Lynch goal swings it Piarsaigh’s way
Carrig, making their debut in the senior championship, were expected to find the going extremely difficult, but they put up a brave effort before running out of steam in the last The sides were level twice inside the opening three minutes. Carrig played with two in the full-forward line, withdrawing Frank Flannery as an extra midfield. The ploy worked in that Flannery won a lot of possession, but the ball came out of the Piarsaigh defence as quickly as it went in as John Gardiner cleared his lines with ease.
Carrig were level for the third time at 0-5 apiece at the end of the opening quarter and well in contention. John Paul O’Riordan was a commanding figure at full-back, while up front Robert White gave Sean Óg Ó hAilpín a bit of a run around, finishing with three points, all from play.
Piarsaigh were grateful Padraig Gould was on song in their attack. Along with Colin Lynch, he showed marvellous skill, hitting a succession of points to ease their side 0-8 to 0-6 in front coming to half time.
However, the game took a dramatic turn in Piarsaigh’s favour in the closing minutes. A superb line ball by Ronan McGregor dropped in behind the Carrig defence to the unmarked Colin Lunch and he billowed the net helping the city side to a flattering 1-9 to 0-6 half-time lead.
The goal was a cruel blow for Carrig who had given as good as they got in that opening half, but it all went wrong in the second half despite White having the opening score.
Piarsaigh’s hurling was far sharper on the changeover and, in a great seven minute spell, they hit four points in a row, two by the impressive Padraig Gould, to put further daylight between the sides after 40 minutes.
Carrig badly needed a goal but never threatened Piarsaigh netminder Mark O’Sullivan, and as the East Cork side began to lose shape, the city side continued to chalk up the points to lead 1-16 to 0-8 at the three quarter stage.
Niall McCarthy, who had a quiet game on John Gardiner, pointed two frees in a row but they were only token scores as Na Piarsaigh’s defence remained firmly in control thanks to the excellence of Gardiner, Robert Healy and Darren Mannix.
Piarsaigh: C. Lynch 1-4 (0-4 frees); P. Gould 0-5; SJ O’Sullivan, R. McGregor, S. Glasgow, J. Gardiner (0-1 65), D. Mannix 0-2 each; M. Prendergast, R. Healy 0-1 each. Carrigtwohill: N. McCarthy 0-4 (0-3 frees); R. White 0-3; F. Flannery 0-2; M. McCarthy, B. Lordan, J. Barrett 0-1 each.
M. O’Sullivan; D. Mannix, D. Murphy, K. Egan; S. Og O hAilpin, J. Gardiner, D. Gardiner; R. McGregor, A. Brady; D. Hannifin, S. Glasgow, P. Gould; C. Lynch, G. Sheehan, SJ O’Sullivan.
R. Healy for Egan; C. O’Sullivan for Hannifin; SG O’Sullivan for Brady; M. Prendergast for McGregor.
M., Fitzgerald; P. O’Sullivan, S. Flannery, JP O’Riordan; S. Farrell, M. O’Riordan, M. Foley; J. Barrett, C. Harte; B. Lordan, N. McCarthy, S. Dineen; F. Flannery, R. White, S. Barry. Subs: N. Kidney for O’Farrell; D. Collins for Barry.
D. Kirwan (Éire Óg).
