Clyda Rovers are county U-16 football champions
REBEL OG COUNTY U-16 B FC (1) FINAL
Clyda Rovers 1-9 Sam Maguires 0-10
CLYDA Rovers captured the Rebel Og County U-16 BFC (1) title on Saturday when they defeated a gallant Sam Maguires outfit after extra time at Togher on Saturday. In a low scoring contest both teams squandered many scoreable chances throughout the course of the game.
The opening half saw Clyda Rovers work the short passing to great effect from the offset and helped by points by team captain Conor Corbett they moved into a 0-2 to no score lead by the sixth minute. Sam Maguires who were beaten by Ballycastle Gaels in the Rebel Og County Under-16 BHC (1) in recent months quickly settled and they shaded matters for the rest of the half.
In the eighth minute a quickly taken free by Keelan O’Donovan set up Alan Brickley for their opening score with the same player getting his side back on level terms at the end of the first quarter with a free. The sides were also level at 0-3 each when Alan Brickley edged the West Cork side in front before Clyda Rovers levelled matters when a Sam Maguires attack was intercepted with the Rovers breaking down the field at speed that resulted in the hardworking Luke Brophy kicking a fine point. Just one more score was registered before the break when Sam Maguires top marksmen Alan Brickley pointed a free in the 24th minute and it was enough to give them a slender lead at the interval.
On the changeover the Mourneabbey side were back on parity in the 37th minute when Conor Corbett set up Luke Brophy for a point. At this stage it was felt the Avondhu side would push on from here but this certainly was not the case with chance after chance going a begging while Sam Maguires who had some fine displays by Con O’Sullivan, Ellis Farrell, Jerry Collins, Sean Daly, Keelan O’Donovan and Alan Brickley also enjoyed their fair share of possession.
Over the next couple of minutes both teams came close to scoring a goal. Clyda Rovers were denied when Conor Corbett’s attempt was intercepted by a Sam Maguires defender with the West Cork side coming close soon after when Alan Brickley cut in from the end line only to strike the side netting from a tight angle.
As the half went on Sam Maguires gained a foothold. In the 42nd minute Alan Brickley with a free edged them in front before Sean Daly made it a two point game a minute later 0-6 to 0-4. Clyda Rovers refused to panic but up front they continued to be very much off target. In the 52nd minute Conor Corbett reduced the margin to a point.
In a gripping finish many Rovers attacks continued to be intercepted by a well organised Sam Maguire’s defence and they looked impressive despite being reduced to 14 players. However Clyda Rovers dug deep in injury time and their efforts were rewarded when Conor Corbett pointed from distance to ensure the game went to extra-time when tied at 0-6 each at full time.
In the first period of extra time the North Cork side struck for a vital score in this period when Mikey Corbett, David Cooney and Conor Corbett linked up very well to set up Eoin Walsh who netted from a tight angle. Moments later good work by Sean Browne set up Conor Corbett for a point that moved them four clear. Sam Maguires response was immediate with Alan Brickley pointing two frees that closed the deficit to two points. However on the stroke of the half time whistle Eoin Walsh with a free for Clyda Rovers saw a goal separated the teams 1-8 to 0-8.
On the changeover exchanges were again close. Alan Brickley with two more frees set up an interesting finish when the lead was down to the narrowest of margins. Sam Maguires went all out to get the equalising score but it was not to be. Instead it was Clyda Rovers that moved two clear in the final moments when the impressive Eoin Walsh pointed a free.
In injury-time they had a chance to seal victory when awarded a penalty but the spot kick by Eoin Walsh went narrowly wide. This was soon greeted by the final whistle and it was Clyda Rovers who had some fine displays by Sean Browne, Rowan Doherty, Gary Deane, Cormac O’Reilly, Adam Jack, Conor Corbett, Luke Brophy, Eoin Walsh and Mikey Corbett that held on for victory.
After the game Eoin O’Connor on behalf of the Rebel Og Board presented the cup to the winning captain Conor Corbett.
CLYDA ROVERS: S Dennehy, K Graham. R Doherty, S Browne, D Lawlee, A Jack, C O’Reilly, G Deane, C Corbett 0-5 (1f), C Walsh, L Brophy 0-2, P Ryan, M Corbett, E Walsh 1-2 (0-2f), C Twohig. Subs: B Nyhan for P Ryan, B Buckley for C Twohig, R Deane for K Graham. D Cooney for C Walsh, C Twohig for L Brophy (inj) et,
SAM MAGUIRES: P O’Sullivan, F Browne, P Duggan, D Dullea, D O’Donovan, E Farrell, A O’Donovan, C O’Sullivan, J Collins, M Cronin, S Daly 0-1, M Collins, K O’Donovan, A Brickley 0-9 (7f), P Collins. Subs: C Nyhan for J Collins (black card), G Farr to make 15th player in extra-time.
REFEREE: Mark Maher (St Finbarrs)