O’Riordan rules roost as Mallow finish in style
With 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Carrigaline led by 0-10 to 0-9 but two fine points from Cian O’Riordan put the North Cork side ahead and while David Drake equalised immediately after that, they would not score again.
O’Riordan was the key man for Mallow as he scored nine points and midfielders Denis Hayes and Hurl Dockery also played their part. Carrigaline will reflect on a final tally of 12 wides, with late efforts at salvaging something from the game coming to nothing.
Simon O’Brien (four points) and David Drake (three) led the Carrig charge, but ultimately a failure to build up a half-time lead after playing with the wind was costly, too often the full-forward line being left isolated and searching balls into them failing to yield much.
While O’Riordan had to carry a heavy burden at times for Mallow, he was on song in the opening period, scoring four points as they worked the ball well and also unlucky with a goal chance which hit the post and went wide.
O’Brien had Carrig’s best goal chance after 20 seconds, Colman Sheehan tipping his effort over, but after that it took time for them to get going, and while O’Brien’s good point did put them 0-6 to 0-5 ahead after 26 minutes, O’Riordan had Mallow level by half-time.
Mark O’Brien put Mallow ahead early in the second half, but smart play from Carrig, carrying the ball against the wind, had them 0-9 to 0-7 ahead after 36 minutes, O’Brien and Tony Murphy pointing well.
Barry O’Keeffe then had a chance to open up a five-point lead from Kevin Kavanagh’s excellent pass but again Sheehan saved well and Mallow took heart from that, O’Riordan again the driver of their attacking play.
Not even the relocation of centre-back Nicholas Murphy to midfield could help Carrig gain the upperhand, and in the closing stages O’Riordan, Colm Stanton and Eoin Stanton all scored as Mallow pulled clear.
They also seemed to be awarded a late penalty by referee Miah Moynihan when sub Donal Relihan was fouled but he changed his mind as play continued.
A late dispute over a sideline kick led to an unseemly brawl, with members of both benches and some spectators getting involved.
But once order was restored only Mallow’s Mark Murphy was sent off, and that for a second yellow card, though a Carrigaline mentor was also censured. Carrigaline now face Ballinora in the second round.
Scorers for Mallow: C O’Riordan 0-9 (4fs), P Herlihy 0-2, E Stanton, M O’Brien, C Stanton 0-1 each.
Scorers for Carrigaline: S O’Brien 0-4, D Drake 0-3 (1f), N Coakley 0-2 (1f), K McIntyre, T Murphy 0-1 each.
MALLOW: C Sheehan; L Dockery, D Kerrish, M Murphy; B Sheahan, C Kerrisk, B Myers; H Dockery, D Hayes; C O’Riordan, E Stanton, M O’Brien; C Stanton, P Herlihy, E Murphy.
Subs: K O’Connor for E Murphy (ht), D Relihane for O’Brien (55).
CARRIGALINE: S Mellett; K McSweeney, K Forbes, C Barry; D Bagnell, N Murphy, P Ronayne; P Murphy, K Kavanagh; N Coakley, B O’Keeffe, D Drake; K McIntyre, T Murphy, S O’Brien.
Referee: M Moynihan (Grenagh).
