‘Retired’ O’Connor serves up masterclass in county league
Ballydesmond 2-15
Gabriel Rangers 2-9
A well timed late run allowed Ballydesmond derail the intentions of Gabriel Rangers in a lively Co. FL Division 4 at a freezing Ballydesmond.
Despite the Arctic conditions, the two sides on duty held the distinction of opening a hectic county league programme and with five points on offer for a win, both sides contributed to an entertaining contest. On doing so, this contest rose the mercury levels thanks to neat passages of football and excellent scores by two teams drawn from opposite ends of the county.
Not for the first time, Ballydesmond held an ace up their sleeve with veteran Donncha O’Connor delivering a masterclass in finishing to register an impressive 0-10 tally. From the outset, Ballydesmond served notice of their intentions, availing of the positive workrate generated by the efforts of Denis Kelly, Denis Ring, Niall O’Sullivan and Kevin O’Connell.
Points from Dara Moynihan and O’Connor preceded a major move, the two midfielders combining, O’Sullivan centring for Shane Kelly to have the simplest of tasks to goal.
In fairness, Rangers contributed to an open contest, Eddie Goggin in excellent shooting form offered encouragement before a Seán Kelleher goal narrowed the deficit to the minimum 1-6 to 1-5 at the interval.
Again Ballydesmond restarted in impressive fashion, former inter county star O’Connor kicked four consecutive points. The one way traffic continued, mifielder O’Sullivan blasted off the woodwork before Niall Fleming made no mistake to raise a green flag for a clear 2-11 to 1-6 grip.
With Gabriels facing the prospect of a long four hour round trek and struggling to create an impression, their game began to create an impression, prompted by the solid play of Liam Hegarty, Hurley, Kelleher and Goggin.
Sharp shooter Goggin pointed a brace with Kelleher netting his second goal. And when substitute Ger O’Callaghan added a point, the deficit was down to manageable proportions 2-11 to 2-9.
As Gabriels came in search of rescuing the game, Ballydesmond weathered the storm and finished on the ascendency with Fleming and O’Connor popping over points to collect the maximum five league points on offer.
BALLYDESMOND: F O’Sullivan; C Linehan, N O’Leary, Denis Kelly; Donal O’Connor 0-1, D Ring, Donal Kelly; N O’Sullivan, S Kelly 1-0; K O’Connell, N Fleming 1-3, R Flynn; Donncha O’Connor 0-10, S Cronin, D Moynihan 0-1 Subs: J Healy, A Fleming
GABRIEL RANGERS: M O’Keeffe; D Roycroft, L Hegarty, R Roycroft; P Nolan, R Moynihan, F Hurley 0-1; S Kelleher 2-1, K Roycroft; S Waldron, C Moynihan, D McSweeney; R O’Neill 0-1, E Goggin 0-5, K O’Sullivan Subs: G O’Callaghan 0-1, J O’Brien, G Collins
REFEREE: D O’Leary (Kiskeam)