Rockchapel progress to PIFC knockout stages with hard fought draw against Castletownbere
Castletownbere and Rockchapel player observe a minutes silence in memory of Castletownbere goalkeeper Dave Fenton
A draw was enough to earn Rockchapel a place in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier IFC knockout stages but only after holding off a Castletownbere second half comeback.
Leading 0-9 to 0-3 early in the second period, the Duhallow club looked set for the most straightforward of victories. Instead, having wasted a plethora of scoring opportunities, Castletownbere roused themselves during an adrenaline-fuelled closing quarter.
Utilising Fintan Fenner and Gary Murphy’s free-taking accuracy, the Beara side moved within a point of their opponents. Fenner nervelessly levelled matters from a free deep into injury-time but, amid the fading light, it proved to little, too late.
Rockchapel held on for the draw they knew would be enough (on scoring difference) to finish ahead of Castletownbere and secure a PIFC knockout berth.
A minute’s silence for the late Castletownbere GAA stalwart Dave Fenton was observed prior to throw-in.
Both teams took an age to settle amid wet and slippery underfoot conditions. Castletownbere couldn’t gain a foothold and kicked five consecutive wides from their first five attacks.
Their opponents proved only slightly more clinical as Jack Curtin’s opening score arrived 11 minutes in.
Things didn’t improve much up to the quarter hour apart from Kevin Collins doubling his team’s lead.
Seamus Hickey, Ewan Murphy and Conor Kepple’s midfield dominance saw Rockchapel enjoy a purple patch.
Ciarán Curtin and Nicholas Lenihan found their range prior to a Jack Curtin free heaping further misery on their opponents.
0-5 to 0-0 behind, James Harrington ended the Beara club’s wait for a maiden score after 23 frustrating minutes.
Rockchapel goalkeeper Conor Casey bravely prevented a goal attempt before Lee Kelly’s mark was a rare moment of quality in a poor Castletownbere first half display.
Ciarán Curtin brilliantly restored the Duhallow club’s four-point lead and it was 0-6 to 0-2 at the break.
Nicholas Lenihan and Gary Murphy swapped points at the beginning of the second period. Another Lenihan effort and Ciaran Curtin white flag increased the Rock’s lead, 0-9 to 0-3.
Goal chances were squandered at either end before Castletownbere staged a ferocious comeback.
Fenner (three frees) and Murphy scores gave the Beara side hope before Jack Curtin replied with a badly needed Rockchapel point.
Murphy and Fenner (both frees) efforts left a point in it before the latter nervelessly equalised from another free 3 minutes into injury-time.
They had a late chance but Castletownbere couldn’t find a winning score and Rockchapel held on to book their PIFC knockout berth.
Scorers for Rockchapel: C Curtin, N Lenihan, J Curtin (1f) 0-3 each, K Collins, 0-1.
Castletownbere: F Fenner 0-5 (5f), G Murphy (2f) 0-3, J Harrington 0-1, L Kelly (1m) each.
C Casey; D Carroll, E O’Callaghan, B Carroll; P Curtin, M O’Keefe, K Collins; S Hickey, C Kepple; E Murphy, J Curtin (joint captain), J Walsh; N Lenihan, C Curtin, C Curtin.
L Collins for C Casey (ht), E Collins for C Curtin (47).
D Hegarty (captain); J O’Neill, D Dunne, J Rosales Harrington; O Murphy, T Collins, S McCarthy; A O’Sullivan, O Byrne; F Fenner, T Murphy, J Hanley; G Murphy, J Harrington, L Kelly.
E Collins for J Curtin (blood, 5), J Curtin for E Collins (blood, 10), B Murphy for J Hanley (35), M Orpen for O Murphy (39).
Michael Collins (Clonakilty).
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