Fionn Herlihy points way as Dohenys book final spot

It'll be Newcestown next up in the decider.

Sat, 07 Oct, 2023 - 17:48

Eoghan Cormican Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Dohenys 1-19 Knocknagree 2-12

A clinic of point-taking from Fionn Herlihy booked Dohenys a Cork Senior A football final appointment with Newcestown later this month.

Full-forward Herlihy was close to untouchable in the second of Saturday’s last-four Senior A clashes at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Three second-half points from play followed five in the first half. His menace gave way to mayhem each time he thundered onto possession.

But even for the heights repeatedly hit by Herlihy, he had a more than competent support cast.

Centre-forward Colm O’Shea kicked five frees and one from play. The lively Keith White contributed a second half pair from play and an injury-time placed-ball, while fellow corner-forward Mark Buckley had a green flag to go with his two white ones.

Buckley’s goal was massive. In the play previous, O’Shea had floated over his sole effort from play to tie matters at 0-10 to 1-7 three minutes into the second period.

The ensuing short restart by Patrick Doyle was sent straight to Dohenys half-forward Adam O’Donovan. His goal effort was blocked. The rebound, by Mark Buckley, was not. Dohenys three in front. Dohenys in front for the first time.

White (0-2), O’Shea (free), and Herlihy (0-2) all split the posts thereafter to move Dohenys 1-15 to 1-9 in front on 51 minutes.

The first 21 minutes of the second period they outgunned their opponents 1-8 to 0-2.

Knocknagree went hunting goals in the closing stages. They eventually got one from Denis O’Connor in the sixth minute of injury-time.

Their bid for back-to-back county final appearances in this Senior A grade completely fell apart after the change of ends. Their defence was time and again stretched.

For Dohenys, the win sets up a West Cork final against Newcestown. They met in the group stages back in July. Dohenys won by the minimum.

Knocknagree had led 1-7 to 0-9 at the break. It was a lead built in the opening quarter and just about hung onto in the second.

Their first score after 94 seconds was an Anthony O’Connor goal. The green flag came from a brilliant over-the-top pass from Eoghan McSweeney. McSweeney provided the assist for Knocknagree’s opening 1-1 and then kicked their second point. A Michael McSweeney white flag had them 1-3 to 0-1 ahead on 11 minutes.

Michael McSweeney’s second, this time off his left, restored that five-point advantage on 20 minutes. 1-5 to 0-3. But six of the semi-final’s next seven points arrived at the City End. Four from play from Fionn Herlihy and a pair of Colm O’Shea frees brought Dohenys level at 1-6 to 0-9 in first half stoppages.

It was a proper two-man act from O’Shea and Herlihy in the opening half. They accounted for each one of Dohenys’ first half 0-9. Herlihy was sharp and superb from open play. O’Shea punished each and every Knocknagree indiscretion.

Cork senior Eoghan McSweeney put Knocknagree back in front before the short whistle. It was to be the last time they led.

Scorers for Dohenys: F Herlihy (0-8); C O’Shea (0-6, 0-5 frees); M Buckley (1-2, 0-1 free); K White (0-3, 0-1 free).

Scorers for Knocknagree: A O’Connor (1-2, 0-2 frees); D O’Connor (1-0); M McSweeney (0-3); E McSweeney (0-2); P Doyle (‘45), T O’Connor, J Dennehy, N O’Connor, T O’Mahony (0-1 each).

Dohenys: Stephen Daly; Sean Daly, J Farrell, D Rice; C Daly, C Barry, B O’Donovan; J Kelly, R Coakley; S Barry, C O’Shea, A O’Donovan; K White, F Herlihy, M Buckley.

Subs: E Lavers for Barry (38); A Mannix for O’Shea (inj), B Murphy for O’Donovan (both 48); Declan Collins for C Daly (61); Darragh Collins for A O’Donovan (63).

Knocknagree: P Doyle; G O’Connor, M Mahoney, T O’Connor; M Doyle, D O’Mahony, K Cronin; David O’Connor, M McSweeney; J Dennehy, E McSweeney, D Moynihan; Denis O’Connor, N O’Connor, A O’Connor.

Subs: D Cooper for J Dennehy (HT); T O’Mahony for K Cronin (54).

Referee: D Murnane.