Fermoy are U21A champs... again

Fermoy 0-13 Kilshannig 0-9

IN a repeat of last year’s Country Clean Recycling Under 21 AHC final, Fermoy collected another title at Killavullen on Saturday evening when they defeated Kilshannig by a four point margin.

Over the hour the inclement weather made playing conditions rather difficult. In a low scoring contest the sides were level at 0-2 apiece by the 13th minute before Fermoy created the games opening goal scoring opportunity when David O’Callaghan was denied from close range by the Kilshannig keeper Jack Lyons at the expense of a ‘65 that David Lardner pointed from.

At the end of the first quarter David Lardner with another point moved his side double scores in front. Exchanges were very close for the rest of this half with both teams gradually adjusting to the wet conditions.

Some well taken points were swapped between David Lardner (2) Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Jack Twomey as Fermoy maintained a two point cushion by the 22nd minute. Moments later Fermoy moved three clear when David O’Callaghan scored a fine point with Kilshannig responding when Jack Twomey pointed a free 0-7 to 0-5.

In the run up to the break the better balanced Fermoy side were showing the greater urgency with Jack Scannell, James Fitzpatrick, Adam Creed, Ronan Morrisson, David Lardner, Nathan Collins, Jake Carr, David O’Callaghan and ‘man of the match’ Greg Lardner influential figures. Jake Carr and Jack Twomey traded late points as Fermoy held a 0-8 to 0-6 interval lead.

The second half was again much the same with it being very much point for point as Fermoy were always able to stay two points clear. Jake Carr got the scoring underway for the winners within seconds of the throw in.

By the 40th minute both teams exchanged two more points as Fermoy held a 0-11 to 0-8 cushion. Scores were at a premium for the next 15 minutes with both teams very much off target. Kilshannig in particular struck some bad wides that could have got them back on terms.

Kieran Twomey had the next score for Kilshannig in the 55th minute but try as they might the Glantane side who had some good displays by Michael Cogan, Bill Curtin. Jack Twomey, Eanna O’Hanlon and Kieran Twomey were unable to breach the Fermoy backline for a goal they so badly needed with ‘man of the match’ Greg Lardner outstanding at centre-back.

Instead it was Fermoy that secured victory when Adam Creed sent over two long range frees before the final whistle as they emerged deserving winners by a four point margin. After the game North Cork Board Treasure John Roche presented the cup to the winning captain Ronan Morrisson,

FERMOY: J Shanahan, C Condon, J Scannell, J Fitzpatrick, L Aherne, G Lardner, J Ennis, A Creed 0-2f, R Morrisson, J Molloy 0-1, N Collins, D Lardner 0-6 (0-4f, 0-1 ‘65’), J Carr 0-3, D O’Callaghan 0-1, D Daly Sub: D Ekechukwu for D Daly

KILSHANNIG: J Lyons, M Cogan, B Curtin, D Riordan, C Murphy, C O’Shea, J Kearney, E O’Hanlon, K Twomey 0-2, J O’Hanlon, J Twomey 0-5 (0-3f), B O’Shea, S Lyons 0-1, Diarmuid O’Sullivan 0-1, J Murphy

REFEREE: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth)