that helped them to a 1-5 to 0-3 interval lead.

On the changeover Mallow dominated from the offset. Michael O’Rourke was in devastating form in the full forward line where he kicked some great point while others to impress included Jack Kennedy, John McGuinness, Richard Willis, Kevin McCarthy, Tadgh Carroll, Michael Quirke and Jack Dillon.

By the end of the third quarter some well taken scores by O’Rourke (5) Tadgh Carroll and Peter Attridge moved them 1-12 to 0-5 in front. Moments later Colin Stanton finished his second goal to the net after Jack Dillon, Tadgh Carroll and Michael O’Rourke combined well.

Scores were at a premium for the rest of the game with Jack Kennedy and Mattie Condon having a point each for their respective sides as Mallow ran out easy winners in the end.

MALLOW: B Kennedy, E Barry, J Kennedy 0-1, S Merritt, K McCarthy, R Willis, J McGuinness, T Carroll 0-2, M Quirke 0-1, C Stokes, E Carroll, J Dillon 0-1f. M O’Rourke 0-6, C Stanton 2-1, M Kenny Subs: P Attridge 0-1 for M Kenny, M Roche for E Carroll, S Kelly for T Carroll, M Kenny for C Stokes

FERMOY: J Shanahan, C O’Driscoll 0-1, D.J. Hayes, S Kelleher, G Morrisson, J Pyne, R Morrisson, G Lardner, J O’Callaghan, D Ryan, F Bogue, J Molloy, J Campion 0-1, D McCarthy, C O’Carroll 0-2 (0-1f) Subs: L Aherne 0-1 for D Ryan, M Condon 0-1 for D McCarthy, C Murphy for J Campion, B Barry for F Bogue (inj) D Ryan for S Kelleher

REFEREE: Dave O’Farrell (Mitchelstown)