Mallow’s title bid takes a knock

Fr O’Neills 2-17 Mallow 1-17

FR O’Neills claimed their fourth victory to date in the league when defeated Mallow in a highly competitive league encounter at Mallow on Saturday evening.

Despite the sides being level at 0-1 each after six minutes it was the home side that started in a very determined manner. Killian O’Connor moved them ahead with a free before a great solo run up along the flank by Paul Lyons produced a marvellous point to move 0-3 to 0-1 in front.

Fr O’Neills quickly settled and they shaded matters for the remainder of the half. Two points in quick succession by Joe Millerick and Rob Cullinane forced parity by the 10th minute.

The East Cork outfit followed with two more points before they struck for the games opening goal in the 13th minute when a delivery by Joe Millerick was fetched by Eoin Conway who in turn set up Kevin O’Sullivan for a well taken goal.

O’Sullivan followed with a point from a free and general play as the winners surged into a 1-7 to 0-4 advantage by the end of the first quarter. Mallow stayed in touch when Killian O’Connor (2) and Cormac Murphy had points, but it was Fr O’Neills that finished the half in a flurry with Billy Dunne, Eoin Conway, Kevin O’Sullivan and Joe Millerick on target before the half time whistle that helped them to a 1-12 to 0-9 lead at the short whistle.

On the changeover despite Kevin O’Sullivan opening the scoring for the Imokilly side it was a much improved Mallow that took to the field in this half. Their half backline of Daniel Sheehan, Pat Healy and Alec Luttrell thundered into the game as they cut off some of the supply that was going into Fr O’Neills full forward line in the opening half.

Over the next couple of minutes the home side registered points by Killian O’Connor (3), Conor Hannon and Paul Lyons that reduced the margin to three points 1-14 to 0-14 by the 40th minute.

Mallow tried hard very had to close the gap further but it was very much point for point over the next ten minutes with Killian O’Connor and Kevin O’Sullivan swapping frees for their respective sides 1-16 to 0-16.

With the game firmly in the balance Fr O’Neills moved four clear in the 54th minute courtesy of a Kevin O’Sullivan free. A minute later they struck for a second goal when a huge clearance out of the full-back line saw Billy Dunne get inside the Mallow rearguard and finish to the net 2-17 to 0-16.

Mallow recovered very well in the closing moments. They struck two wides in quick succession before Pat Healy sent over from distance. At the end of normal time they were awarded a 21 yard free that Cormac Murphy drilled to the net.

Time was not on their side with Fr O’Neills holding out for a close but deserved win and move joint top with Charleville in the Div 1 HL with four wins and two draws from seven games played to date in the current league.

FR O’Neills : G Sloane, J Barry, M O’Keeffe, C O’Connor, K Broderick, G Millerick, S O’Connor, T Millerick, J Millerick 0-2, P Steele, L O’Driscoll, R Cullinane 0-1, K O’Sullivan 1-9 (0-8f) E Conway 0-4 (0-1f) B Dunne 1-1

MALLOW: R Harkin, R Sheehan, F O’Neill, J O’Hanlon, A Luttrell, P Healy 0-1, D Sheehan, C Hannon 0-1, K Sheehan 0-1, P Lyons 0-2, C Murphy 1-2 (1-0f) J Hayes, F Moynihan, K O’Connor 0-10 (0-9f) D Hayes Sub: D Buckley for F Moynihan

REFEREE: Pat O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers)