Kildorrery bridge 24-year gap

Kildorrery 3-17 Harbour Rovers 1-10

On Saturday in Kilworth they were convincing winners over neighbours Harbour Rovers in claiming their ninth divisional title almost 50 years to the day after their first one. From the start the physically stronger Kildorrery took control.

The first goal came in the second minute when Dave Kelly and Eamon O’Connor worked well for James McEniry to goal. Kildorrery, with a period of sustained pressure in the half-back and midfield sectors, closed out any chance of a Rovers recovery and by the eighth minute they led 1-3 to 0- 0.

Sean O’Keeffe opened Glanworth’s account with a point. At this stage Kildorrery were well in control at midfield and moved 1-6 to 0-1 ahead after 18 minutes with three points by Peter O’Brien. Thomas Condon pointed two frees for Rovers. Kildorrery struck for their second goal when a long puckout by Sean Walsh found Peter O’Brien who soloed through and netted.

In the closing moments a well-taken sideline by Brian Gallagher was gathered by Sean Óg Quinn who pointed to leave it 2-8 to 0-4 at the break. Even though Harbour Rovers had the wind in the second-half they were under pressure. Kildorrery piled it on with Dave Kelly and Eamon O’Connor adding early points. Harbour Rovers had a long range point by Dave Pyne but a great clearance by Michael Lillis saw Dave Kelly reply and open up a 12-point lead, 2-12 to 0- 6. Thomas Condon pointed a 65 but they needed goals and there was no way through a solid Kildorrery defence.

Denis Gallagher was denied by a good save by Sean Walsh. Good work by John Blackburne and Stephen Dunne led to a good point by Ross Murphy.

In the 45th minute Thomas Condon pointed a free. Two minutes later Michael Lillis and Dave Kelly combined well for Peter O’Brien to goal as there would be no denying Kildorrery their rather easy win.

Scorers for Kildorrery: P O’Brien 2-8 (1f) D Kelly 0-5, R McEniry 1-1, E O’Connor 0-2, J O’Sullivan 0-1.

Scorers for Harbour Rovers: T Condon 0-6 (4fs, 1 65) D Pyne 1-1, R Murphy, S Óg Quinn, S O’Keeffe 0-1 each.

KILDORRERY: S Walsh; L Kelly, S Fitzgerald, N Kelly; T Monaghan, M Lillis, C O’Baoill; J McCarthy, M Walsh; E O’Connor, P O’Brien, S Kelly; D Kelly, J McEniry, F Stapleton.

Subs: J O’Sullivan for S Kelly, W Fouhy for J McEniry, D Roche for F Stapleton, L O’Keeffe for N Kelly, N Dunne for D Kelly.

HARBOUR ROVERS: S O’Riordan; B O’Keeffe, D Healy, D Leahy; S O’Keeffe, B Gallagher, P Blackburne; T Condon, S Dunne; S Óg Quinn, D Pyne, R Murphy; D Gallagher, A Sheehan, E Sheehan.

Subs: J Blackburne for D Leahy, M Roche for E Sheehan, A Condon for S Óg Quinn, FJ O’Flynn for Ross Murphy.

Referee: Simon Stokes (Milford)