Hayes the hero for Mallow

Mallow2-13 St Vincent’s2-9

How they had transformed from being a defeated side seven days earlier against Inniscarra.

Jody Hayes again was the hero - the full-forward grabbing a goal in either half. And with seasoned colleagues Ronan Sheehan, Diarmuid Kerrisk, Johnny Walsh and Fergal McCormack much to the fore, this triumph was built on an even blend of experience and strength of mind.

Mallow had to plan minus the injured Tadhg O’Riordan (broken finger), with Brian Lane, Austin Ahern and Hayes getting starting slots. It was obvious from the outset that the attitude was right and despite only four points eventually separating the teams, the winners were always in control.

St Vincent’s lacked scoring quality with free-taker Anthony Buckley responsible for six of their count and substitute Brian Barry clinching their second goal in injury time. Otherwise, it was left to captain Wayne Murphy, Jason Daly, Stephen Rea and Frank Murphy to keep their hopes alive.

Mallow played with the wind in the opening half and led throughout. Ray O’Connell ensured the perfect start when he accepted a lovely flick on from his captain Walsh for their opening point. Dave McCarthy replied directly for Vincent’s and by the end of the quarter the Mallow men were worthy of their 0-5 to 0-2 lead.

Then came a crucial moment for the city side while they were temporarily down to 14 men as centre-back Daly received attention for a facial cut on the sideline. Ronan Galvin took off on a daring solo run down the middle, he released to Ahern before Hayes finished the move to the net. It set the Mallow boys up for an interval lead of 1-8 to 0-6.

The North Cork outfit resumed with Sheehan joining Clive Kerrisk at midfield and Brian Carey moving to the forty. Both sides exchanged points before the Vincent’s keeper, Jonathan O’Callaghan was forced to make his second point blank save of the night - this time from Shane Leahy. However, his good fortune eluded him moments later when Hayes collected a massive McCormack free to kick to the net.

Although, Stephen Rea, and later Barry struck for two St Vincent’s goals, they were always playing catch-up and try as they might they could never reduce the margin to less than four.

Scorers Mallow: J Hayes 2-1, R O’Connell 0-4 (0-2 frees), A Ahern, R Sheehan and R Galvin 0-2 each, J Walsh and B Carey 0-1 each.

St Vincent’s: A Buckley 0-6 (0-5 frees), S Rea 1-1, B Barry 1-0, D O’Callaghan and D McCarthy 0-1.

MALLOW: C Sheehan; M O'Halloran, M McCormack, B Lane; J Walsh (capt), F McCormack, D Kerrisk; C Kerrisk, B Carey; R Galvin, R Sheehan, R O'Connell; A Ahern, J Hayes, S Leahy.

ST VINCENT'S: J O'Callaghan; F O'Connell, K Goulding, W Murphy (capt); T O'Mahony, J Daly, A Cotter; C Hartnett, F Murphy; D O'Callaghan, S Rea, D McCarthy; A Buckley, A McCarthy, T Hornibrook. Subs: C Barry for D McCarthy (38 mins), B Barry for A McCarthy (61mins).

Referee: P Downey (Inniscarra).