'The win is what counts and I couldn’t care less who we get next' - Improved Mallow march into semis
FINAL FOUR: Mallow manager Andrew Cashman.
Mallow are into the last four of the top division of Cork football for the first time in 20 years after seeing off Muskerry with a much improved display from the one that saw them lose to Douglas last time out.
Led by Sean McDonnell, Kevin Sheehan and Mark Tobin up front with a wonderful display at the back by Bill Myres, Paul Lyons and Eoghan Barry, Mallow were well worth the win and a place in uncharted territory for the current bunch of players.
The Avondhu side started well, slipped off the gas in the second quarter but dominated the rest of the tie a scintillating spell after the break sending this one the way of the men in red and yellow.
Mallow manager Andrew Cashman was delighted with the win after seeing his charges lose last time out.
“I think that was part of the fuel, the fact that our performance against Douglas disappointed ourselves. Douglas were excellent on the day but we did drop our standards that day so there was plenty fire in the tank today to put that one right.
“The last 10 minutes today were tough, we coughed up a few goal chances but the lads at the back died with their boots on back there.
“After starting well the second quarter was a real killer for us. We brought a lot of energy to the start but we faded. With a divisional side like Muskerry there is always a good bit of quality on the field so we were never getting it all our own way but to be fair to our lads there was no panic in the dressing room at half time – it was all very calm and we got the result. The win is what counts and I couldn’t care less who we get next.” Mallow may well have got the best start but Muskerry were first to trouble the scoreboard with a pointed free from keeper Joe Creedon, The Uibh Laoire shot-stopper was in the action moments later when saving at close range but Mallow found their mojo and hit the divisional side for a quick 1-3.
McDonnell bagged a free before setting up full forward Sheehan for the game’s first goal. Jack Dillon and Tobin then found the target as Mallow pushed early with a strong wind to their backs.
Tobin and Liam O’Connor traded scores as the elements and plenty close marking led to a share of turnovers for either side.
A brilliant point from McDonnell and another free had Mallow 1-5 to 0-3 in front at the quarter hour mark but from that point to the interval it was all Muskerry with points from Chris Óg Jones, O’Connor, Ian Jones and Liam Wall levelling this one up ahead of the half time interval. Mallow 1-6 – Muskerry 0-9.
Mallow flew from the traps after the break with Sheehan raising his second green flag on 33minutes, McDonnell again the provider.
McDonnell was rampant up the left wing bagging six on the day, Mark Tobin helped himself to a brilliant 1-4, the goal coming thanks to an inch perfect pass from Sheehan.
For Muskerry, plenty goal chances late on, two goals scored, Chris Óg Jones with one on 47 minutes and a consolation late on from substitute Mark McLoughlin but Muskerry could have stolen this, despite the seven point gap, if they had managed to finish a couple more of those late chances.
Mallow are not the finished article but they have genuine quality all over the pitch and they are into the semi-finals, the latter isn’t something one would have predicted this time last year when they played in the relegation final.
: K Sheehan 2-1; M Tobin 1-4; S McDonnell 0-6 (four frees); J Dillon 0-2 (one forth five); M Taylor, M Kelleher 0-1 each.
: C Óg Jones 1-2 (one free); L O’Connor 0-5 (three frees); M McLoughlin 1-0; I Jones, J Creedon (one free), L Wall, E O’Leary 0-1 each.
: K Doyle; B Myres, P Lyons, E Barry; P Hennessy, S Copps, M Taylor; S Merritt, S O’Callaghan; J Dillon, R Harkin, S McDonnell; M Tobin, K Sheehan, M Kelleher. Subs: S Hayes fopr M Kelleher (42), E Stanton for R Harkin (45), E Kelleher for K Sheehan (55).
: J Creedon (Uibh Laoire); J Murphy (Macroom), W Rohan (Kilmurry), D O’Donovan (Uibh Laoire); K Manning (Uibh Laoire), M Corrigan (Macroom), K O’Connell (Donoughmore); L Wall (Kilmurry), C Dodd (Canovee); S O’Riordan (Uibh Laoire), C Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire), A Quinn (Macroom), L O’Connor (Inniscarra), I Jones (Uibh Laoire), E O’Leary (Macroom). Subs: L Aisling (Kilmurry) for E O’Leary (42), J O’Mullane (Kilmurry) for D O’Donovan (44), M McLoughlin (Inniscarra) for S O’Riordan (46), D Morrissey (Donoughmore) for C Dodd (55), D Kelly (Naomh Aban) for L O’Connor (58).
: Alan Long (Argideen)
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