Ross Oil Mid Cork Junior A Football First Round Reports
The 2013 Junior Football championship has had a great start.
The opening round of the Ross Oil Mid Cork Junior Football Championship has produced some major surprise results and all the games were exciting and very interesting for spectators. Two games finished level and required a replay to determine who moved on and who went into the losers round. From now on, all games are knock-out!
 First Round Results:
Inniscarra   1 - 10     Kilmurry   0 - 7
This was the shock result of the opening round games of the 2013 Mid Cork championship and even the Kilmurry supporters declared that the result was a fair reflection of the trend of this particular game at Ovens.  Inniscarra, with a team which contained five minors, were ‘up for' the contest, hit the ground running and never let up.  They tore Kilmurry asunder in the first half and the reigning champions were glad that their goalkeeper Jason McDonnell was in top form as he saved two certain Inniscarra goals before half time.  Young Tomás O'Connor was in lethal form in the Inniscarra attack with strong support from Colm Casey, captain Timmy Murphy and Sean O'Donoghue: Stephen Olden was outstanding at midfield and in defence, Tommy Buckley,  John O'Callaghan, rock at centre back, and  indeed all six put in a massive effort.  At half time, Inniscarra led by 0-6 to 0-4, Greg Barrett, Denis Sheehan and Dave McCarthy the Kilmurry scorers, and at the three quarter stage they enjoyed a 0-8 to 0-5 lead.  Kilmurry then mounted a spirited revival and points from Dave McCarthy and William Buckley cut the deficit to the minimum but Kilmurry then had a serious reversal when they lost a midfielder to a second yellow card.  Inniscarra came back with two points in a row to lead by 0-10 to 0-7 with five minutes remaining and any lingering doubt about the outcome was removed when Colm Casey found the Kilmurry net to embellish an excellent performance from the underdogs.
Kilmurry did not play particularly well, coming into the game with an understandable false sense of invincibility perhaps, and they were short a few players who will be available in the future.  They will be better focussed for their next test from Blarney, who were themselves surprised by Macroom.  
Inniscarra: Jack Hayes: Tommy Buckley, Kevin Burke, Paul Kavanagh; Jack O'Dwyer, John O'Callaghan, Donal O'Callaghan; Stephen Olden, Alan Sheehan: Timmy Murphy, Seán O'Donoghue (0-2), Paul Farmer (0-1): Tomás O'Connor (0-5), Colm Casey (1-2), David Barry. Sub: Daniel O'Connell.  
Kilmurry: Jason McDonnell: William Barrett, Kevin Barrett, Eoin Barrett: Finbarr Crowley, Dave O'Leary, (Capt.), Adam Healy: James White, Pat O'Sullivan: David McCarthy, Dave O'Halloran, Jonathan Buckley: Denis Sheehan, Greg Barrett, Alan O'Sullivan. Subs: William Buckley, Liam Long and James Kelleher.
Referee: Mr. Liam Barry, Ballincollig.
 
    Clondrohid   2 - 8     Dripsey   0 - 12
The pre match forecast was for a close contest and this game at Cloughduv was all of that and the outcome was uncertain to the finish.  Clondrohid won because of the ability of Paddy Lynch to find the Dripsey net on two occasions in the second half when a goal was really needed, both goals set up by the industry of Aidan Kelleher and finished off by Lynch in the lethal fashion a talented striker.
Dripsey had a slight first half advantage and led by 0-6 to 0-5 at half time.  Three minutes after the restart Clondrohid struck for a morale boosting goal - Aidan Kelleher doing the approach grafting and then releasing to the flying Paddy Lynch who billowed the Dripsey net and gave his side the lead.  Back came Dripsey and the impressive Colm O'Grady, who had five points from play, reduced the deficit to the minimum and then Mark O'Sullivan's equaliser was followed by a lead point for Dripsey from Diarmuid O'Riordan. Centre back Jeremy O'Sullivan then came up field to level matters for Clondrohid and in the 50th minute of an exciting and very sporting contest Paddy Lynch kicked over a point to put Clondrohid back in front. When the Kelleher-Lynch combination followed up with a second Clondrohid goal the men from the west were in a strong position with a five point lead, 2-8 to 0-9, but Dripsey refused to submit and went all out in the closing phase to rescue the day.  Gary Murphy pointed a free and Colm O'Grady added two points from play but there was still a two-point gap between the teams at the final whistle. 
Clondrohid: Sean O'Callaghan: Oliver Kelleher, Sean Lynch, James Kelleher: Trevor O'Brien, Jeremy O'Sullivan, Conor O'Leary: Brendan Kelleher, Fergal Kelleher: Danny O'Riordan, Paddy Lynch, Mark Creed; David O'Leary, Aidan Kelleher, Darren Dineen. Subs;  Lorcan Lynch, Denis Desmond and Conor Desmond.
Dripsey: Ray Moynihan: Daniel buckley, Pat O'Riordan, Conor Hayes: David Buckley, Steve Murray, Aidan Murray: Diarmuid O'Riordan, Mark O'Sullivan: David O'Sullivan, Gary Murphy, Tom Ahern: Aidan Buckley, John Hogan, Colm O'Grady. Subs: Eoin O'Connell Shane Burke.
Referee: Mr Miah Moynihan, Grenagh.
  Donoughmore   2 - 11     Kilmichael   1 - 11
At the start of the final quarter in this game at Carrigadrohid, Mid Cork champions of 2011, Donoughmore, were leading by 2-10 to 0-8 and heading one felt for a comfortable victory.  Great championship battlers Kilmichael however put in a strong final quarter rally and had Donoughmore hanging on in the closing minutes.  In the dying seconds of time added on with one goal separating the teams, Kilmichael were awarded a penalty and Donoughmore goalkeeper Evan Forde emerged as the hero for his side when he blocked Danny Twomey's well struck spot kick and then spread himself sufficiently to force the kicker to drive the rebound wide.
Kilmichael started well and led by 0-4 to 0-3 after the opening quarter.  Danny Twomey, Conor Cotter, Colm Dromey and Alan Dromey scored for Kilmichael and Shane Healy, Darren Barrett and Stephen O'Connor had replied for Donoughmore.  Cian Dromey then kicked Kilmichael further ahead but Donoughmore drew level with points from Aidan O'Shea and Colm O'Callaghan and went in front for the third time with a point from an Aidan O'Shea free in the 20th minute.  Donoughmore's Darren Barrett and Daniel Forde were now on top at midfield and constant pressure yielded a goal in the 23rd minute, Shane Sexton lashing the ball to the Kilmichael net after good approach work by Aidan Corkery. Shane Sexton added a point and at half time Donoughmore led by 1-7 top 0-5.
On the restart, a massive point for Kilmichael from Michael Twomey was matched by a point for Donoughmore from a fine Aidan O'Shea free.  Daniel Twomey pointed a Kilmichael free and then Evan Forde did exceptionally well to advance and deny Colm Dromey of a goal at the expense of a fruitless ‘45'.  Aidan O'Shea pointed another Donoughmore free and then a lash from Daniel Forde was partly blocked by Shane Masters in the Kilmichael goal and the ball dropped back over his head into the empty net. Colm O'Callaghan added a point, Michael Twomey had one for Kilmichael, and it was 2-10 to 0-8 in the 44th minute.
In the 49th minute, Kilmichael were awarded a penalty for a foul on Alan Dromey, Daniel Twomey took the kick, Evan Forde blocked the shot but Twomey netted the rebound, 2-10 to 1-8.  Alan Dromey punished Donoughmore fouls with two fine points from frees and then Finbarr Buckley punched over a point in the 58th minute to reduce the gap to two points.  Aidan O'Shea eased Donoughmore worries with a fisted point and then at the end, Evan Forde denied Kilmichael a second chance with a second penalty save. 
Donoughmore: Evan Forde: Denis O'Connell, James Honohan, Barry Crowley: Kevin Horgan, Paul Crowley, Aidan Corkery; Darren Barrett, Daniel Forde: Stephen O'Connor, Shane Healy , Shane Sexton; Olly Murphy, Colm O'Callaghan, Aidan O'Shea. Sub: Alan Twomey.
Kilmichael: Shane Masters: Colin Murphy, John O'Riordan, Stephen Kelleher: Finbarr Buckley, Simon Foley, Adrian Kelly: Finbarr Dromey, Michael Twomey; Cian Dromey, Conor Cotter, Alan Murphy: Alan Dromey, Daniel Twomey, Colm Dromey.
Referee: Mr John Ryan, Macroom.
   Macroom   4 - 8     Blarney   2 - 9
Macroom had a shock in store for the 2009-10 champions Blarney at Carrigadrohid in the first round of the championship.  After Michael Cronin opened the scoring with a point for Macroom, Blarney replied with a point and a goal from a Pa O'Sullivan penalty was a major boost.  A second Blarney goal in the 26th minute, from Colm Sheehan, split four points for the tourist village side, Blarney led by 2-5 to 0-2 as half time approached and they looked to be heading for the expected easy victory.  In injury time, Macroom's Pat Kelleher and Darren Creed combined to release Denis Quinlan for a great goal, Michael Cronin added his third point from a free and Macroom were back in with a chance, 2-5 to 1-3, but they did have to face the strong cold wind in the second half. 
Blarney increased their lead with a point on the restart but then Darren Creed scored a fine goal in the 37th minute to narrow the gap to three points.  Blarney had a man red carded and Macroom were really back in the hunt.  Michael Cronin pointed a free, and in the 48th minute Michael Cronin was on hand to lash the ball to the Blarney net from close range to put Macroom one point ahead.  Two minutes later John Goold took a pass from Pat Kelleher and fired in a smashing goal and Macroom were buoyant and leading by 4-4 to 2-6.  Blarney replied with a point and then shot a penalty over the bar and Macroom finished strongly with four points in a row without reply in the last five minutes from Darren Creed, Creed again, John Goold (a fisted point) and then John Goold kicked over a long range free, into the wind and over the bar.
Macroom: Dylan Dinneen: John Angland, Darren Kelly, Colm Casey; Michael Cahill, Darren McKenna, David Cotter: Kieran O'Shea, Brian Tiernan: Denis Quinlan, Darren Creed, Michael Cronin: Pat Kelleher, Mark O'Sullivan, John Murphy. Subs: John Goold, Darragh Crowley (Bloodsub).
Blarney: Shane Jordan: Craig Sykes, Eoghan Murphy, Padraig Conway: Paul Hallissey, Paul O'Leary, Mark O'Leary: Conor Foley, Owen O'Connor: Keith Costelloe, Pa O'Sullivan, Damien Hyde: Ivan O'Leary, Sean O'Sullivan, Colm Sheehan. Subs: David Cremin.
Referee: Mr Timmy McCarthy, Clondrohid.
 Aghinagh   1 - 6     Eire Óg   1 - 6
Last year's ‘B' championship winners Eire Óg showed that they are well up to the ‘A' standard when they faced Aghinagh at Carrigadrohid.  Aghinagh started in great style and took the game to Èire Ã’g, but despite their early dominance, they failed to capitalise and scored just one point from Declan Ambrose in the first 15 minutes.  The Aghinagh defence was very much on top at this stage and Mikey O'Brien was dominating mid-field so the Aghinagh forwards had plenty of quality ball.  Unfortunately, they missed some easy frees and scoring opportunities made difficult by blustry conditions, and managed just two more points before half time from the boot of Donal Corkery.  It was 0-3 to 0-3 at half time.Èire Ã’g came very much into the game in the second half.  William Coakley put Aghinagh 4 points to 3 in front, Èire Ã’g equalised.  A Donal Corkery goal and a Jeremiah Kelleher point put Aghinagh in a good position, but Èire Ã’g responded with a goal from David Sheehan and a point to draw level again.  Micheál Corkery restored Aghinagh's lead, but Èire Ã’g levelled with five minutes to go from a Ronan O'Toole free.  Èire Ã’g had the better chances to win the game but justice was done perhaps and the sides finished level.
Aghinagh: William Ambrose: Dermot O'Callaghan, Seamus O'Leary, Alan Hourihan: Trevor Burns, Dave Barry, Sean Horgan: Con Lehane, Michael O'Brien: Declan Ambrose, Miceál Corkery, Jeremiah Kelleher: William Coakley, Donal Corkery, Seán Kelleher. Subs: Noel Lehane and Jeremiah Corkery. 
Eire Óg: Philip O'Sullivan: Sean O'Connor, Kieran O'Sullivan, Colm Murphy: Eanna Lowney, Barry Corkery, Denis O'Keeffe: Daniel O'Shea, Andy O'Herlihy: Ronan O'Toole, Ryan Kennerick, David Sheehan (1-1): Paul Ryan (0-2), Barry O'Neill (0-2), John Malone. Subs: Tony Dineen, Denis Murphy (0-1), Jack O'Driscoll and Gerard McSweeney.
Referee: Mr Ger Ahern, Canovee.
   Iveleary   2 - 10     Ballincollig   2 - 10
This game at Kilmurry was an exciting encounter and a draw was a fair outcome.  Iveleary as championship finalists last year were favoured to win but Ballincollig were boosted by the success of their seniors earlier in the week and played way above their previous league form.
Cathal Vaughan opened the scoring with an Iveleary point after ten seconds but Ballincollig hit back with a goal from Ian Coughlan.  Barry O'Leary had an Iveleary point and in the tenth minute Cathal Vaughan was fouled in the Ballincollig goalmouth, a penalty was awarded and Vaughan duly slammed the spot kick to the net.  Denis O'Leary added a point to put Iveleary a goal clear.  Ballincollig hit back with two points but then Barry O'Leary, after great combined play between Daniel O'Riordan and Denis O'Leary finished to the net to put Iveleary four points in front.  Two Ballincollig points were followed by three points for Iveleary from Ger McSweeney, Denis O'Leary and Finbarr McSweeney and so at half time Iveleary led by 2-6 to 1-5 but they would have to face the wind in the second half.  
A point from a Cathal Vaughan free increased the Iveleary lead on the restart, Ballincollig replied but Vaughan pointed another free.  Ballincollig then scored three points in a row before Barry O'Leary pointed to leave Iveleary 2-9 to 1-9 ahead.  A goal for Ballincollig from the experienced Fergal Keohane levelled matters with eight minutes to go but Daniel O'Riordan kicked a point to inch Iveleary back in front.  Five minutes from time Ballincollig equalised from a Brian Glavin free and this was the final score of a fine game. 
 Iveleary: Joseph Creedon: Gerard O'Riordan, Donal Cotter, Kevin Hourihan: Sean O'Leary, Cal McCarthy, Shane Galvin: Edward Buckley, Daniel O'Riordan: Barry O'Leary, Ger McSweeney, Denis O'Leary; Finbarr McSweeney, Cathal Vaughan, Brian Cronin. Subs: Seanie Lehane and David Hourihan.
Ballincollig: John Noonan: Shane Murphy, Adrian Hanley, JP O'Leary: Cian McCarthy, Brendan Fitzgerald, James Cooper: Brian Kelly, John Lawlor: Brian Galvin, Stephen Coughlan, Diarmuid Nolan: Fergal Keohane, Ian Coughlan, Peter O'Neill. Sub: Con Breen.
Referee: Mr David Murnane, Macroom.
  Second Round (1st round losers) Pairings:
 Eire Óg  v  Kilmichael
Dripsey  v  Ballincollig
Blarney  v  Kilmurry
 Third Round Qualifiers: Inniscarra, Clondrohid, Donoughmore, Macroom, Aghinagh, Iveleary, together with the winner of the three second round games.