Desmond’s magnificent late point saves Youghal

YOUGHAL snatched a dramatic draw with Tracton in an exhilarating Evening Echo Premier Cork Co IHC third round clash at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

Trailing for most of a super contest, Youghal patiently clawed their way back and, on the stroke of normal time Leigh Desmond hit over the equalising point from 80 metres out on the touchline.

It was a sensational climax to a stirring encounter between two evenly match sides. Indeed it would have been rough justice if either team had lost.

Youghal had the perfect start with a point in the opening seconds from centre-forward Eoin Coleman, but Tracton hit the front with a flurry of points from Ronan Walsh and Frank Walsh, who was outstanding on the right flank of attack.

There was precious little between them in the opening quarter but then full-forward Kieran Corrigan pounced for a splendid Tracton goal.

Richard Cunningham and wing-back Stephen Twomey hit over some beauties as Youghal recovered from Corrigan’s goal.

But Corrigan, now operating effectively at left half-forward, struck again to hit over two superlative points to leave Tracton leading 1-8 to 0-7. But with Youghal turning to play with the slight wind advantage there was still everything to play for.

Two points from Joe Grace and Leigh Desmond immediately after the resumption brought Youghal within two points of Tracton. But the south-east men hit back and Michael Desmond brilliantly billowed the Youghal net from close range in the 35th minute.

With scores flowing, Tracton maintained a five point advantage entering the closing quarter but then Youghal, inspired by outstanding substitute Brendan Ring, hit a purple patch and four points without reply from Ring, Eoin Coleman, Ring again and Richard Cunningham left just a point between them with eight minutes remaining.

It was nip and tuck all the way to the finish with Tracton holding firm with points of great quality from Frank Walsh and Joe Kingston and Youghal rallying with great scores from Ring and Eoin Coleman.

With the enthusiastic attendance on tenterhooks, Tracton had victory snatched from their eager grasps with Desmond’s life saving free conversion at the death.

Scorers: Tracton: K. Corrigan (1-3), M. Desmond (1-0), F. Walsh (0-4), J. Kingston (0-4), R. Walsh (0-1), S. Sullivan (0-1 free). Youghal: E. Coleman (0-5, 0-4 frees), L. Desmond (0-5, 0-3 frees), B. Ring (0-3), S. Twomey (0-2), R. Cunningham (0-2), J. Grace, A. Murphy (0-1 each).

TRACTON: M. Quinn; C. Lordan, D. Kelleher, R. Dwyer; P. Reilly, S. Sullivan, R. Cronin; F. Lynch, N. Collins; F. Walsh, J. Kingston, M. Desmond; R. Walsh, K. Corrigan, K. Lynch.

Sub: G. Kingston for R. Walsh.

YOUGHAL: C. Coleman; A. Geary, V. Murray, M. O’Brien; Barry Ring, B. Coleman, S. Twomey; D. Ring, JP Joyce; N. Roche, E. Coleman, M. O’Laochea; R. Cunningham, A. Murphy, L. Desmond.

Subs: J. Grace for O’Laochea, C. Casey for Roche, Brendan Ring for Geary.

Referee: J. Kearney (Na Piarsaigh).