Rock start quickly

Rockchapel 1-17 Kinsale 1-8

A BLISTERING start propelled Rockchapel to a comprehensive victory over Kinsale in Round 2 to the Co. Intermediate Football Championship at Donoughmore.

Straight from the first play, Rockchapel held a mission to dictate this contest and they did so in telling fashion. The outcome sees Rockchapel join Dromtariffe at the head of the table, the Duhallow side were up for the job from the outset, their greater work ethic allowed five players help secure a 0-7 to 0-0 advantage by the water break

That blistering start contrasted to Rockchapel’s opening assignment, playing second fiddle to Dromtariffe during the opening quarter. No such bother here, Rockchapel clearly dominant all through to secure an easier than expected triumph.

If Rockchapel want to be critical of any aspect to this showing was a desire to seek goals when points were a much better option. Pre match rain made for a greasy sod, Rockchapel got the show on the road, Jack Curtin and Seamus Hickey points settling the Duhallow side.

Their movement and physical power stood out in just about every line with Eamonn O’Callaghan, Shane Curtin and Moss O’Keeffe emerging commanding figures in defence.

In the centre, the midfield duo of Conor Kepple and Seamus Hickey provided a platform to work with excellent ball into attack, two points by Mikey McAuliffe and one each from William Murphy, James Forrest and Curtin forged a 0-7 to 0-0 grip.

Kinsale waited to the 19th minute to open their account once Gearoid Finn pointed a free. Indeed Finn was creating an impact after moving outfield and lent invaluable assistance to grafter Brian Coughlan, further points from David Coughlan, Colm Donnellan and Finn reduced the leeway 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval.

Again, Rockchapel restarted the second half brightly, cleverly working the ball through the channels, points by Curtin, Forrest and Hickey doubled the Duhallow side’s upperhand by the 40th min.

Kinsale briefly interrupted the onslaught on points from Brian O’Neill and Finn to offer semblance of a comeback only for Rockchapel answer with points to John Walsh and William Murphy. Indeed Rockchapel kept on the offensive, instead of attempting to rest on the decent tally, they were intent on obtaining a green flag and it came, good work by Forrest teed up McAuliffe to oblige.

Kinsale were second best on this occasion yet they grabbed a consolation goal from David Coughlan shortly before the finish.

With two rounds of the Group format played, it sets up the concluding games nicely. Rockchapel are pencilled to meet Ballydesmond, a contrasting scenario here, Rockchapel need a result to rubberstamp a place in the knockout phase, likewise Ballydesmond require victory to remove relegation fears.

On the opposite side, Dromtariffe’s clash with Kinsale is crucial, a win either way will secure a passage to the next phase.

ROCKCHAPEL: C Murphy; N O’Callaghan, E O’Callaghan, S Curtin; J O’Sullivan, M O’Keeffe, DJ O’Callaghan; C Kepple, S Hickey 0-3; J Walsh 0-1, W Murphy 0-2, J Curtin 0-4(0-3f); M McAuliffe 1-3, J Forrest 0-3, K Collins Subs: L Collins for J Curtin (51 inj), N Lenihan 0-1 for J Walsh (55)

KINSALE: S O’Neill; S O’Brien, C Lane, R O’Regan; K O’Rourke, N McCarthy, D O’Mahony; B Coughlan 0-1, D Coughlan 1-1; J O’Brien, T Broderick, B O’Neill 0-1; C Donnellan 0-1, G Finn 0-4f, H Sheehan Subs: C McCarthy for K O’Rourke (26 inj), G O’Leary for S O’Neill (37), A Ryan for S O’Brien (47), W O’Hea for D O’Mahony (52), M Murphy for C Donnellan (56).

REFEREE: C Ó Murchú (Carrigtwohill)