Inniscarra silence Tones on second half takeover

Inniscarra 2-11 Wolfe Tones 2-6

INNISCARRA rolled up their sleeves during the closing quarter to overcome Wolfe Tones in the Rebel Óg MAFC semi-final at Glantane. With the destination of the spoils up for grabs, Inniscarra weren’t found wanting, a forceful blast put paid to the hopes of the Kanturk and Lismire combination.

Apart from a brief spell, Inniscarra always looked by far the more formidable force, playing comfortably within themselves to secure a deserved win.

From the outset, Inniscarra dictated the terms of engagement, bossing the proceedings with Padraig Holland and Stephen Linehan posting points. Gradually, Tones settled down and grew into the game after Daniel O’Connell blasted home a goal to tie up the game.

However the run up to the break was productive for Inniscarra, points from Holland, Colin O’Leary and Frank Horgan helped secure a 0-7 to 1-2 advantage. The scoring dried up during the third quarter, Tones remained well in contention through the involvement of Liam Cashman, Brian O’Sullivan, Alan Walsh and Aaron McAulliffe.

Points from Conor O’Donoughue and O’Connell left Tones trailing by the minimum at the three quarter stage. However, Inniscarra gained a massive foothold on the proceedings once Eddie O’Connor created the opening for Stephen Linehan to net.

Now Inniscarra grabbed control, Jack O’Sullivan and Darragh Hughes commanded the defence, O’Connor and Sheehan won plenty of ball at midfield with Colin O’Leary and Linehan full of adventure in attack.

Substitutes Liam O’Connor and Liam Ryan made a telling impact to shoot points and Inniscarra’s cause was further enhanced from a crisp Sheehan drive to the Tones net. Late on, Tones did their best to plot a way out of an increasingly troubled position, their hopes a degree of consolation from a late goal converted from the penalty spot by Alan Walsh.

That proved a case of too little, too late, the fate of the Tones sealed, Inniscarra safely through to a county final against Clonakilty in the prospect of a cracking contest.

INNISCARRA: J Gould; J O’Sullivan, D Kelly, D Hughes; E Kelly, C O’Leary, F Horgan 0-1; E O’Connor, S Sheehan 1-0; C O’Leary 0-1, R Cahill, S Linehan 1-2; O McCarthy, D Kiely, P Holland 0-4f. Subs: L Ryan 0-1 for R Cahill, L O’Connor 0-2 for D Kelly, S Leisk for C O’Leary, R Twomey for O McCarthy.

WOLFE TONES: R Cashman; A Murphy, L Cashman, P Leahy; E Guiney, C O’Sullivan, C Breen; A Walsh 1-1 (1-0p), B O’Sullivan; G Bucinskas, D O’Connell 1-1, T Walsh; C Walsh, C O’Donoughue 0-3f, G Keneghen. Subs: A McAulliffe for E Guiney, S Hopkins for G Bucinkas.

REFEREE: M Sheehan (Liscarroll)