Fermoy pipped by a point by O’Donovan Rossa

COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2

O’Donovan Rossa 1-10 Fermoy 2-6

THIS game at Fermoy was a dress rehearsal for the upcoming championship. Both teams were evenly matched and in the end Fermoy could have snatched a draw.

David Shannon was outstanding for the West Cork side. Equally David Lardner was brilliant for the home side accounting for 2-4.

Both defences were very solid, the sides were level 0-1, 0-2 and 0-3 each after 16 minutes. Good play by impressive Rory Byrne led to a great David Shannon point. Just before the break Shannon landed a free as the winners led 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.

On the resumption a long delivery by David Shannon was saved by Fermoy goalkeeper Killian Bratchford, however Isaac Harte was there for the rebound and finished to the net. Rory Byrne added a good point with Niall Daly edging the winners 1-7 to 0-3 clear. David Shannon pointed another free.

Fermoy came back strong in the final quarter, Peter Murphy,

Darragh O’Carroll and Greg Lardner excelled in the half backline. They forced a penalty that David Lardner converted to come with five points 1-8 to 1-3.

Further Fermoy pressure saw David Lardner point a free with David Shannon having his sixth point. Fermoy had their goal in the 53rd minute when Greg Lardner cut through with his effort being saved by Ryan Price with David Lardner on hand to goal. Niall Daly added another point.

Fermoy had two points by David Lardner (free) and Shane Aherne while Niall Daly kept the Carbery side in front in the dying moments.

For Fermoy Adam Creed, Peter Murphy, Darragh O’Carroll Greg Lardner, Shane Aherne Brendan Daly and David Lardner did well. O’DONOVAN ROSSA: R Price, O Lucey, D Daly, P O’Neill, C Coomes, P Crowley, S Fitzgerald, R Byrne 0-1, J Shanahan 0-1, B Crowley, N Daly 0-2, E Connolly, I Harte 1-0, D Shannon 0-6 (3f), J Hourihane. Sub: S Crowley for J Shanahan (inj)

FERMOY: K Bratchford, A Creed, R Morrisson, L Cronin, P Murphy, D O’Carroll, G Lardner, D Conran, S Aherne 0-1, L Aherne, P de Roiste 0-1, M Brennan, B Daly, A Aherne, D Lardner 2-4 (1-0 pen, 0-3f). Subs: G O’Callaghan for P de Roiste. S Power for D Conran, B Twomey for M Brennan, D O’Brien for L Aherne, J Murray for B Daly.

REFEREE: Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers)