Great Long goal gives Scoil Ruane the edge

Scoil Ruane, Killenaule 3-9

Scoil Ruane won but not before a resolute St Brogans side had cut an 11-point half-time deficit down to two by the three-quarter stage and were denied a lead goal by an excellent save from Killenaule ‘keeper Gary Kennedy.

Ruane, backed by the driving wind and rain, laid the foundations for their victory in the opening half, at the end of which they led 2-7 to 0-2. Defensively the Tipp lads were superb, with Mark McCormack, Jonathan O’Brien and Niall Teehan revelling in the heavy going.

The excellence of Michael Heffernan and Jamie McCormack ensured they won the midfield battle, while in attack, John Hourihan and Shane Long caught the eye.

Using the elements well, Scoil Ruane were quickly into their stride, and John Houlihan’s goal in the 13th minute helped his side a 1-3 to 0-1 lead.

The Scoil Ruane forwards, particularly John Houlihan, continued to score freely and Keith Houlihan’s goal in the 25th minute helped his side to a 2-7 to 0-2 half-time lead.

The Bandon mentors tried to remedy their midfield deficiencies by bringing full-back Anthony Nyhan out and moving Owen Manning back. This worked so well that by the end of the third quarter they had cut the deficit to just two points with goals from Danny Cahalane and Cathrach Keane along with a brace of points by Brian Canty.

Scoil Ruane were forced to defend stoutly in the face of the relentless Brogans pressure and they were grateful for some great play by Mark McCormack and Niall Teehan in particular before they finally got their first score of the second half in the 49th minute when Shane Long pointed.

It eased the pressure considerably on an overworked defence and Long showed marvellous skill two minutes later in beating a couple of defenders before blasting home his side’s third goal which effectively killed off the Brogans revival.

Scorers - Scoil Ruane: J. Houlihan 1-4; S. Long, K. Houlihan 1-2 each; J. Coleman 0-1. St. Brogans: B. Canty 0-5 (0-2 frees); D. Cahalane, C. Keane 1-0 each; K. Canty, C. O’Leary 0-1 each.

SCOIL RUANE: G. Kennedy; M. McCormack, J. O’Brien, M. Maher; E. Stokes, N. Teehan, K. Kennedy; M. Heffernan, J. McCormack; M. O’Brien, M. O’Connor, J. Coleman; J. Houlihan, K. Houlihan, S. Long. Sub. S. Cahill for Maher.

ST. BROGANS: S. O’Halloran; N. O’Flynn, A. Nyhan, M. Sheehan; C. Moloney, S. Cronin, T. Crowley; O. Manning, P. Keane; B. Canty, J. Kelleher, D. O’Driscoll; K. O’Leary, K. Canty, J. O’Donovan; Sub. D. Cahalane for Moloney.

Referee, M. Meade (Ballylanders).