Goulding guides Éire Óg to glory

Éire Óg 0-14 Rockchapel 0-06

Back then, the Ovens side kicked 14 points, as they did in Saturday’s final at Páirc Uí Rinn, while Rockchapel had seven white flags. The goal-count was four to one for the men in maroon though, and they advanced to the semi-final. Speaking last week, Éire Óg manager Harry O’Reilly cited the new defensive tightness as the main improvement this year and this was the culmination of a huge effort, which saw them allow just two goals in five championship games. Only two more were conceded in the league.

On Saturday, it took a while for O’Reilly’s side to click into gear in front of the posts, with the first quarter bringing them just one point and three wides. It wasn’t until early in the second half that they took control in an attacking sense, but the excellent defending ensured they never looked like ceding the initiative. The pressure applied on the Rockchapel forwards was exemplary, with numerous forays forward by the Duhallow side breaking down due to good blocks in defence. Importantly, it was focused pressure, with no needless fouls.