Dominant O'Donovan Rossa breeze past Gusserane to book Junior Club final place
Shauna Hackett of Gusserane in action against Allie Tobin of O'Donovan Rossa.
A huge attendance witnessed the Skibbereen side’s merited semi-final victory over Wexford and Leinster champions Gusserane at a rain-sodden O’Donovan Rossa Park last Saturday.
Dominant from start to finish, Rossa’s defence was once again the platform for their latest victory with Emer McCarthy, Lisa Harte and the excellent Allie Tobin superb throughout.
Holding their opponents to six points (two from open play) was only half the story as Éabha O’Donovan, Fionnuala O’Driscoll, Kate O’Donovan and Cork Senior Laura O’Mahony shone up front.
An All-Ireland final against either Claremorris (Mayo) or Lavey (Derry) awaits a week before Christmas. It is the least O’Donovan Rossa deserves following a phenomenal season.
“Getting off to a great start was massive,” O’Donovan Rossa manager James O’Donovan admitted.
“In front of our own crowd an on our home pitch, we just wanted to hit the ground running. In fairness to the girls, they got three points on the board straight away.
“The next two weeks are going to be a carnival in Skibbereen before we head to Parnell Park. Playing in an All-Ireland final is the stuff of dreams.”
O’Donovan Rossa got off to a blistering start with Emma Hurley, Fionnuala O’Driscoll and Kate O’Connell efforts creating an early 3-point lead. Goalkeeper Christine Fitzgerald denied Gusserane’s Shauna Hackett a certain goal prior to Éabha O’Donovan extending the West Cork side’s advantage.
Aoife Cullen got a struggling Gusserane on the scoreboard via a free deflected over the crossbar after 11 minutes. Their opponents hit back in devastating fashion. A superb passing move ended with midfielder Triona Murphy rifling a shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-4 to 0-1.
Abby Whitty revitalised Gusserane with a terrific point before Éabha O’Donovan and Fiona Ryan exchanged scores. O’Donovan Rossa’s defence continued to dominate prior to Fionnuala O’Driscoll, Kate O’Donovan and Éabha O’Donovan extending the home team’s advantage.
Heavy showers hindered Gusserane’s comeback as Fiona Ryan (free) saw the Wexford club change ends 1-8 to 0-4 in arrears.
Increased rainfall made for a more physical second period in which Fiona Ryan’s point was sandwiched between a pair of Éabha O’Donovan frees.
Gusserane’s hopes suffered a double-blow as Aishling Murphy was red carded for kicking out at Emer McCarthy and Aoife Ryan sin-binned a minute later.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Aoife Cullen scored Gussarane’s sixth point, but it proved academic as O’Donovan Rossa dominated the closing stages.
Laura O’Mahony raised a white flag before turning provider for Fionnuala O’Driscoll to arrow in Rossa’s second goal.
Éabha O’Donovan’s sixth point completed the scoring on afternoon All-Ireland finalists O’Donovan Rossa were cheered back to the dressing rooms by their delighted supporters.
É O’Donovan 0-6 (0-2 frees), F O’Driscoll 1-2, T Murphy 1-0, E Hurley, K O’Connell, K O’Donovan and L O’Mahony 0-1 each.
Fiona Ryan 0-3 (0-2 frees), A Cullen 0-2 (0-2 frees) and A Whitty 0-1.
C Fitzgerald; M Donellan, E McCarthy, A Tobin; F Leonard, S Hurley, L Harte (captain); L O’Mahony, T Murphy; J Beechinor, E Hurley, K O’Connell; É O’Donovan, K O’Donovan, F O’Driscoll.
A Whooley got M Donnellan (37), A O’Driscoll for J Beechinor (48), A Bohane for L Harte (55), Á McCarthy for F O’Driscoll (56), E Fitzgerald for L O’Mahony (60, inj).
L Roche; E Rossiter, A Power, A Breen; K Whelan, S Kehoe (captain), S Whitty; Aisling Ryan, Aoife Ryan; C Ryan, A Cullen, A Whitty; F Ryan, A Murphy, S Hackett.
L Dillon for A Whitty (48), K Sommers for C Ryan (55), A Dillon for F Ryan (58).
Ciaran Groome (Offaly).
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