Wasteful Joe’s punished by Mattock class

Fleming’s late brace seals Sheelan Cup win

MATTOCK Rangers hit the first and last scores of both halves in pipping St Joseph’s to the Paddy Sheelan Cup in Darver on Saturday night.

The Collon side looked to be flagging in the last 10 minutes and fell behind for the one and only time midway through the closinging quarter but they were clinical when scoring opportunities arose and a pair of converted frees by Cathal Fleming turned the contest in their favour.

A year on from scoring a mere four points when losing the decider to Naomh Máirtín, Mattock surpassed that sum inside six minutes. Midfielder Ben McKenna, who produced some glorious fetches, got on the end of a sweeping move, blazing past Stephen Carron from close range prior to points by Seán Flynn and Fleming.

Down by five, just as they were again when Oisín McKenna expertly blasted to the net for Mattock’s second goal moments after the restart, Joe’s warmed to the task and dominated for long stretches but they were wasteful and unconvincing.

Too many of their players lack conviction and it was only on their fourth major attempt that they found a way past Stephen Smith courtesy of Jack Mulligan’s tidy finish. Alan Quigley flicked an effort wide when the match was in its infancy though he was most certainly fouled in doing so.

Referee Paul Finnegan, who let a lot go unpunished, waved play on and then Oisín McGuinness’ shot was beaten away by Smith as frustration mounted in Joes’ ranks.

Despite having so much talent, the Dromiskin/Darver outfit are rudderless in many ways and lacking a leader capable of taking the initiative when the need is greatest. They were athletically and phys-physically better than Mattock and seemed certain to prevail when McGuinness nudged them in front.

Alas, they shrunk when it was time to count and Rangers capitalised. Alan Caraher was the best performer on show, while Adrian Reid (inset), James Caraher, Shane Maguire, Fleming, Oisín McKenna and Seán Flynn retained their composure and subtly delivered as the winners fathomed the match-winning openings.

Joe’s hit six wides in a first half which they lost by 1-4 to 0-5 and fell five in arrears again before a four-point flurry ate considerably into the gap. While a Fleming double made it 2-6 to 0-9, after Quigley had blazed a close-range attempt waywardly, Mulligan boosted the hopes of Tom Franklin’s charges with the levelling goal.

Having never won this title, it seemed as though the major would propel Joe’s to a maiden success, particularly when they skipped ahead. Instead, though, they took liberties with possession on several occasions and a dogged Mattock side, who still play with the club’s traditional swagger and class, were in no mood to let the silverware pass them by.

And they didn’t.

MATTOCK RANGERS: Stephen Smith; Eoin McCloskey, Cillian Hickey, Tom Grimes; Alan Caraher, Shane Maguire, Caolan Nulty; Ben McKenna 1-0, Jason Condon; James Caraher, Oisín McKenna 1-1, Rónán Kilbane; Seán Flynn 0-2 (1f), Cathal Fleming 0-6 (3f, 1m), Dáire Englishby. Subs: Adrian Reid for Condon (29), Terry Donegan for McCloskey (47), JP Watters for Kilbane (52).

ST JOSEPH’S: Stephen Carron; Aidan Kieran, Michael Staunton, Cian Sheridan; Killian McDonnell, Gabriel Bell 0-2, David Kieran; Ben Mulligan, Conor Neary 0-1; Jack Mulligan 1-1, Craig Doherty, Conall McCaul 0-2 (1f); Alan Quigley 0-3 (1 45), Oisín McGuinness 0-2 (2f), Ben Collier. Subs: Killian Staunton for B Mulligan (47), Ciarán Johnston for Quigley (47), Conall Smyth for J Mulligan (52).

REFEREE: Paul Finnegan (St Patrick’s).