Boherbue retain their title

BOHERBUE CS retained their Munster Vocational Schools Junior A football title with a thrilling one-point victory over Coachford VS at storm-tossed Kilmichael yesterday.

But the champions can thank their lucky stars that goalkeeper Peter Hannon was in unbeatable form.

Although wing-forward Andrew Meade gave Boherbue a head-start with an early point, Coachford — aided by the elements — took control and swept into a seven-point lead.

With Michael Denneny and Stephen Dennehy excelling at midfield and corner-forward Darragh Ring — who scored five points — sparkling up front, Coachford were lording it but an opportunist goal from left-half forward Miceal Geaney shortly before the break brought Boherbue thundering back into the proceedings.

It was 0-8 to 1-1 in Coachford’s favour at the break and with Boherbue unable to make any telling in-roads after the resumption, the champions crown began to waver precariously and but for the inspirational heroics of Hannon it is highly unlikely that they would have held on to win.

Four points still separated them 10 minutes from the end but a penalty from midfielder Daniel Fitzgerald threw Boherbue a lifeline and they proceeded to turn in a storming finish.

Centre forward Gene Casey levelled matters with a fine equalising point and Boherbue excitingly claimed victory with a late point from wing- forward Andrew Meade. But what heartbreak for Coachford.

Scorers: Boherbue CS. D. Fitzgerald 1-0 (1-0 from penalty); M. Geaney 1-0; A. Meade 0-2; G. Casey 0-2; D. Walsh 0-1. Coachford VC. D. Ring 0-5; A. Deasy 0-2; M. Deasy, J. Corkery and M. Dennehy 0-1 each.

BOHERBUE CS: P. Hannon; JP Murphy, B. O’Sullivan, J. Carroll; J. Corcoran, D. Casey, M. Moynihan; D. Fitzgerald, TJ. Brosnan; A. Meade, G. Casey, M. Geaney; D. Carroll, D. Walsh, E. Brosnan. Substitutes. C. Ahern for E. Brosnan; T. O’Keeffe for D. Carroll; P. Murphy for Geaney.

COACHFORD VC: W. Murphy; S. O’Connor, A. Barry-Murphy, K. Horgan; S. Connor, D. Murphy, M. Long; M. Dennehy, S. Dennehy; L. Cogan, A. Deasy, P. Fitzgibbon; D. Ring, M. Deasy, J. Corkery.

Referee: M. Collins (Clonakilty).