Na Piarsaigh league win marred by brawl
It was a typical end-of-season contest between two teams looking to salvage something from a year that promised so much, but was marred by some disgraceful scenes early in the second-half.
All hell broke loose after Dohenys player Stephen Collins was yellow-carded for retaliation, and it spilled onto the bank with fighting between rival supporters.
It looked as if the game might not end, but wiser counsel prevailed. After order was finally restored David Gardiner (Na Piarsaigh) and Michael O'Donovan (Dohenys) were ordered off, but at least six others can count themselves lucky not to have made the same walk.
At the time of the incident, Piarsaigh were leading 1-4 to 0-4 and struggling to contain a revitalised Dohenys side, but despite being reduced to 13 players for the last 10 minutes after Gary Sheehan received a second yellow card, the city side hung on for a deserved victory.
Despite playing against the strong wind in the opening half, Na Piarsaigh made all the early running, and had their finish marched their approach work they kicked five wides in the first 10 minutes they would have won far more convincingly.
With Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Leonard Cunningham giving them a grip at midfield, John Gardiner who turned in a most impressive hour, kicked a early point for the city side.
Operating at left corner forward Gardiner posed endless problems for the Dohenys defence and it was from his pass in the 11th minute that Iasakie Ó hAilpín grabbed his side only goal.
With Cian O'Mahony sparkling on the wing Piarsaigh stretched their lead to 1-3 to nil in front after 20 minutes, but they failed to add to their tally as Dohenys came more into the game following the introduction of Michael O'Donovan to left corner back, where he succeeded in curtailing Iasakie Ó hAilpín.
The West Cork side finally got on the scoreboard with a Seán Farr point in the 20th minute, and finished the half on top, but trailed 1-3 to 0-2 at the break.
Dohenys resumed the second half with a bit more fire and after John Collins reduced the deficit with a point, Piarsaigh were grateful for a goal-line save by Robert Healy after their keeper completely misjudged Collins' high lob from 30 metre out.
Without a score since the 15th minute, Piarsaigh finally added to their tally when John Gardiner kicked a point in the 36th minute.
In the 38th minute, players from both sides waded into each other after Dohenys Stephen Collins was yellow carded for lashing out at an opponent.
When order was finally restored, five minutes later, Iasakie Ó hAilpín should have goaled a second time but was denied by a excellent save by keeper Dara Farr.
Back came the Dunmanway side and when Ronan O'Sullivan's long delivery came across the face of the Piarsaigh square, Michael Farr got his fist to it for a goal which left just the minimum between the sides with five minutes of normal time to go. 13-man Piarsaigh played the possession game to perfection in the remaining 11 minutes six had been added for the earlier incident before John Gardiner capped a fine individual performance with a point just on the call of time.
Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: J. Gardiner 0-5 (0-3 frees); I. Ó hAilpín 1-0; C. O'Mahony 0-1.Dohenys: M. Farr 1-0; K. Murray 0-2; S. Farr, J. Collins 0-1 each.
NA PIARSAIGH: G. O'Sullivan; Shane O'Sullivan, M. Sullivan, R. Healy; S. Glasgow, S. McLoughlin, Stephen O'Sullivan; S. Óg Ó hAilpín, L. Cunningham; C. O'Mahony, D. Gardiner, C. Fitzgerald; I. Ó hAilpín, C. O'Sullivan, J. Gardiner. Subs. G. Sheehan for Cunningham; G. Casey for Stephen O'Sullivan; K. Butterworth for A. Ó hAilpín.
DOHENYS: D. Farr; P. Murray, D. Donovan, P. Connolly; R. O'Sullivan, D. Lyons, N. Collins; D. Healy, J. Collins; S. Collins, P. Deane, J. Collins; S. Far, K. Murray, S. Lordan. Subs. T. Donovan for Lordan; M. O'Donovan for P. Murray; M. Farr for J. Collins.
Referee: M. Collins (Clonakilty).
