East Cork GAA

Martin O'Brien Match Report

Clyda Rvs qualified for the final of this year’s Ulster Bank Co Minor “A” Football Championship when in Mourne Abbey on Friday night last they saw off the strong challenge of Erins Own after extra-time in what was a thrilling contest Despite the recent inclement weather the surface in Mourne Abbey was in top class condition and after a tentative opening period by both sides, in which a point from Niall Scanlon got Erins Own off the mark, Clyda Rvs began to come more into the game. Points from Cian O’Sullivan, Sean O’Connell and sub Daniel O’Connell, who came in for the injured Christopher Buckley, saw them ease into the lead by the 18^th minute. The sides were on level terms five minutes later thanks to quick-fire points from Scanlon (free) and Cathal O’Mahony but in the 25^th minute the game really sprung into life when Conor O’Sullivan broke through for a goal for Clyda to give them the advantage 1-03 to 0-03. Erins Own again hit back and after well executed points from Andrew Power, Andrew Gannon and Mark Collins the sides were again deadlocked at half time approached but a pointed from Conor O’Sullivan saw Clyda Rvs go in at the break leading by the bare minimum 1-04 to 0-06.

Erins Own, who were having strong displays from Kieran Moynihan, Niall Scanlon and Cian O’Connor in defence, Andre Power and Mark Collins were having their moments in midfield while up front David Smiddy, Andre Gannon and Cathal O’Mahony were looking lively, came out with all guns blazing and by the 35^th minute regained the lead when a powerful shot from Moynihan ended up in the net. Undeterred Clyda bounced back to equalise with a brace of pointed frees from Conor Flanagan and after an exchange of points between Andrew Power and Michael Linehan they again took the lead with a point from Conor O’Sullivan in the 50^th minute 1-08 to 1-07. A point from Andrew Gannon saw the sides level for the sixth time but then the home side who had impressive performances from Eoghan Meaney in goal, Chris Kenny, Kenneth Fitzgerald, Conor O’Sullivan, Conor Flanagan, Michael Linehan and Cian O’Sullivan made a bold bid for victory when after Flanagan converted a penalty the same played increased their advantage with a point from a placed ball as the game entered its final minute. It now looked as if Clyda had weathered the storm but their opponents had other ideas as they attacked in numbers and forced a penalty which was expertly taken by Niall Scanlon to leave the bare minimum between the sides as the game went into injury time and in one final attack they brought the game to extra time when Scanlon sent over a placed ball to leave the scoreline read 2-09 apiece.

In the first period of extra time Clyda Rvs forged ahead with points from Conor O’Sullivan and Christopher Buckley, who had returned to the fray, and confirmed their authority when following a brilliant move which started in their own defence Michael Linehan was on hand to finish the ball to the net to give them a 3-11 to 2-09 advantage but a pointed free from Niall Scanlon gave Erins Own some hope as the sides turned around for the second period. The big question now was could the “East Cork” side rescue the game and with David Smiddy reducing the deficit with a neat point from play it was again game on. As a goal now only divided the sides it was all hands on deck for the “Avondhu” champions and as their opponents fought tooth and nail for the equaliser but their defence was equal to the challenge leaving them to run out winners on the final scoreline of 3-11 to 2-11 and a meeting with Bandon in the final.

Scorers: Clyda Rvs Conor O’Sullivan 1-03; Conor Flanagan 1-02; Michael

Linehan 1-02; Cian O’Sullivan, Sean O’Connell, Daniel

O’Callaghan and Christopher Buckley 0-01 each.

Erins Own Niall Scanlon 1-04; Kieran Moynihan 1-00; Andrew

Power 0-02; Andrew Gannon 0-02; Cathal O’Mahony,

Mark Collins and David Smiddy 0-01 each.

Teams: Clyda Rvs Eoghan Meaney; Chris O’Connell, Christopher Buckley,

Chris Kenny; David Madden, Kenneth Fitzgerald, Donal

O’Callaghan; Conor O’Sullivan, Conor Flanagan;

Michael Linehan, Robert Walsh, Maurice Clarke; Cian

O’Sullivan, Sean Ronayne, Sean O’Connell.

Subs: Daniel O’Callaghan for Christopher Buckley

Seamus Madden for Sean Ronayne

Christopher Buckley for Daniel O’Callaghan

Erins Own Ryan O’Neill; Kieran Moynihan, Jack Sheehan, Niall

Fouhy; Cormac Dooley, Niall Scanlon, Cian O’Connor;

Mark Collins, Andrew Power; Kevin Fenton, David

Smiddy, Kevin Collins; Andrew Gannon, Cathal

O’Mahony, Cian O’Callaghan.

Subs: Paul Ryan for Kevin Collins (Inj.)

Phillip Crowley for Kevin Fenton

Cormac O’Connor for Cian O’Callaghan

Referee: Colm Lyons (Nemo Rngs)