A bridge too far
Glanworth 1-7 Rockchapel 1-13
We reached our Arnhem in Dromina last Saturday when for the 11th consecutive weekend we were flat and paid the price. Over the last 11 weeks we played Mitchelstown, Mayfield, Adrigole and Kilshannig in intermediate football and Ballygiblin, Charleville, Buttevant, Ballyhooly, Clyda Rovers and Kilshannig in the junior A hurling championship winning the last eight matches on the trot. Next week is the replay of the North Cork junior A hurling final. Some of our players have played in most of these giving trojan performances. Dual players such as Davy Pyne, Phillip Blackburne, Brian Gallagher, Jack Coughlan, Eric O’Donoghue, Padraig Hannon, Shane O’Riordan, John O’Sullivan, Jerome Fitzgibbon, Sean Finn. And injuries are mounting up and taking its toll.
In Dromina last Saturday, what a great complex they have! Electronic score board, stand. Didn’t see dressing rooms due to Covid-19 but a beautiful walkway like a greenway around the pitch. Tarmac finish so a family could walk with smallies cycling if you like. Haven’t seen this before. We were even for the first ten minutes at two points apiece. Gerry O’Neill getting us off to a good start with a beauty from play. The referee was not too kind to us giving them a few hail Mary frees which they gleefully took. This trend continued and at half-time we were eight points to four down.
Things did not look too good but with the usual cavalry coming on Robert O’Driscoll, Mikie Sheehan, Brian Gallagher. What a game he had. Brian was instrumental in bringing us back into this game. Brian launched 3 high balls into their square causing one goal and another which went on the wrong side of the post. A punched effort by Stephen Condon which we needed. When they goaled late in the match we were doomed for eternity but our boys fought bravely to the end. Especially Davy Pyne, Sean Finn, Jack Coughlan and Phillip Blackburne giving their all but it was not too be. Eric O’Donoghue was a huge loss at fullback. Dylan Connolly was also a huge loss. These are two exceptional backs. Also missing from the backline was Diarmuid Colfer while up front John O’Sullivan running game was a big blow. Shane O’Riordan’s free taking was sublime. He judged and floated some beauties from difficult angles.
Michael Cashman gave his all during the year as manager along with James Sheehan, Laurence Kiely, Morgan O’Brien and Andrew McCarthy. Their commitment and time given was second to none. Thanks lads. Ye were all part of a great team. Well done to one and all.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Glanworth 0-5 Mallow 2-11
In absolutely desperate and awfully cold winter conditions in Killavullen last Sunday, Mallow’s second team easily outclassed us to win comfortably. This contest was never in doubt after the initial stages.
Physically stronger and with a team built for junior A we were lucky to keep the score to 2-11 to 0-5 at the full-time whistle. Even if we had the wind in both halves we weren’t at the races. At half-time they led 1-6 to 0-4 with our backs to the wall and tackling very well and all six had their markers.
Laurence Kiely was sound in goals. Denis Gallagher at fullback ably assisted by James Kiely and Scotty Sheehan. Damian Curran at centre back was marking a class player and did well on him. He was flanked by Francis John O’Flynn and Michael Blackburne. Centre field was Ciaran Murphy and Jack Blackburn who battled well and each scored a point too. Jack Flavin, Jessie Walsh, Emmett Sheehan, Hugh O’Neill, Aaron Noonan with Liam Cotter completing the sextet in the forwards. The subs used were Paul Kiely, Harvey McGrath, Jack Fogarty, Dylan Mullins and Michael Cashman.
BLACKROCK COUNTY TITLE
Well done to Blackrock on winning the Cork county senior hurling final with Robbie Cotter getting 2-2. What a player for the future who has strong Glanworth connections. His father Aidan should be very proud.