Super Dineen stands tall for Ardfert as Erin’s Own pay penalty
The contest that had all the drama and all the passion of a Cork-Kingdom battle.
There were unbridled scenes from the Ardfert entourage on excellent referee Brian Tyrell’s final whistle. And how they deserved their moment for the agony and drama they were forced to endure.
Leading by a point with time almost up, after two fine points from the O’Connor brothers Cian and Mark had given their side hope, Ardfert were on their knees. And, when Erin’s Own were awarded a second penalty at the death, suddenly it was a very muted Ardfert bench.
Point for a replay, goal for glory - Mark O’Connor went for the latter. However, it proved costly for his shot was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Dermot Dineen. Shane Murphy was unable to convert the ‘45 and to unbelievable scenes Ardfert celebrated a famous victory after a game to remember.
No question keeper Dineen was the hero of the hour for Ardfert, for he also stopped a 20th minute penalty from Paul Fenton at a time when Erin’s Own were getting to grips with a stern opening charge from Ardfert. Those two great saves and Brian Moloney’s 49th minute goal proved the three steps to glory, but Erin’s Own can take heart for making it a game to remember.
Ardfert trainer Pat O’Driscoll was a hard man to find in an emotional crowd but selector Martin Ferris summed it all up. “What a fantastic game, what a result for Ardfert.
“This is a victory for the whole community in and around the parish who gave us every support. Everyone must have been out there today and while I am genuinely sorry for the Cork lads we’ll give it one good lash at retaining a title won by Finuge last season.”
A terrific start for Ardfert. Moving the ball skilfully and menacingly, they tore into Erin’s Own. However, their only return for a fabulous first five minutes was a Steve Wallace point - Shane Griffin missing two good chances. Griffin soon made amends though with a fine point and with Wallace adding a third the Cork champions already looked in big trouble. Strong in defence, with Simon Sinnott and Sean Flaherty taking no nonsense, Jonathon Best in top form at midfield and John Dowling working like a beaver around the half forward line, the Ardfert attack saw plenty of the ball and It took two mighty frees from Shane Murphy to get Erin’s Own back into the contest.
But it was Ardfert who continued to set the pace as a free from Wallace and a terrific point from James O’Halloran earned the Kerry champions a deserved 0-5 to 0-2 lead after the opening quarter.
Erin’s Own needed to make changes to stop the threat of Best and when Eoghan Murphy moved to midfield to join brother Kieran it changed the pattern of the game. With Cian O’Connor now at centre-back, there was a better shape to the Cork side and despite falling further behind to a 19th minute Dowling point they began to get a grip.
Twenty minutes into the contest a great move involving Eoghan Murphy, Mark O’Connor and Ciarán O’Leary saw the wing forward being foot blocked by Ardfert corner-back Sinnott. Referee Brian Tyrell awarded a penalty, but Dineen was equal to Fenton’s effort with a fine save, full-forward Kieran Murphy putting the rebound wide off the upright.
To add to their misery Shane Murphy missed a handy free and all they could muster before half-time was a huge Kieran Murphy free as Ardfert led 0-6 to 0-3 at the break.
If Ardfert were the better side in the first-half, it was Erin’s Own who ruled the roost in the second period, with Kieran Murphy giving an exhibition at midfield. Mark O’Connor finally got them a point from play in the 35th minute and Shane Murphy then followed with a free to reduce the gap to a point. But there was always menace in Ardfert and goalkeeper Patrick Walsh had to be smart to deny Brendan O’Flaherty in the 40th minute.
Wallace and Kieran Murphy, with another huge effort, then exchanged frees before the end of the final quarter and it was shaping into a mighty contest now. The game looked to be going Erin’s Own’s way when Shane Murphy tied up the scores with his fourth free in the 46th minute, but then Ardfert hit the Corkmen a deadly blow in the 49th minute when a long ball from Eamon Ferris dropped into the path of substitute Brian Moloney and he found the net for a crucial score.
Shane Murphy got one back with his fifth free and many sides would have cracked when Michael Moloney gave Ardfert a 1-8 to 0-8 lead with five minutes remaining. But Erin’s Own showed commendable spirit and, inspired by Cian O’Connor, the full-back reduced the gap, then his brother Mark brought it down to the minimum and in a welter of excitement and time almost up Fenton was upended after a teasing ball from Eoghan Murphy and the referee awarded penalty number two.
Mark O’Connor’s shot was well hit but again brilliantly saved by Dineen. And when Shane Murphy failed to convert the 45 there were unbelievable scenes as Ardfert celebrated a famous victory.
: Ardfert: S. Wallace 0-4 (0-3 frees), B. Moloney1-0, S. Griffin 0-1 (free), J. O’Halloran, J. Dowling, M. Moloney 0-1 each. Erin’s Own:S. Murphy 0-5 (frees), K. Murphy (0-2 frees), M. O’Connor 0-2, C. O’Connor 0-1.
: D. Dineen; S. Sinnott, C. Flaherty, J. Stack; S. Flaherty, E. Corridan, M. Moloney; J. Best, M. Ferris; B. O’Flaherty, E, Ferris, J. Dowling; S. Griffin, S. Wallace, J. O’Halloran. Subs: P. Donegan for Sinnott, B. Moloney for O’Halloran.
: P. Walsh; D. Dennehy, C. O’Connor, D. Mulcahy; P. Fitzgerald, P. Kelly, J. Lyons; K. Murphy, M. Mulcahy; C. O’Leary, E. Murphy, S. Murphy; M. O’Connor, K. Murphy, P. Fenton, Sub: M. Finn for Mulcahy.
: B. Tyrell (Tipperary).
