O’Callaghan points way for mighty Mathunas

Diarmuid Ó Mathunas 3-12 Tullylease 2-12

Operating at left corner-forward, O’Callaghan finished with a personal tally of 2-6, one of those points a magnificent side line cut from 50 metres, as the West Cork champions qualified for their first ever county final at this level. With the game delicately poised, JP O’Callaghan’s second goal was clearly a square infringement while at the other end they had a ‘goal’ — which would have put them two points clear with two minutes to go — ruled out for a similar infringement.

However over the 60 odd minutes, O’Mathunas were marginally better balanced. Their hurling was that bit crisper and they had a number of outstanding players in goalkeeper Johnny Nyhan, midfielder Michael Fehilly, and scorer in chief JP O’Callaghan.

Tullylease led by a point at the interval, fell behind by a similar margin with four minutes of normal time left, and then had what looked to be the winning goal disallowed that was similar in execution to the one that was allowed to stand at the other end.

Eamon Hannigan, Alan Sheehy, Seamus Whelan and Shane Hehir played themselves to a standstill for the Duhallow champions whose effort over the hurt deserved at least a second bite of the cherry.

Only ten seconds had elapsed before the O’Mathunas ‘keeper Johnny Nyhan saved brilliantly from Shane Hehir. A minute later at the other end the Tullylease ‘keeper Aidan O’Gorman committed the cardinal error of not playing the sliothar as he came to him.

Thinking that Sean Crowley’s shot was going wide he let it go only for the ball to nestle in the back of his net for a goal. Those two incidents in quick succession set the scene for a rousing contest where no quarter was asked or given.

There was nothing to choose between the sides as the swopped points before Tullylease grabbed their opening goal when Shane Hehir first timed Seamus Whelan’s superb line ball to the net and they went on to lead 1-7 to 1-8 at the break.

The sides continued to match each other point for point for most of the third quarter and Tullylease still held that slender one point lead before Michael McCarthy cleared a long ball out of his own defence which fell kindly for JP O’Callaghan to scoop it to the net.

O’Mathunas were in full flow and it took a great save by Tullylease netminder to deny Ted Lordan a goal before O’Callaghan struck again. Mark Barrett made the opening for him.

O’Callaghan was clearly in the small square as the pass came to him but the goal stood and the West Cork side were five points to the good and in sight of their first county final appearance at this level.

However there was still a kick left in Tullylease and after the O’Mathuna defence saved on the double from Seamus Whelan’s 20 metre free, Shane Hehir’s shot found the net to set up a grandstand finish.

It was backs to the wall for O’Mathunas as Tullylease came again and following a great three man move, substitute Kevin J. Murphy first time the sliothar to the net for what looked to be the winning score.

Unfortunately it was ruled out as Murphy was deemed to be in the square before the ball came to him. From that let off O’Mathunas closed out the game with two late points and they now await the winners of the Glen Rovers-Dripsey-Carrignavar triangle in the final.

Scorers for O’Mathunas: JP O’Callaghan 2-6 (0-5 frees, 0-1 side line cut); S. Crowley 1-0; M. Fehilly 0-3; T. Lordan 0-2; P. Crowley 0-1.

Tullylease: S. Hehir 2-2; S. Whelan 0-6 (0-4 frees); E. Sheehy 0-2; P. Newman, S. Stokes 0-1 each.

O MATHUNAS: Johnny Nyhan; Jerry Nyhan, K. Fleming, C. O’Mahony; D. Coughlan, D. Nyhan, M. McCarthy; M. Fehilly, S., Buttimer; J. O’Donovan, M. Barrett, T. Lordan; S. Coughlan, S. Crowley, JP O’Callaghan.

Subs: J. O’Sullivan for Buttimer (half time); P. Crowley for S. Coughlan (43).

TULLYLEASE: A. O’Gorman; E. O’Gorman, E. Hannigan, W. Larkin; A. Sheehy, J. Sheehy, F. Stokes; P. O’Mahony, B. Sheehy; S. Whelan, P. Newman, E. Sheehy; S. Stokes, J. Daly, S. Hehir.

Sub: KJ Murphy for Daly.

Referee: M. Moynihan (Grenagh).