Kelleher finally shakes off Inniscarra as Canovee claim first crown since 2007
TO THE VICTORS: Canovee captain James Moynihan and players celebrate after defeating Inniscarra in the Ross Oil Muskerry J'A'FC final at Ovens. Pic: Eddie O'Hare
Canovee claimed their 17th Cork Junior A football championship and first since 2007 after seeing off Inniscarra in Ovens — but they were made to work for their silverware.
Going into the game as serious underdogs, Inniscarra battled hard and never let their opponents too far out of sight. In fact, right up until the 58th minute Inniscarra were right in the contest but a dramatic late Jack Kelleher goal for Canovee seemingly put the contest beyond their reach.
Kelleher and Darragh McMahon were on top form for the winners. Kelleher scored three vital points on top of his late goal while corner-forward McMahon grabbed three of his own in a fantastic double display.
It was hardly plain sailing for Canovee though. Two quick-fire Inniscarra goals inside the opening ten minutes from Liam O’Connor and Dylan O’Sullivan stunned the favourites with barely a minute between the two strikes.
O’Connor’s goal was particularly impressive. He powered on with fierce pace down the left hand side of the field, cutting in at the last second to place it calmly into the bottom right corner.
The second goal came when Dan O’Connell hand passed it across the area to Dylan O’Sullivan who used his composure to slot it home.
The goals seemed to light a spark under Canovee who scored five on the bounce including two accurate 45s right between the posts from main man Evan Dodd.
Despite the firecracker start from Inniscarra they only managed a paltry one point between their second goal and the half time whistle.
Evan’s brother Conor Dodd scored a lovely point after a solo run and eventual conversion out his side within a point of Inniscarra. Then, just on half time, Darragh McMahon converted from 20 yards out to tie the game up going in at the break (0-8 to 2-2).
The second period was almost identical to the first in that Iniscarra started off brightly but the class and quality of Canovee meant they would go on a run of scores to get their noses out in front once again.
Liam O’Connor and Dylan O’Sullivan were effectively keeping their team afloat with their contributions. They scored two each in the second half and ended up being the only scorers for their side but it wouldn’t be enough to see them over the line.
Once again Canovee would score five on the trot coming down the home stretch, a run that included that dramatic Kelleher goal. Inniscarra goalkeeper Dominic Kelleher’s poor kick out landed in the hands of Kelleher who pounced with quick thinking and smashed it past Kelleher before he even had a chance to get back on his line.
McMahon and captain James Moynihan scored two points in injury time to seal the deal as Canovee claim an emotional first JAFC title in 16 years.
J Kelleher (1-3, 1f), E Dodd (0-3, 2 45s), D McMahon (0-3), C O’Neill and J Moynihan (0-2 each), C Dodd and D Cronin (0-1 each).
D O’Sullivan (1-4), L O’Connor (1-2).
C O’Driscoll; C Cronin, E McNabola, D Moynihan; E Dodd, O O’Driscoll, E Lehane; C Dodd, A Murphy; J Moynihan, D Cronin, C O’Neill; D McMahon, B McNabola, J Kelleher.
M Dunne for E McNabola (24), W Ahern for C Cronin (36), M Healy for B McNabola (40), P Healy for D Cronin (62), D O’Sullivan for D McMahon (64).
D Kelleher; D O’Herlihy, J O’Callaghan, J O’Sullivan; F Horgan, D Coughlan, J O’Dwyer; S O’Donoghue, T Murphy; M McLoughlin, L O’Connor, L Collins; D O’Connell, D O’Sullivan, T Lyons.
C Lynch for T Murphy (HT), M Linehan for L Collins (38), S Dineen for D Coughlan (49), D O’Keefe for D O’Connell (55).
Dave Murnane (Macroom).
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