Boherbue seal Nevin Cup title with win over Cullen
Boherbue 6-10 Cullen 1-9
A SHARPER Boherbue possessed too much firepower for Cullen to collect the Duhallow Nevin Cup JBFL Group 1 title at Kiskeam.
The victors blended intensity and a hugely impressive workrate with a first rate effort in front of the posts. Indeed the essential difference between the sides saw the Boherbue full forward line make a telling impact, the class of Gerry O’Sullivan, David O’Connor and Denis McCarthy surfaced to reap a telling 6-8 tally.
Boherbue were lightning quick from the start blocks, Mc- Carthy and O’Connor netted quick fire goals in addition to a run of points. Coming up to the break, Cullen managed to quench the Boherbue fire for a spell with Paul Fleming, Michael O’Riordan, Gearóid Twomey and Mike Fleming showing a facility to create opening.
Three points from Colin O’Leary and Mike Fleming helped trim the arrears 2-7 to 0-4 at the break.
However Boherbue remained in pole position on the restart, team captain Conor O’Riordan, C J O’Sullivan and Jack Daly asserted their authority in defence with Daniel Moynihan and Michael O’Connor putting together a significant contribution at midfield.
Indeed, Boherbue’s ball retention, support play and finishing proved superior. Upfront, Boherbue sustained their challenge, Adrian Murphy found O’Sullivan to goal before the same player netted again from close range.
In fairness, Cullen attempted to stem the tide, their hopes boosted on substitute Cathal Kelleher at the end of a delivery from O’Leary to flick home a goal. Still Boherbue remained far more assured and fluent in possession as opposed to a general lethargic amongst the Cullen ranks.
Going forward, Boherbue offered further signs of their attacking prowness, Bryan Herlihy placed David O’Connor for goal number five. Now Boherbue stretched away in giant strides, O’Connor completed his hat trick with a crisp finish.
To their credit, Cullen were prepared to battle all the way to the finishing line with Twomey and O’Leary posting consolation points. BOHERBUE: D Cremin; C O’Keeffe, C O’Riordan, B Buckley; C J O’Sullivan, J Daly, P Daly; D Moynihan, M O’Connor; D O’Sullivan 0-1, A Murphy 0-1, A O’Connor; G O’Sullivan 2-2, D O’Connor 3-4 (0-3f), D McCarthy 1-2. Subs: M O’Keeffe for D McCarthy, B Herlihy for A Murphy, B Murphy for D Moynihan, F O’Connor for D O’Sullivan, S Ahern for C O’Keeffe.
CULLEN: F O’Connor; M O’Riordan, C Moynihan, D O’Sullivan; C Kearns, P Fleming, C O’Connor; P Murphy, P Cremin; S Fleming, A O’Sullivan, C Hickey; C O’Leary 0-4 (1f), M Fleming 0-3, G Twomey 0-2 (1f). Subs: C Walsh for D O’Sullivan, C Kelleher for P Murphy, D Murphy for C Walsh, W O’Keeffe for P Cremin.
REFEREE: E Walsh (Freemount)