Youghal edge out Cobh in thriller

Youghal 1-16, Cobh 1-12

Played with great passion, it was clear both teams were intent on gaining compensation for their first-round defeats. With the game level on nine occasions, the large crowd at Killeagh were enthralled right to the end.

Consider too that Youghal's goal came three minutes into injury time and moments earlier Pat Sloane, who already had shown his precision as a free-taker for Cobh, agonisingly watched his acutely-angled attempt for an equaliser go narrowly wide.

Understandably, Cobh will be dejected. They looked likely winners when goal-scorer Brendan Meaney shot them into the lead at the three-quarter stage, but then came unstuck as Youghal battled courageously right to the finish. The match was a very sporting affair but was blemished at the final whistle when referee Willie Horgan was forced to dismiss Cobh full-back Terry Anderson and Youghal number 14 Conor Coleman.

The two sides were slow to settle and shot five wides before they shared three points apiece. However, also significant at this stage was the contribution of both centre-forwards Brendan Coleman doing well for Youghal and Derek Barrett for Cobh, although the latter faded in the second half.

Youghal were thrown a lifeline during these early stages when keeper Michael Mulcahy made a brilliant save after Richard Meaney was set up by John Griffin. Then, with two Eoin Coleman points, they took the lead for the first time after 17 minutes, 0-5 to 0-3. Sloane soon had the sides back on level terms, Barrett nosed Cobh in front and with Sloane again on form they stole the advantage, 0-7 to 0-5.

But a hectic five minutes before half-time brought vital scores from Micheál Ó Laochdha, two wonderful long-range frees from wing-back Damien Ring and a point from Brendan Coleman to give Youghal a two-point advantage at the break.

The leaders restarted nervously, hitting three bad wides, while Cobh levelled the game with two placed balls from Sloane. Eoin Coleman performed a similar act to push Youghal back in front, 0-11 to 0-9.

Approaching the final 15 minutes, the game got the tonic it needed a goal from full-forward Brendan Meaney. When Mick Daly followed up with his second point of the night, it appeared that the pendulum was swinging in Cobh's favour. But the Youghal response was splendid, with Eoin Coleman and then Brendan Meaney tying up the game again.

As the contest entered the final five minutes the tension was unbearable. Owen O'Connell gave the lead back to Cobh but Youghal, spurred on by corner-backs Vincent Murray and Stephen Twomey, regained a two-point advantage, only for Sloane to deny them again. Then Coleman coolly slotted over an important free.

As the play moved to the other end Sloane was handed a slightly more difficult opportunity out on the left wing. His shot went wide of the right post. As the game hung on the balance John Paul Joyce sealed the issue for Youghal with his goal at the death.

Scorers - Youghal: E Coleman 0-7 (0-6 frees), B Coleman 0-4, J P Joyce 1-0, D Ring 0-2 (frees), M Downing, J Grace and M Ó Laochdha 0-1 each.

Cobh: P Sloane 0-6 (frees), B Meaney 1-0, D Barrett and M Daly 0-2 each, R Meaney and O O'Connell 0-1 each.

YOUGHAL: M Mulcahy; V Murray, M O'Brien, S Twomey; A Geary, A Murphy, D Ring; J P Joyce, M Downing; J Grace, B Coleman, E Coleman; M Ó Laochdha, C Coleman, Barry Ring.

Subs: Brendan Ring for Barry Ring (45 mins).

COBH: P Looney; T Byrne, T Anderson, L Greaney; D O'Rourke, M Daly, M O'Connell; A Walley, J Griffin; J Meaney, D Barrett, P Sloane; R Meaney, B Meaney, B Ahern.

Subs: P Meaney for J Griffin (41 mins), S Donnachie for R Meaney (43 mins), J Ahern for T Anderson (blood sub 50 mins), O O'Connell for B Meaney (53 mins), T Anderson for J Ahern (56 mins).

Referee: W Horgan (Brian Dillons).