Flanagan free rescues Clyda

A POOR advert for football, with the free count more than doubling the scores registered, but both sides will be relieved for a chance of redemption next weekend after Saturday’s sterile Cork PIFC semi-final finished level at Páirc Uí Rinn.

St Vincent’s will probably feel the most aggrieved at the outcome. At the three quarter-mark they led 0-7 to 0-4 having played the better football and more ability in front of goal. By comparison, their ultra defensive opponents kicked ten wides in the opening half, some from 20-metre frees.

The Vincent’s talisman JP Murphy started superbly. After two minutes landed a tremendous score and the large crowd began to sense a thriller. It was anything but.

Murphy impressed all day-though his presence waned after he picked up a yellow card for an off-the-ball incident with Carey in the second period.

Still, at that stage St Vincent’s looked odds-on for the final as Clyda offered so little for so long with their recently crowned All-Star Paudie Kissane largely anonymous.

Tommy Hornibrook flashed over the City side’s seventh point on 43 minutes but he should have goaled.

Then the large scale melee also worked in Clyda’s favour. What began with Murphy and Carey wrestling on the floor, ended five minutes later with 20 players, mentors and substitutes from both sides becoming involved and thereafter, St Vincent’s fell apart and allowed the Mourneabbey men to gain a foothold.

Despite the early midfield dominance of Stephen Ray and Christy Kenneally, St Vincent’s could only manage a two points lead (0-3 to 0-1) after 21 minutes.

But through the clever play of the O’Sullivan brothers - Conor and Cian – Clyda were level by the break with the former scoring their best point of the game and the latter drawing a free for James Murphy to convert.

Vincent’s began the second-half in determined fashion again and JP Murphy scored three points, two frees, inside the opening eight minutes and they looked likely victors.

Then followed the lengthy stoppage as referee Michael Harrington restored peace.

Hornibrook pushed the City men three clear but Ray Carey, along with Conor O’Sullivan stamped their authority with commanding displays late on. O’Sullivan had his second point with eight minutes to go while indiscipline on Vincent’s behalf was punished by the free taking of James Murphy and Conor Flanagan.

Scorers for St Vincent’s: JP Murphy 0-4 (0-2f), T Hornibrook, P Ahern, J Buckley (0-1) each.

Scorers for Clyda Rovers: C Flanagan, J Murphy (0-2f each), Conor O’Sullivan 0-2, Cian O’Sullivan 0-1.

ST VINCENT’S: P O’Shea; T O’Connell, P Cunningham, W Murphy; P Ahern, W McCarthy, D O’Regan; S Ray, C Kenneally; D Duggan, J Buckley, P O’Sullivan; G Kelleher, JP Murphy, T Hornibrook.

Subs: C Barry for D Duggan (16), A Fenton for W Murphy (h/t), S Buckley for J Buckley (55), D Murphy for G Kelleher (58).

CLYDA ROVERS: C Conway; G Carey, R Carey, K Fitzgerald; M O’Brien, O O’Hanlon, N O’Mullane; P Kissane, F O’Shea; C Flanagan, P O’Mullane, D Murphy; J Murphy, Conor O’Sullivan, Cian O’Sullivan.

Subs: K O’Connell for D Murphy (44), D Fitzgerald for C Conway (48), K Roche for C O’Sullivan (50).

Referee: Ger Harrington (Carrigaline).