O’Keeffe stars as Imokilly overpower CIT

COUNTY champions, Newtownshandrum had scouts at Páirc Uí Rinn last night casting an eye over the opposition for their upcoming Evening Echo SHC quarter-final clash.

While they enjoyed a healthy margin at the end of a disappointing game, Imokilly will hope to step up a notch when they face the champions. They will want to build on some good spells, particularly in the first half when they raced to a 1-11 to 0-2 lead.

CIT did not register their first score until the 24th minute when Kevin Canty sent over a nice point but almost immediately Pierce O’Neill from Aghada rounded the full-back and hammered the sliotar to the net for the game’s only goal that killed off hopes of an immediate resurgence from the college side.

It appeared at that point as if the fight had been sucked out of them as Imokilly scored points at will. At the end of play all eight East Cork players would have their names on the scoresheet with nine points registered on behalf of corner forward, Trevor O’Keeffe, who was deadly accurate from placed balls.

And, throughout the first half, the East Cork side were dominant in every area. Jason Barrett and Damien Ring reigned supreme at midfield. Noel Furlong from Watergrasshill was a tower of strength at centre back between two attacking wing backs, Paddy O’Regan and Brendan Coleman.

Before the game began their half-forward line was decimated with all three listed players, Ger O’Leary, Niall McCarthy and Sean O’Callaghan injured, but this did not affect their scoring prowess in the first half.

The second half, however, was a different proposition. CIT, who earned a draw with a last gasp point from a 65 the previous day, came out with all guns blazing. Maurice O’Sullivan (four) and Frank Flannery had five points without as much as a whimper from Imokilly who had a point in the 37 minute from Trevor O’Keeffe.

That score only punctuated CIT’s run and at the end of the third quarter the margin was reduced to five points 1-13 to 0-11. The scene was set for a thrilling finish but Imokilly closed with points from Jason Barrett, Brian Morrissey and Lee Desmond to run out comfortable winners.

Scorers: Imokilly: T. O’Keeffe 0-9 (0-6 frees), P. O’Neill 1-1; B. Morrissey and L. Desmond 0-2 each, B. Coleman, J. Barrett, S. O’Farrell, B. Ring 0-1 each. CIT: M. O’Sullivan 0-8 (0-6 frees), V. Hurley, F. Flannery, K. Canty, E. Chawke and M. Dunne 0-1 each.

IMOKILLY: C. Coleman (Youghal); S. Flannery (Carrigtwohill), S. O’Leary (Watergrasshill), B. O’Driscoll (Fr. O’Neill’s); P. O’Regan (Watergrasshill), N. Furlong (Carrigtwohill), B. Coleman (Youghal); J. Barrett (Cobh), D. Ring (Youghal); L. Desmond (Youghal), S. O’Farrell(Carrigtwohill), P. O’Neill (Aghada); B. Ring (Youghal), B. Morrissey (Aghada), T. O’Keeffe (Aghada).

Subs: J. Halbert (Watergrasshill) for S. Farrell.

CIT: A. Nash; D. Murphy, J. Murphy, E. O’Sullivan; E. Dillon, V. Hurley, A. O’Sullivan; F. Flannery, P. O’Flynn; B. O’Dwyer, M. O’Sullivan, K. Canty; R. Butler, M. O’Connell, E. Chawke.

Subs: E. Manning for P. O’Flynn, M. Dunne for B. O’Dwyer; J. Murphy for M. O’Connell; D. Hayes for A. O’Sullivan.

Referee: Dave Farrell (Mitchelstown).