Inspired by Matty Taylor, Mallow claim Cork SAFC honours

Mallow found a way to etch out the winning chance, condemning St Michael's to their sixth final defeat in 10 seasons

Mallow players celebrate after defeating St. Michael's in the Bon Secours Cork SAFC final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Mallow 2-12 St Michael’s 0-15

A Seán Hayes goal deep in injury-time gave Mallow the honours after a nail-biting clash with St Michael’s in the final of the Bons Secours Cork SAFC in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday afternoon.

Hayes got on the end of an excellent ball from man-of-the-match Matty Taylor and with the sides level, decided to go for glory and succeeded, as he blasted it past Martin Burke.

St Michael’s had showed tremendous resilience in coming from four points down with ten minutes to play to level the game for the third time with Tadgh Deasy levelling the game in the sixtieth minute. However, sport is cruel and Mallow found a way to etch out the winning chance, condemning the city side to their sixth final defeat in 10 seasons.

The game seemed to have turned in Mallow’s favour in the 38th minute when Seán McDonnell punched a high delivery from Stephen O’Callaghan to the net to give them a 1-9 to 0-9 lead. The goal was the highpoint of an excellent third quarter from Mallow that saw them outscore Michael’s by 1-4 to 0-2, turning a one-point deficit into a four-point lead in the process before the Blackrock sides recovery.

Mallow's Kieran O'Sullivan shoots past the diving St. Michael's player Sean Keating during the Bon Secours Cork SAFC final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

St Michael’s enjoyed the better of the opening stages, with their tackling particularly sharp. Points from Eric Hegarty and Tadgh Deasy gave them an early advantage before Kevin Sheehan opened Mallow’s account after ten minutes. Deasy then exchanges scores with Kieran ‘Sullivan while Mallow were also thankful for their goalkeeper, Kevin Doyle, who saved brilliantly from Billy Cain.

Liam Grainger stretched Michael’s lead with a fabulous score from play before a free from O’Sullivan left the minimum between them, 0-4 to 0-3, at the water break.

The Blackrock side kicked on when they resumed with Deasy adding three more scores to his growing tally. Mallow’s only response came from a ’45 from centre-back Shane Merritt and another score from him coupled with a free from Sheehan left just the one between them again. There was still time for Keith Hegarty and Jack Dillon to exchange scores to leave Michael’s still leading by one at the break, 0-8 to 0-7.

GAME IN 60 SECONDS

It mattered

Seán Hayes’ match-winning goal. Most players might have been content with a point when put in a similar position, but Hayes’ confidence to go for the jugular meant that there was no way back for Michael’s.

Can’t ignore

The contribution of the Mallow half back line. Not only did Matty Taylor, Shane Merritt and Stephen O’Callaghan kick 0-4 between them, wing backs Taylor and O’Callaghan set up the goals that, ultimately, won their side the game.

Good day

Eoin Stanton, the Mallow captain. Lifting the Kevin McTiernan Cup brought an end to a memorable week for the big midfielder as he and his wife, Elaine, welcomed their first child, a baby girl, into the world last Monday.

Bad day

St Michael’s. There’s no way to ease the bitter taste of losing a county final, but when it’s your sixth defeat in 10 seasons, it must feel all the worse, particularly when they showed great character in getting level before Hayes’ late intervention.

Sideline smarts

Mallow might have been tempted to start Hayes after he kicked 1-2 from the bench in their semi-final win over Béal Átha ‘n Ghaorthaidh. They kept him in reserve, however, and it proved to be the correct decision.

Best on show

Cork-star Matty Taylor picked up the official reward and there can be no argument with that as he cast an enormous influence on the game both defensively and offensively.

Man in the Middle

Bride Rovers' Patrick O’Driscoll can be pleased with his afternoon’s work. He was tough on steps but always fair and enabled an entertaining encounter.

Where next

Mallow return to the tope tier of Cork football after a two-year absence while St Michael’s will have to find the strength to go again.

Scorers for Mallow: S Hayes (1-1, 0-1 mark), S McDonnell (1-0), K O’Sullivan (0-3, 0-1 free), K Sheehan (0-1 free) and S Merritt (0-1 ’45) (0-2 each), M Taylor, S O’Callaghan, J Dillon and M O’Rourke (free) (0-1 each).

Scorers for St Michael’s: T Deasy (0-8, 0-1 ’45, 0-5 frees), E Hegarty (0-2, 0-1 free), S Keating, L Grainger, K Hegarty, A Hennessey (free) and L O’Sullivan (0-1 each).

MALLOW: K Doyle; B Myers, E Barry, O Carroll; S O’Callaghan, S Merritt; M Taylor; D Moynihan, E Stanton (Capt); M O’Rourke, R Harkin, J Dillon; K Sheehan, S McDonnell, K O’Sullivan.

Subs: A Cahill for Taylor (blood, 19-20 mins), S Hayes for O’Rourke (39 mins), A Cahill for Carroll (48 mins), P Herlihy for Dillon (55 mins), P Hennessey for McDonnell (inj, 58 mins), P Lyons for Sheehan (61 mins).

ST MICHAEL'S: M Burke; S Keating, O O’Sullivan (Capt), L Carroll; D Corkery, J Golden, P Cunningham; D Meaney, B Cain; L Grainger, K Hegarty, E Sheehan; T Deasy, A Hennessey, E Hegarty.

Subs: T Lenihan for Corkery (36 mins), L O’Sullivan for E Hegarty (43 mins), O Gribbon for Sheehan (46 mins), E de Búrca for K Hegarty (48 mins).

Referee: Patrick O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers).