Clyda Rovers claim Minor football title

Clyda Rovers 3-14 Kildorrery 1-9

AN evenly balanced Clyda Rovers ran out worthy winners over a gallant Kildorrery side in the Duhallow Sports Rebel Og MBFC (1) final at Glantane.

The opening stages saw Clyda Rovers quick into the action when they raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead by the fourth minute. Kildorrery with limited possession so far regrouped well and a point each by Sean Watson and Cathal Harrington levelled matters at 0-3 each by the seventh minute.

However as the half went on an impressive Clyda Rovers side gained a foothold with Garry Deane, Adam Jack, Sean Kelly, Sean O’Callaghan, David Walsh, Dominic Cronin, Darragh Buckley, Eoin Walsh, Ben O’Connor and Conor Corbett in superb form. In the ninth minute they struck for the games opening goal when Conor Corbett’s effort at goal came back off the post with the inrushing Sean O’Callaghan on hand to finish the rebound to the net.

Darragh Buckley and Anthony Crowley swapped a point before the Rovers hit Kildorrery for a second goal in the 16th minute. A great movement started back in the Rovers defence saw at least five players move the ball down the field at speed to set up Conor Corbett who netted and in the process move his side 2-5 to 0-4 in front. It was all Clyda Rovers at this stage and two minutes later a good save by keeper Darren Caplice denied David Walsh from close range.

For the rest of the half Kildorrery improved greatly with Anthony Crowley and Paddy Pigott winning their fair share of breaks in the key midfield sector. Points by Anthony Crowley, Cathal Harrington and Paddy Pigott closed the margin to 2-5 to 0-7 by the 24th minute. Just when Kildorrery looked right back in the tie it was Clyda Rovers that lifted the siege in the closing moments and two more points by Conor Corbett helped them hold a 2-7 to 0-7 interval lead.

On the changeover Kildorrery did very well during the early exchanges. They got off to a dream start when David Hunter, Paddy Pigott, Anthony Crowley, Pierce Pigott and Sean Watson combined well for Kieran Hurley to finish to the net following a goal mouth scramble 2-7 to 1-7. Kildorrery tried hard to reduce the margin further but it was not to be. Instead Clyda Rovers responded with a point each by Conor Corbett and Darragh Buckley by the 36th minute to restore a sizeable advantage. Kieran Hurley had a point for Kildorrery before both teams missed goal scoring chances. Paddy Pigott was narrowly wide for Kildorrery while at the otherend Ben O’Connor was off target for the Rovers.

However as the half went on Clyda Rovers would prevail. In the 42nd minute they had their third goal when Ben O’Connor cut in along the end line to set up Sean O’Callaghan for his second goal 3-9 to 1-8. It was all the Mourneabbey side from here with Conor Corbett (3) Sean Kelly and Eoin Walsh adding points before the final whistle as they ran out clear winners to make it a league and championship double.

After the game Don Forde on behalf of the Rebel Og Board presented the cup to the winning captain Ben O’Connor.

CLYDA ROVERS: S Dennehy, A Walsh, G Deane, S Browne, A Jack, S Kelly 0-1f, G Doherty, Sean O’Callaghan 2-0, D Walsh 0-1, D Buckley 0-2, D Cronin 0-1, E Walsh 0-1, P Buckley, B O’Connor 0-2, C Corbett 1-6 (0-3f), Subs C Twohig for P Buckley, B Deane for S Browne, M O’Callaghan for E Walsh, L Brophy for A Jack, Sam O’Callaghan for D Cronin, B Buckley for B O’Connor (inj),

KILDORRERY: D Caplice, N Higgins, M Walsh-O’Grady, P Hartnett, D Hunter, K Noonan, R Hurley, Paddy Pigott 0-1, A Crowley 0-3f, T O’Sullivan, C Harrington 0-3 (2f), K Hurley 1-1, S Watson 0-1, Pierce Pigott, S Cunningham, Subs M Caplice for S Cunningham, E Slattery for R Hurley (inj)

REFEREE: John O’Leary (Mallow)