O’Callaghan goal sees Rovers over the line

Abbey Rovers 1-10 St Johns 0-10

ABBEY Rovers who dominated the opening half of this County Junior C FC semi-final at Killavullen on Sunday were very lucky in the end to hold out for victory.

St John’s found scores very hard to secure in the opening half. They had many wides and had to wait till the 29th minute for their only score of the half. The Castletownroche side dominated in vital sectors with their half forward line very effective.

Good play by Mark O’Callaghan led to a second minute point by Jonathan O’Callaghan. Rovers lost Jonathan O’Callaghan to injury but the introduction of Donal Relihan made a big difference.

Relihan was only on a few minutes when he put Mark O’Callaghan through for a goal. Dave Relihan made a vital interception as David Barrett bore down on goal for St Johns.

Points for the winners by Donal Relihan, Dylan O’Connor ‘45 and David Linehan had the Avondhu side 1-5 to 0- 0 ahead. Dylan O’Connor landed a pointed free with Shay Mullane kicking over from distance on the run. In the 29th minute Shane Kelleher pointed for St John’s who trailed 1-7 to 0-1 at half-time.

On the resumption St John’s were a far more determined side. They made a number of substitutions and clawed into Abbey Rovers lead. Eoin Barrett pointed an early free with Donal Corkery and Patrick Rohan working well for John O’Mahony who pointed.

Good play by Donal Relihan led to a great point by Dylan O’Connor. Further pressure by the St John’s side led to two pointed frees by Neil Corkery as the lead was down to five points by the 45th minute 1-8 to 0-6.

St Johns missed a few chances but points by Eoin and Eric Barrett left just a goal between the sides after 52 minutes. Abbey Rovers had two points by Muiris Browne and Dylan O’Connor (free) 1-10 to 0- 8.

In the dying moments Patrick Rohan made a great run that led to a fine point by David Barrett. In injury time Eoin Barrett with another free completed the scoring as Abbey Rovers advanced to meet Freemount in the Co JCFC final.

ABBEY ROVERS: J Batterberry, W Madden, D Relihan (Capt) H O’Farrell, Adrian A O’Donovan, S Skinner, T Barrett, S Mullane, M Browne 0-2, D O’Connor 0-5 (0-2f, 0-1 ‘45’), M O’Callaghan 1-0, P Madden, D Linehan 0-1, J O’Callaghan 0-1, L Farrell Subs: D Relihan 0-1 for J O’Callaghan (inj) C Relihan for L Farrell.

ST JOHNS: H Sheahan, D O’Keeffe, M Buckley, P O’Keeffe, P Rohan, K Sheahan, T Murphy, D Barrett, Eoin Barrett 0-3f, S Kelleher 0-1, T Sheahan, B Kelleher, Eric Barrett 0-1, J Kelleher, A Sheahan Subs:

N Corkery 0-2f for B Kelleher, J Ring for T Sheehan, J O’Mahony 0-1 for T Murphy, Donal Corkery 0-2 for A Sheehan, L Dennehy for J Kelleher

REFEREE: Arthur Murphy (Killeagh)