Carrig fightback stuns Killeagh

Carrigtwohill 2-14 Killeagh 1-10

It was a hugely significant victory for Carrigtwohill and one that was richly deserved as well. Their success was built upon a second-half display of dominance with the scoring returns in that period graphically illustrating the superiority they enjoyed.

After trailing at the interval 1-9 to 1-6, Carrigtwohill emerged a different force for the concluding 30 minutes as they chalked up 1-8 on the scoreboard and restricted their opponents to a point, that score arriving from a 47th minute free by Joe Deane.

Carrigtwohill played with greater ferocity and power in the second half as all over the pitch their prominent players stepped forward to deliver. In defence, Sean Flannery and more particularly Noel Furlong were excellent and the control that stemmed from that spine was critical in separating the teams. At midfield Jason Barrett’s influence grew notably as the game progressed, Niall McCarthy coped with a troublesome knee injury effectively to thunder into the game in the second half and Mick Fitzgerald’s final tally of 1-6 demonstrated his prowess in front of goal on the night.

But it was not a night where Carrigtwohill relied solely on their experienced men for inspiration. During a first half when matters were not as smooth for Carrigtwohill, they were grateful to the consistent brilliance of Robert White at wing-forward. His aerial ability was integral to keeping them in the hunt and he embellished his input with a splendid solo goal in the 18th minute. Goalkeeper William McCarthy, who is involved with the Cork minors this season, was a model of composure throughout with his handling and he also produced a terrific save to divert a Sean Long drive away from goal just before the finish.

The end result was desperately disappointing for Killeagh to take after the outstanding manner in which they began the game. They contributed handsomely to a cracking first half when the game rocked along at a fine pace. Killeagh’s cause was boosted greatly in the sixth minute when they pounced for the opening goal of the game.

A long ball from defence stretched the Carrigtwohill rearguard and when Joe Budds skipped through, he drew the inside cover before releasing to the lurking Andy Walsh, who sidestepped McCarthy and tapped to the net.

Fitzgerald was showing up well for Carrigtwohill in attack but Killeagh full-back Colin Fogarty was giving a marvellous display and a neat Joe Budds point in the 16th minute left them 1-4 to 0-5 ahead. Two minutes later Carrigtwohill received a massive fillip when White darted onto possession in the half-forward line, bounded forward and kept calm to finish adroitly to the corner of the net. Joe Deane, after a wonderful mazy run, and Brian Lordan traded points but with Furlong impressing, Carrigtwohill looked poised to finish the half strongly.

However, it was Killeagh who closed in style rattling off four points on the trot courtesy of Long, Deane with a brace and finally a Bernard Rochford 20-yard free that whistled just over the bar.

A 1-9 to 1-6 advantage was a pleasant position for Killeagh to reflect on at the break but the match changed utterly after the interval. Barrett set the tone with a quick point for Carrigtwohill and Fitzgerald whipped the ball to the net after Farrell broke a high ball in the square. Matters could have worsened for Killeagh in the 33rd minute but Fitzgerald’s strike from a penalty was expertly blocked by Rochford.

That miss did not break Carrigtwohill’s impetus with Fitzgerald and McCarthy tacking on points but when Deane got Killeagh off the mark for the second half in the 47th minute, they were still only 2-9 to 1-10 adrift. But Killeagh were constantly frustrated by the Carrigtwohill defence and it was their opponents who finished strongest.

Barrett, Fitzgerald (2), White and Farrell all kept the scoreboard ticking over to ensure they booked a third-round berth.

Rochford produced another stunning stop at the end to deny Fitzgerald another goal yet Killeagh are consigned now to a second-round tie against either Cloyne or Bishopstown.

Scorers for Carrigtwohill: M Fitzgerald 1-6 (0-3f), R White 1-2, J Barrett, B Lordan 0-2 each, N McCarthy, S O’Farrell 0-1 each.

Killeagh: J Deane 0-5 (0-4f), A Walsh 1-0, B Rochford (0-1f), J Fitzgerald, S Long, M Landers, J Budds 0-1 each.

CARRIGTWOHILL: W McCarthy; P O’Sullivan, S Flannery, A Garde; R Power, N Furlong, M Foley; J Barrett, B Lordan; R White, N McCarthy, T Hogan; M Fitzgerald, S O’Farrell, F Flannery.

Subs: A Gosnell for F Flannery (half-time).

KILLEAGH: B Rochford; P McCarthy, Colin Fogarty, Cian Fogarty; P O’Neill, P O’Brien, P McGrath; L Collins, B Collins; J Fitzgerald, S Long, J Budds; A Walsh, J Deane, M Landers.

Subs: K Scully for McCarthy (35), E O’Loughlin for Landers (37), J O’Connor for Fitzgerald (41).

Referee: D Copps (Ballyhea).