O’Connor strike earns Boherbue extra win over Carrig na bhFear
Boherbue 3-12 Carrig na bhFear 2-11 (aet)
BOHERBUE came strong in extra time to record a deserved four point victory over Carrig na bhFear in an exciting County JAFL semi-final at Donoughmore.
Having forfeited an earlier twelve point advantage, Boherbue dug deep to raise their level of performance considerably and an all important Jerry O’Connor goal proved decisive to the outcome. Carrig na bhFear were made to pay dear for not sealing the deal at the end of an extended hour, enjoying their only lead over the opening hour only for a last ditch O’Connor pointed free forced extra time.
Assisted by the breeze, Boherbue were switched on from the outset, laying out their intentions from the solidity of Conor O’Riordan, Jack Daly, Kevin Cremin and O’Connor. That allowed Boherbue raid deep into Carrig na bhFear territory with goals from Denis McCarthy and Gerry O’Sullivan powering the Duhallow side ahead 2-6 to 0-0.
It appeared game over yet Carrig na bhFear began to chase Boherbue with considerable vigour, Oisín Crowley led the way with a score and five consecutive points offered encouragement to trail 2-6 to 0-5 at the break.
And Carrig na bhFear continued where they had left off, availing of the massive workrate of Daniel Coleman, Michael Aherne, Shane Horgan and Paul O’Keeffe to make further inroads. A goal from Crowley whittled the deficit down to two only for Boherbue to answer for welcome points by Jerry and Ross O’Connor.
Carrig na BhFear refused to accept the apparent inevitability, O’Keeffe and Crowley pointed before a great move involving O’Keeffe and Paul Murphy allowed Crowley net for a shock lead. It set up a big finish and deep into injury time., Boherbue’s talisman O’Connor steered over the equaliser for a 2-10 apiece scoreline.
Into extra-time, Carrig na bhFear took a brief lead thanks to O’Keeffe. However, the additional 20 minutes called for stamina and endurance, Boherbue possessed the characteristics, O’Connor’s clever footwork took him clear of his pursuers and angle a delightful goal for the clinching score. BOHERBUE: K Murphy; D Buckley, C O’Riordan, J Daly; M O’Gorman, N Murphy, M O’Connor; K Cremin 0-1, B O’Gorman; A Murphy 0-1, J Corkery, A O’Connor; D McCarthy 1-1, J O’Connor 1-6 (0-3f), G O’Sullivan 1-1. Subs: CJ O’Sullivan 0-1 for A Murphy, D Moynihan for A O’Connor, P Daly for M O’Gorman, R O’Connor 0-1 for J Corkery, P O’Connor for D McCarthy. CARRIG NA bhFEAR: C O’Reilly; C Cooney, S Hennessy, T Sheehan; D Coleman, A Dorgan, M Aherne; J Aherne, S Horgan 0-1; T Geaney, P O’Keeffe 0-5, C Hill; P Murphy 0-1, O Crowley 2-2 (0-1f), P Sheehan 0-1. Subs: D O’Driscoll for C Cooney, J Forde 0-1 for C Hill, D McSweeney for D Coleman.
REFEREE: K Furey (Cill na Martra)