Ilen battlers call tune in derby

Ilen Rovers 0-12 Dohenys 1-8

It appeared a draw might be on the cards as the game went into injury time, but at that point last year’s beaten finalists were struggling.

They were in total control throughout the first half and were 1-4 to the good before Ilen Rovers managed their first score.

Then, in an amazing turnaround, they failed to score for almost 40 minutes as their neighbours took over ownership of the ball and might have put the game totally beyond reach but for some extravagant short passing.

Indeed it appeared as if their short passing game might prove their downfall in the opening half when they failed to convert their share of possession on to the scoreboard.

While Ilen Rovers dazzled the opposition during that period, Dohenys were more direct and split the defence open with piercing runs resulting in some well-taken scores from ace marksman Gerard McCarthy, midfielder Pat Collins, Michael Milner and Daniel O’Donovan.

They dominated whatever aerial contests developed, with Collins brilliant in the air, and whenever they dropped the high ball into the goalmouth the Ilen Rovers defence looked to be in trouble.

They were gifted with a goal from one such movement when a free by Pat Collins was fielded magnificently by Daniel O’Donovan on the edge of the square. When he turned to face the ‘keeper, he was fouled by a jittery defence and Gerard McCarthy made no mistake with the penalty.

With McCarthy well marked, Collins, Milner and Daniel O’Donovan picked off points and Dohenys were 1-4 ahead before Kevin O’Sullivan opened Ilen Rovers’ account from a free after 14 minutes.

Brian O’Sullivan followed up with Ilen Rovers’ second point a minute later but Gerard McCarthy had a superb point from a free close to the right sideline in reply. They might have had a goal but for a great save from Gary Coakley from a point-blank shot by Daniel O’Donovan at the end of a piercing movement involving Donal O’Sullivan and Gerard McCarthy.

Pat Collins pointed from the rebound and that was Dohenys’ last point until the 59th minute as Ilen Rovers came storming into the game.

They were now taking the ball away from Dohenys and when Brian O’Sullivan and Kevin O’Sullivan added points there were just four points between the sides going into the break.

With the O’Driscolls, Liam and Conor, driving the game forward from the half-back line, Fachtna Collins and David Coughlan in control around the centre of the field and John Wycherley, Kevin O’Sullivan and Brian O’Sullivan causing mayhem in attack, Dohenys were struggling to stem the tide now flowing against them.

Ilen Rovers drew level at the start of the third quarter through a fisted point from Edward Sheehy and went three points clear before Dohenys got a rally going.

Centre-back Michael O’Donovan rose high to field the ball deep in the Dohenys half and his clearance found Gerard McCarthy, who was fouled, and he duly pointed the free — their first score since the first half.

With less than two minutes remaining McCarthy was wide from a free for a foul on midfielder Pat Collins but he pointed the next and suddenly a draw appeared possible.

But a succession of sideline kicks came to nothing as Ilen Rovers played out the remainder of injury time to set up a semi-final clash with Duhallow.

Scorers for Ilen Rovers: K O’Sullivan 0-8 (0-5 frees), C O’Driscoll, E Sheehy, B O’Sullivan, D Duggan 0-1 each.

Dohenys: G McCarthy 1-4 (1-2 frees), P Collins, M Milner, D O’Sullivan, D O’Donovan 0-1 each.

ILEN ROVERS: G Coakley; D Murphy, Diarmuid Duggan, F O’Donovan; C O’Driscoll, L O’Driscoll, J Sheehy; F Collins, D Coughlan; K Daly, J Wycherley, E Sheehy; Donie Duggan, K O’Sullivan, B O’Sullivan.

Subs: D Whooley for F O’Donovan (20 mins); S Holland for K Daly (injured 27 mins); S Casey for Donie Duggan (32 mins).

DOHENYS: D Farr; C Collins, D Lyons, A Murray; T O’Donovan, M O’Donovan, P Dean; M Farr, P Collins; M Milner, D Nyhan, D Healy; D O’Donovan, D O’Sullivan, G McCarthy.

Subs: R O’Sullivan for T O’Donovan (36 mins), N Collins for P Dean (47 mins), P McCarthy for D Nyhan (52 mins).

Referee: C McAllister (Aghada).