Cork champions Castlehaven survive severe Mallow test
Mallow's Sean McDonnell is tackled by Castlehaven's Mark Collins, during their Premier SFC clash at Ovens. Picture: David Keane.
Three-in-a-row chasing Castlehaven survived a severe test of their credentials from Mallow on Saturday night in Ovens in Group 2 of the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork PSFC. In a physical encounter, the reigning champions were that bit more accurate, that bit more assured and that bit wilier than a Mallow side who will take plenty of encouragement from the tie.
A Jack Cahalane goal after seventeen minutes helped them to a 1-5 to 0-6 interval lead, and Cathal Maguire put a goal between the sides moments after the resumption Matty Taylor, returning from his twenty-sixth minute black card, brought Mallow back to within two immediately but it was in the next ten minutes that the Haven earned their two points, outscoring Mallow by 0-6 to 0-2.
Maguire and Mark Collins landed two-pointers, Sean Browne raised a white flag and Collins clipped over a free to put them in control. Jimmy Glynn and Michael O’Rourke kept Mallow ticking over, but a sensational save from Kevin Doyle from Conor Cahalane that was followed by a heroic goal line clearance from Bill Myers after Michael Maguire looked certain to bag a goal saw them living on their nerves.
Collins then made it 1-13 to 0-9 with ten to go, and from there, they faded out while protecting what they had. Points from Eoin Kelleher, Jack Dillon and Sean McDonnell brought Mallow close, but they never looked like getting closer, even when the Haven lost Andrew Whelton to a black card. Damien Cahalane was central to that feeling, as he was simply superb in both defence and attack.
From the off, there was a fluidity to the Haven with players popping up in different places, constantly forcing Mallow to keep their positional discipline. Michael Hurley and Conor Cahalane gave the Haven the early edge with two fine points from play, but Mallow were winning their fair share of primary possession with Shane Merritt prominent in the middle third. Kelleher had their opening score in the fifth minute, Collins responded with a free before a superb two-point effort from Mallow’s Dillon levelled the game for the first time.
Mallow then took the lead at the end of the opening quarter with Taylor feeding O’Rourke who cracked over a beauty from just inside the arc. The Haven then put together a sumptuous move with Conor Cahalane and Cathal Maguire’s pace teeing up Jack Cahalane who took a step before slipping the ball past Kevin Doyle for the game’s opening goal.
The gauntlet was laid down, but Mallow showed that they weren’t for turning with O’Rourke’s second point coming from the next play to make it 1-3 to 0-5. However, their accuracy was leaving them down as they kicked six first half wides, and when Taylor got a black card for dragging Jack Cahalane to the floor, they looked to be in bother.
They managed it from there to half time well though, with Dillon’s third point sandwiched by Collins and Michael Maguire efforts for the Haven to leave the champions 1-5 to 0-6 ahead at the break.
From there, the Haven did enough, for now. They will play Valley Rovers when the competition resumes, while Mallow will face Newcestown.
M Collins (0-6, 1x 2pt, 0-3 frees), J Cahalane (1-0), C Maguire (0-3, 1x2pt), S Browne, C Cahalane, M Hurley and M Maguire (0-1 each).
J Dillon (0-4, 1x2pt, 0-1 free), M O’Rourke (0-3), E Kelleher (0-2), S McDonnell (free), M Taylor and J Glynn (0-1 each).
Darragh Cahalane; J O’Regan. Damien Cahalane, S Walsh; M Collins, R Minihane, C Maguire; A Whelton, R Maguire; S Browne, J Cahalane, J Walsh; M Maguire, C Cahalane, M Hurley.
J O’Driscoll for J Walsh (47)
K Doyle; B Myers, P Lyons, G Daly; T Kiely, M Taylor, J Glynn; S Merritt, A Bolster; S McDonnell, M O’Rourke, J Dillon; M Tobin, K Sheehan, E Kelleher.
C Mullins for Tobin, J Loughrey for Sheehan (both 40), E Stanton for O’Rourke (52), P Britton for Kiely (60).
Robert Whelan (Kilworth).
A collection of the latest sports news, reports and analysis from Cork.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
