LAST-GASP FOLEY GOAL EARNS GLENVILLE DRAMATIC DRAW

McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Junior Football Championship, Round 2

Glenville 1-8

Cobh 0-11

Glenville’s first team travelled to Lisgoold on Saturday evening to face Cobh in the second round of the Premier Junior Football Championship.

Cobh entered the game following an opening-round victory over Inniscarra, while Glenville had shared the points with Urhan. With both teams eager to strengthen their championship position, a close contest was anticipated, and that was exactly how the game unfolded.

It was tight and tense from the opening whistle, with neither side able to establish a decisive advantage. Dylan McCarthy was a constant threat in the Glenville full-forward line, kicking an early point and winning two frees which Ciaran Linehan converted.

Cobh responded at the other end, and after 20 minutes the teams were level at four points apiece, with Callum O’Mahony contributing an excellent score for Glenville.

The team then suffered a significant setback when influential forward Ciaran O’Leary was forced out through injury. Cobh finished the half strongly, adding two unanswered points to lead by 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval.

The second half continued in the same closely contested manner. Cobh moved three points clear shortly after the restart, but Glenville showed tremendous determination and refused to allow the gap to widen.

Points from Liam Foley, Callum O’Mahony, Dylan McCarthy and Ciaran Linehan kept Glenville firmly in contention. With two minutes remaining, however, Cobh broke forward to restore their three-point advantage, and time appeared to be running out for Glenville.

The players refused to accept defeat. Glenville won the final kick-out and Colin O’Keeffe created a goal opportunity. His initial effort was blocked, but Liam Foley reacted quickest and blasted the rebound into the net to level the game with the final kick.

The dramatic equaliser was a fitting reward for the determination and resilience shown by the entire squad. Glenville entered the game with several players unavailable to start through injury, but the spirit displayed by the group throughout the season was once again evident.

The result leaves the championship group wide open, with all four teams still in contention for qualification ahead of the final round of games on September 11th.

Team and scorers: D. Quirke; D. Sheehan, C. O’Regan, C. Cronin; S. Curtin, Conor O’Mahony, S. O’Leary; C. Fitzgerald (captain), D. O’Bric; C. Linehan (0-3), C. O’Leary, Callum O’Mahony (0-2); C. O’Keeffe, E. Fitzgerald, D. McCarthy (0-2).

Substitutes used: L. Foley (1-1), B. Ryan, E. Delahunt and R. McKenna.

YOUNG GLENVILLE SIDE EDGED OUT BY COBH

Michael O’Connor Motor Factors East Cork Junior B Football Championship, Round 2

Cobh 1-8

Glenville 1-7

Glenville returned to Lisgoold on Sunday morning to face Cobh in the second round of the East Cork Junior B Football Championship.

Following a difficult opening-round encounter, this was an opportunity for the players to put that disappointment behind them and produce a performance more reflective of their ability.

Glenville played with the advantage of the hill and the wind during the first half. Although the team created several good scoring opportunities, they were unable to make full use of the favourable conditions.

The highlight of Glenville’s first-half scoring was an excellent two-pointer from Dave Barry. Cobh proved more clinical when their chances arose and carried a three-point advantage into the interval, leading by 1-4 to 0-4.

A number of positional changes helped Glenville become more fluid and threatening during the second half. Luke McDermott made a major impact after moving into the full-forward line, contributing 1-1 as Glenville worked their way back into the contest.

The team created numerous scoring opportunities and continued to press for the result, but some resolute Cobh defending, combined with several missed chances, left Glenville agonisingly short at the final whistle.

Cobh held on to record a narrow 1-8 to 1-7 victory, but this was a significant improvement from Glenville’s opening championship performance.

With a large number of minors included in the starting team, this remains a very young side with considerable potential. The players can be extremely proud of the effort, creativity and determination they demonstrated throughout the game.

Team and scorers: C. Sheehan; D. O’Connor, Z. Curtin, W. Sheehy; C. McHugh, J. Counihan (0-1), L. McDermott (1-1); E. Forde, S. Callinan; P. Cahill (0-1), J. Hennebry (0-2), S. O’Callaghan; C. Gowen (captain), D. Barry (0-2), E. Fitzgerald.

Substitutes used: L. Guichard and F. Fitzgerald.

A Thriller in Clon

U16 Premier 2 Football Championship – Round 3

Glenville 2-09

Clonakilty 1-12

Glenville made the long journey to Clonakilty on Monday evening last to take on the home side in the third round of the U16 Premier 2 Football Championship.

Glenville began brightly, with an early goal from Alex giving us the perfect start. A fine point from Sam extended our advantage before Clonakilty opened their account and quickly added another.

Darren then cut through the home defence to kick a good point before tapping over another shortly afterwards, leaving Glenville ahead by 1-03 to 0-02 after ten minutes.

Clonakilty gradually began to get a grip on proceedings, with their forwards causing plenty of problems. They kicked four unanswered points before disaster struck for Glenville when a defensive lapse allowed the home side through for a goal.

We also lost Kallam Fahy to injury after 15 minutes, with Sean Fenton coming on in his place. Clonakilty were now on top and added three further points to lead by 1-09 to 1-03 at half-time.

Glenville had the benefit of a slight breeze in the second half. Following a few positional changes, there was a greater sense of purpose about our play from the restart.

After a few early chances went astray, Darren got the scoreboard moving with a well-taken point and added another shortly afterwards. Matthew followed with a point before Alex kicked an excellent score from the left.

Glenville had now come to grips with the dangerous Clonakilty forward line and kept the home side scoreless for the opening 18 minutes of the second half. The gap had been reduced to just two points, 1-09 to 1-07, while our substitutes were also making a real impact.

Clonakilty eventually ended their scoring drought with a free, moving three points ahead with ten minutes remaining. Good work from Liam and Ronan then earned Glenville a free, which Darren converted for a two-pointer to leave just one between the teams.

Clonakilty responded by squeezing over another point, but Glenville refused to give in. A sweeping move up the field ended with Sam being hauled down inside the penalty area. Darren stepped forward and dispatched the resulting penalty with aplomb, putting Glenville one point ahead with three minutes remaining.

Once again, Clonakilty dug deep and kicked the equalising score. Glenville had one final half-chance at the death but were unable to convert it, leaving the sides level after a thrilling contest.

This was a brilliant performance from Glenville against a fine Clonakilty side. Our lads competed for everything, particularly during an outstanding second-half display. There were excellent performances throughout the field, and all 21 players who togged out gave a wholehearted display on the night.

Well done to the team and management.

Top referee Cormac Dineen allowed the game to flow and did an excellent job throughout.

Final score:

Glenville 2-09

Clonakilty 1-12

Glenville team: Luke Ryan, Jack Sheehan, Jamie O’Callaghan, Tom Fennell, Alan Smith, Liam Moynihan, Conor Kearney, Alex Magner, Ronan Lehane, Eoghan O’Mahony, Kallam Fahy, Matthew Counihan, Dara O’Driscoll, Sam O’Leary, Darren Cahill, Sean Fenton, Danny Murphy, Cormac McCarthy, Alex Downey, Jack Sullivan and Pa O’Sullivan.

A fantastic win for our U14 footballers on Tuesday night as they edged Bride Rovers by two points in a thrilling East Cork Division 1 semi-final at Pynes.

Glenville started strongly, with Conan O'Mahony finding the net and points from Jacob Coleman, Ronan Cahill, Paddy Moynihan and Ben Wain helping us to a 1-7 to 1-4 half-time lead.

Bride Rovers came storming back after the break, scoring 2-1 without reply to move three points ahead, but Glenville showed great character to respond. Paddy Moynihan led the comeback before crucial late scores from Ronan Cahill, Paddy and Conan O'Mahony helped Glenville regain the advantage.

A determined defensive effort in the closing stages saw the lads hold on for a brilliant two-point victory and secure their place in the East Cork Division 1 Final.

Well done to all the players and coaches on a superb team performance and best of luck in the final!