Fermoy blow past Gaels to take JCHC title
Fermoy 2-14 Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels 0-5
FERMOY are this year’s Shreelawn Oil JCHC kingpins after they ran out worthy winners over Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels in the final at Kildorrery on Wednesday night.
The inclement weather prior to and during the game made playing conditions rather difficult. The opening stages saw the defending champions Liscarroll/ Churchtown Gaels certainly set the early running and their good start was reflected when Peter Crowley (2) and Brian Quinn had points by the 9th minute that moved them 0-3 to 0-1 in front.
However for the rest of the game Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels found scores hard to come by scoring just two more points despite giving a good account of themselves for long periods.
In the meantime Fermoy with a good blend of youth and experience prevailed. Sean Hamelin, David O’Callaghan and Ryan Sargent were influential figures in the key half back line sector while others to impress in their victory included Daniel O’Flynn, John Ring, Gary O’Callaghan, Craig Murphy, Jack Gallagher and ‘man of the match’ Mattie Condon. By the 11th minute they were back on level terms at 0-3 each when Gary O’Callaghan and Mattie Condon were on target. Further pressure saw Mattie Condon (2) Daniel O’Flynn and Jack Gallagher with points open up a 0-7 to 0-3 lead before they struck for the games opening goal in the 21st minute when Gary O’Callaghan cut through and scored a cracking goal. Peter Crowley kept Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels in touch with a free.
From the resultant puckout by keeper John Wales, Craig Murphy picked up possession and scored from long range. In the run up to the break Mattie Condon added another point from a free before wing back Sean Hamelin with a long effort in stoppage time helped the winners hold a 1-10 to 0-4 interval advantage.
In a low scoring second half the severe cross wind continued to effect playing conditions. Fermoy’s Mattie Condon was the sole scorer during the third quarter having two pointed frees that moved them 1-12 to 0-4 in front.
Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels created their fair share of chances in this half but at times they found it near impossible to break down the Fermoy defence where James O’Sullivan was a commanding figure at full back. In the final moments Fermoy struck a purple patch. In the 56th minute Mattie Condon cut in along the end line and scored a great goal. Craig Murphy and Garry O’Callaghan followed with points with Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels completing the scoring at the end of normal time when Dwane Sheehan pointed a free. In the end there was no denying Fermoy the manner of their well merited victory.
After the game North Cork Board Chairman Barry Aherne presented the cup to the winning captain Craig Murphy. FERMOY: J Wales, C Frawley, J O’Sullivan, R Clancy, S Hamelin 0-1, D O’Callaghan, R Sargent, D O’Flynn 0-1, J Ring, C Hurley, G O’Callaghan 1-2, J Gallagher 0-1, C O’Carroll, C Murphy 0-2, M Condon 1-7 (0-5f, 0-1 ‘65’). D Regan for G O’Callaghan (blood), G O’Callaghan for D Regan, J O’Callaghan for R Sargent, JJ Hickey for D O’Flynn, D Buckley for C O’Carroll, D McCarthy for S Hamelin.
LISCARROLL/CHURCHTOWN GAELS: D Collins, M O’Brien, J O’Callaghan, J Kelly, T Jones, D Sheehan 0-1f, P Barrett, E Knipe, J Duggan, P Crowley 0-3 (2f), M O’Halloran, S Hedigan, B Quinn 0-1, P McMahon, A Murphy, Subs: J Quinn for P Barrett (inj), S Healy for M O’Halloran, P Barrett for A Murphy.
REFEREE: Ciaran O’Regan (Ballyhea)