Fachtna’s keep their cool to put out Flannan’s fire
The Skibbereen college were two goals down at half time and looked in danger of going out. But showing marvellous composure and superb football skill, they hit over nine points in a row to set up a semi-final against St Brendan’s next month.
Flannan’s will be disappointed at failing to cause an upset. They were the better side in the opening half and well worth their 2-4 to 0-4 half-time lead. But they failed to add to their tally in the second-half as Fachtnas’ class became evident.
The winners had many heroes, particular in attack. Brian Dwyer kicked six points, Ger O’Donovan chipped in with three, while Seamus Hurley added a brace as all three forwards made a major contribution.
Defensively, Fachtna’s did well after a shaky start, and it was the ability of their half backs, in particular Chris Hayes and David Limrick, to get forward which turned this game around.
Flannan’s threw the gauntlet down to Fachtna’s from the throw-in. Playing no-nonsense first time football, they stormed into a 0-2 lead after just thee minutes and the West Cork side knew they had a battle on their hands.
However, Fachtna’s were level after 10 minutes playing the possession game very well, but were rocked by a Flannan’s goal two minutes later.
A quick free from defence came to Colin Ryan and despite the close attention of his marker, he found the Fachtna’s net with a powerful kick.
Ryan was a handful at corner forward for the Fachtna’s defence and with the Skibb attack unable to make any head against a solid Flannan’s defence, in which Brian Carrig and Seamus Hickey were superb, the Ennis college shocked their more fancied opponents with a second goal.
It came from a penalty for a needless challenge on Colin Ryan who sent the Fachtna’s keeper the wrong way with a splendid kick, helping his side to a six-point half time lead.
As the wind rose for the second half, so did the Fachtnas challenge. Despite the huge deficit, they continued to play superb inter-passing football, and were camped in the Flannan’s defence for long periods.
The incessant pressure took time to tell but with Chris Hayes and David Limrick powering forward from defence at every opportunity, the points began to flow.
The dominance of Damien O’Neill at midfield, coupled with the brilliance of Brian Dwyer from play and frees, saw Fachtna’s draw level for the third time with nine minutes to go. Flannan’s managed a couple of forages but their forwards were never given the same latitude they enjoyed in the opening half.
Fachtna’s forwards added three more points in the closing minutes to fashion a victory that didn’t look likely at half time.
Scorers: St Fachtnas: B Dwyer 0-6 (0-3 frees); G O’Donovan 0-3 (0-1 free); S Hurley, D O’Neill 0-2 each.
St Flannans: C Ryan 2-0 (1-0 pen); C Dillon 0-2 (0-1 free); N Killeen, P Moloney 0-1 each.
ST FACHTNA’S: D O’Mahony; M Cahalane, S O’Neill, P. O’Driscoll; C Hayes, D Limrick, C O’Driscoll; L. O’Driscoll, D O’Neill; C O’Driscoll, B Dwyer, C Crowley; S Hurley, G O’Donovan, N Kearney. G O’Regan for Kearney.
ST FLANNAN’S: C Clancy; C Madden, B Carrig, K Rafter; M Keane, G Lyons, S Hickey; G. Hannigan, N Killeen; C Donnellan, F Brennan, D O’Halloran; P Moloney, C Dillon, C Ryan. Subs. C Kelly for Moloney; S O’Regan for Donnellan.
Referee: M Meade (Ballylanders).
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