Cody upsets odds to put Rebels to the sword while Dubs see off footballers
Mallow 4-10 Kilworth 1-17
MALLOW will meet Charleville in an all North Cork Red FM County Div 2 HL final after they had two points to spare over a gallant Kilworth outfit at Kilworth on Saturday evening.
Going into the game it was very much winner takes all with both teams depending on this result to determine who meets Charleville in the league final. Despite the sides being level at 0-1 each by the third minute, it was Mallow that struck for the first of their four goals in this half in the fourth minute.
Stephen O’Callaghan was denied by the Kilworth keeper Seán Keane with the rebound falling into the path of Jack O’Hanlon who finished to the net and it helped the winners hold a 1-3 to 0-3 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Over the next couple of minutes Noel McNamara and Liam Whelan were on target for Kilworth with points with Sean Hayes replying with a free for Mallow who held a 1-4 to 0-5 lead by the 17th minute.
In Mallow’s next attack they struck for their second goal when Jack O’Hanlon set up the inrushing Sean Hayes. In the 23rd minute they increased their lead further when Stephen O’Callaghan was upended in the square and a penalty awarded that Sean Hayes drilled to the net and in the process moved them 3-4 to 0-6 in front.
Kilworth regrouped well with Eoin Carey, Will Condon and Noel McNamara having rapid points. However it was Mallow that struck for another goal in the 28th minute courtesy of Denis Hayes that made it 4-5 to 0-9.
Kilworth rallied again before the half time whistle and in injury time their efforts were rewarded when Noel McNamara cut through the heart of the Mallow defence to score a great goal and leave five points between the teams at the interval 4-5 to 1-9.
On the changeover Kilworth came out a much improved side with Eoin Carey, Liam Whelan, Dave Twomey, Brian Tobin, Will Condon and Noel McNamara making an early impression.
Entering the third quarter they managed to claw back their opponents lead to just a single point 4-6 to 1-14 when Eoin Carey (2), Noel McNamara, Liam Whelan and Paddy Moakley tagged on some marvellous points – the Mallow point in this quarter coming by Seán Hayes from a difficult free.
With a place in the league final at stake both teams upped their efforts greatly in a keenly contested encounter.
Seán Hayes had a point for Mallow with Kilworth replying through Paddy Moakley following good work by Liam Whelan.
This continued to be the trend with Sean Hayes and Aidan Condon swapping a point by the 56th minute. In a gripping finish Kilworth went in search of the equalising score, but it was Mallow who had some good displays all through by Ronan Sheehan, Fionn O’Neill, Charlie Carroll, Jack O’Hanlon, Stephen O’Callaghan and the Hayes brothers that held on for victory despite Kilworth’s efforts late in the game.
Charlie Carroll and Noel McNamara traded another point in additional time. Kilworth battled to the end but it was Seán Hayes that completed the scoring with a free for the winners as they emerged victors by a two point margin.