Rovers cut loose to grab famous victory

Bride Rovers 1-15 Inniscarra 1-5

Held on a tight rein by Inniscarra in the opening quarter, Bride Rovers powered their way to the front with a crucial goal from wing-forward Pat Walsh in the 17th minute and never looked back.

This was a most accomplished performance by Bride Rovers on only their second appearance in an intermediate showpiece.

Their defence was magnificent, even after they lost full-back Niall Fitzgerald at the interval. Pádraig Murphy and Brian Murphy ruled the roost at midfield, while each of their forwards got their name on the scoresheet as they stampeded their way to glory.

When Inniscarra last appeared in the final in 1991, they were dramatically caught at the post by Tracton. Sadly, on this occasion, they fell woefully by the wayside and never looked capable of mounting a strong challenge once they found themselves on the back foot.

True, they gave as good as they got in the sprightly opening sequences, but when Bride Rovers began to exert the pressure, Inniscarra were found wanting.

Failure to win control at midfield was a severe setback, while their lack of penetration up front hastened their demise in a contest the new champions always looked destined to win once they hit the front.

Bride Rovers were leading by two points before Inniscarra received their first hammer-blow. Goalkeeper Kevin Murphy brilliantly saved from Barry Hazelwood and Terry Broderick before left-half-forward Pat Walsh ushered the second rebound to the net.

That goal was a huge blow to Inniscarra, but they rallied courageously and were more than a trifle unlucky when a blistering drive from corner-forward Diarmuid O’Riordan came back off the crossbar, just a minute after Walsh had given Bride Rovers the spur that led to ultimate victory.

Inniscarra did get a just reward for their endeavours, however, two minutes before the interval when Mark O’Sullivan latched on to a long floating ball from substitute Jonathan Olden to pierce Rovers’ net.

But then another calamity befell Inniscarra when they lost the talented services of team captain John Carey, again through injury, but the Muskerry side still looked to be in contention at half-time when they trailed 1-6 to 1-3 on what was an ideal day for hurling.

Crucially, however, O’Riordan, who had shown promise early on, failed to convert a 65 and from then on, Inniscarra were always fighting a losing battle.

Growing in confidence, mopping up loose ball all over the place, Bride Rovers extended their lead with two points from Hazelwood and Pádraig Murphy, who struck two gems from far out.

Now trailing 1-8 to 1-3, Darragh Holland gave Inniscarra a small semblance of hope when he pointed in the 39th minute. But it was not to be for a side that had admirably fought their way to the final with some thrilling victories during their roller-coaster campaign.

Inniscarra only managed to score one further point, from Mark O’Sullivan in the 43rd minute, while rampant Bride Rovers went on a scoring spree and a litany of points from Broderick, two from excellent team captain Seán Ryan, Pat Walsh, substitute Pat Cotter and Jerome O’Driscoll, who hit over a free on the stroke of full-time, brought the curtain down on the East Cork club’s greatest hour of glory.

Scorers: Bride Rovers: P. Walsh 1-1; J. O'Driscoll 0-3 (0-1 from free); B. Hazelwood 0-3 (0-2 from frees); P. Murphy 0-2; S. Ryan 0-2; T. Broderick 0-2; D. Ryan and P. Cotter 0-1 each.

Inniscarra: M. O'Sullivan 1-1; D. O'Riordan 0-2 (0-1 from free); P. O'Riordan and D. Holland 0-1 each.

BRIDE ROVERS: D. Fitzgerald; A. Collins, N. Fitzgerald, P. Barry; B. Walsh, Barry Murphy, J. Murphy; P. Murphy, Brian Murphy; D. Ryan, T. Broderick, P. Walsh; J. O'Driscoll, S. Ryan, B. Hazelwood. Subs. M. Hogan for N. Fitzgerald (injured); P. Cotter for Hazelwood; B. Johnson for Broderick.

INNISCARRA: K. Murphy; B. Linehan, G. Burke, K. O'Connell; J. Carey, J. O'Mahony, J. Cummins; P. O'Riordan, D. Buckley; S. Holland, J. Hogan, M. O'Sullivan; D. O'Riordan, D. Holland, D. O'Connell. Subs. J. Olden for Buckley; C. Holland for Carey (injured); M. O'Regan for Holland; R. Wall for Hogan.

Referee: W. Horgan (Brian Dillons).