Russell Rovers recapture the glory days
JOSH JOY: Russell Rovers' Josh Beausang celebrates his goal against Moyle Rovers during the AIB Munster junior club HC semi final at Midleton. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Russell Rovers are no strangers to AIB Munster Club JHC finals, no strangers either to Déise opposition. Five years ago they wrapped up an outstanding 2019 with victory over St Mary’s of Waterford.
Many of the present squad were part of those great days.
Russell Rovers are in the decider again and it’s Waterford opposition once more, Kilrossanty on Saturday week, after the Cork champions overcame Moyle Rovers in Clonmult Memorial Park, Midleton on Saturday.
The importance of scoring goals was the cornerstone of their victory with Brian Hartnett supplying a brace and Josh Beausang the other one. The skilful attackers in this formidable squad shared 3-8.
Just five of the Moyle Rovers tally came from play - despite the marvellous dead ball accuracy of captain Dara Ryan - the visitors fell 1-7 to 0-6 behind at the break.
“We didn’t know how we’d be after a county final two weeks out. It was a good honest effort from the group and we’re glad to get over the line,” victorious manager Dave Dorgan said.
“Great to see them (Josh and Brian) out there producing the goods but it is an all-team effort, but yes the goals were very important today. The wind was tricky.”
Having won the toss, Ciarán Sheehan elected to play against the elements.
The teams were level on four occasions before Hartnett picked out Beausang for the opening goal in the 20th minute. Stoppage time points by Kevin Moynihan and Hartnett left John McGrath’s charges with a second-half hill to climb.
When Daniel Moynihan’s point went over with the help of the post immediately after the restart, it appeared Russell Rovers might push on but Moyle Rovers - the only Tipperary club to win this championship (2007) - replied with a Ryan free and Killian Butler from play.
At this critical juncture however, they were undone by Hartnett and Beausang again, this time the roles were reversed when Beausang fed Hartnett for a crucial green flag, 2-9 to 0-8 in the 39th minute.
Ryan made sure the Monroe club kept in the hunt, but the east Cork outfit didn’t give too many opportunities away.
They maintained their six-point advantage.
Six became nine when Hartnett notched his second goal two minutes from time after Sheehan did well to regain possession in the corner.
The Cork champions will be hoping previous experiences will stand to them on November 30.
“Maybe it is a factor,” said Dorgan. “But with every game and every team you try to ride out the tougher moments. So far we’ve been able to do it. The message is to stay in the game.
“We’re still breathing, so we’ll give it a go.”
B Hartnett (2-3), J Beausang (1-5), K Moynihan (0-2), D Moynihan, R Cummins and L Duggan Murray (0-1 each).
D Ryan (0-9, 0-8 frees), L Delahunty (0-2), K Butler and A Phelan (0-1 each).
R Walsh; K O’Brien, E O’Sullivan, K Tattan; F Murray, J Kennefick, R Cummins; D Moynihan, K Walsh; L Duggan Murray, K Moynihan, M O’Dwyer; J Beausang, C Sheehan (Capt), B Hartnett.
J McGrath for M O’Dwyer, P Lane for F Murray (both 37), K Ivers for K Moynihan (53), D Ruddy for L Duggan Murray (56), S O’Neill for B Hartnett (60).
B Gleeson; C McKeown, L Boland, B McKeown; R Collins, B Owens, C McGrath; R Quigley, K Grace; K Butler, D Ryan (Capt), S Ryan; D English, A Phelan, L Delahunty.
D Luttrell for S Ryan (39), S Keating for K Grace (44), N Croke for C McGrath (56), D Lyne for D English (61).
Seaghan Walsh (Waterford).
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