Delight for clinical Canovee, heartache for brave Kildorrery

JOY for Canovee, who won the Cork Co JFC title for the first time since 1968 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday. But what a heartbreaking experience it was for defeated finalists Kildorrery.

Raw courage claimed the day for Canovee, inspired by the heroics of midfielder Eamonn Lyons, particularly in the second-half, but Kildorrery came agonisingly close to triumphing over adversity.

Kildorrery lost the services of midfielder Michael Monaghan with a broken leg midway through the first-half.

But they battled to the bitter end and created enough chances to win a score of games.

This was not destined to be Kildorrery’s day simply because their scoring touch completely deserted them, while Canovee made maximum use of the chances that came their way. That is the principle reason why they are celebrating today.

Although corner-forward Con Monaghan gave Kildorrery the perfect start with a point after just 50 seconds, the Avondhu side failed to press home their early territorial advantage, with the outstanding Jerry McCarthy powering them forward from the back.

With Austin Walsh orchestrating their forward moves to perfection, Kildorrery looked in great shape, but, unfortunately, left two great scoring opportunities go a-begging in the early stages as Canovee struggled to come to grips with their game.

But Canovee, with the heart of lions, doggedly held on and the sides were level before Monaghan’s injury at the end of the first quarter which resulted in an 11 minute stoppage.

Although obviously in great pain, Monaghan rose from the stretcher ferrying him to hospital to galvanise the Kildorrery supporters and his team mates, who responded on the field of play.

But, again, Kildorrery, who kicked seven wides in the first-half and ended up with a total of 14 overall, failed to put their opponents to the sword.

Continuously left off the hook, Canovee responded with a vengeance and following a great forward movement involving Kevin Walsh and Con Dunne wing forward Tom O’Mahony was left with the simplest of passes to billow the Kildorrery net.

Pat Dunlea added a point from a free to stretch Canovee’s lead to four points, but three points without reply from Jeremiah Aherne, Stephen Coughlan, and Andrew O’Brien, brought Kildorrery thundering back. Only the bare minimum, 1-3 to 0-5 in Canovee’s favour, separated them at the break.

After the resumption full-forward Andrew O’Brien brought the sides level when he pointed a free. It was now nip and tuck stuff. Kildorrery hit the front with a point from substitute Paudie Hanley, but with Lyons now coming into his own with some great fielding and intelligent lay-off play Canovee, with three points from Lyons, Pat Dunlea, who converted a free, and Kevin Walsh left two points between them entering the closing quarter.

And what a period of play it was. With midfielder Peter O’Brien working his socks off Kildorrery strove desperately to turn the tables. They hit the post and were denied a goal when excellent goalkeeper Tim Lyons saved a close range effort from Con Moynihan with a great body block.

Moynihan pointed, however, in the 54th minute to leave just one between them again. Now it was dramatic as both sides strove to get their hands on the cup.

Goalkeeper Lyons once again came to Canovee’s rescue with another brilliant save as Kildorrery tore forward in attack. The goal posts denied them and equaliser and it was finally all over for them when Canovee wing forward Denis O’Sullivan kicked over the insurance point two minutes into injury time.

Scorers: Canovee: T O’Mahony 1-0, D O’Sullivan 0-3, P Dunlea 0-2 (0-2 frees), K Walsh 0-2, E Lyons 0-1. Kildorrery: C Monaghan 0-3, S Coughlan 0-2 (0-2 frees), A O’Brien, P Hanley, J Aherne, P O’Brien (free) 0-1 each.

CANOVEE: Tim Lyons, J McCarthy, J Scanlon, Timmy Lyons, J O’Brien, T Murphy, B Ahern, E Lyons, B O’Donoghue, C Dunne, T O’Mahony, D O’Sullivan, P Healy, K Walsh, P Dunlea.

Sub: D Cahill for Healy.

KILDORRERY: B Hannon, S Kent, D White, J McCarthy, R McEniry, F Walsh, E O’Connor, M Monaghan, P O’Brien, S Fitzgerald, A Walsh, S Coughlan, C Monaghan, A O’Brien, J Aherne.

Sub: P Hanley for Monaghan (Inj).

Referee: C Lane (Buttevant).