Ross Oil
Mid Cork Junior Football Championship - 3rd Round
 Dripsey   0 - 9     Inniscarra   0 - 7
This very local derby was a credit to both teams, their clubs and their supporters. It was fiercely contested but in the best traditions of manly sport and could have gone either way.  The teams were level at half time at 0-5 each and then Dripsey drew ahead by two points but failed to put Inniscarra away.  In the final six minute of the game Inniscarra fought back and drew level and could have got a match winner but instead Dripsey came again and two late points, the first from Colm O'Grady followed by a clincher from Gary Murphy in the 32nd minute, won them their passage to the quarter finals and a meeting with Kilmichael.
The wind favoured Inniscarra in the opening half.  Mark O'Sullivan put Dripsey in front in the second minute with a shot from the right corner and it took Inniscarra another six minutes to find the target, Sean O'Donoghue kicking over a point to level.  Paul Framer gave Inniscarra the lead in the 11th minute but David O'Sullivan levelled matters before the first quarter ended and then Stevie Murray put Dripsey ahead in the 16th minute.  The impressive Sean O'Donoghue quickly equalised and then put Inniscarra back in front and when Colm Casey availed of a misdirected pass in the Dripsey defence to send over another point, Inniscarra side were two points clear with nine minutes to go to half time.  After a scoreless six minute period, Dripsey broke the stalemate with a point from an Aidan Buckley free and Gary Murphy then hit the upright with an 25 metre free for Dripsey but atoned with a point from 40 metres free in the 31st minute to leave the sides level at half time at 0-5 each.
Dripsey with the wind went back in front with a point from an Aidan Buckley free after four minutes and Stevie Murray doubled their advantage four minutes later.  A period of Dripsey dominance followed but they kicked some bad wides over the next quarter hour and left themselves vulnerable to an Inniscara rally.  The rally did come, greatly aide by the introduction of seasoned campaigners John O'Callaghan and Liam O'Riain and Sean O'Donoghue's point in the 25th minute was the encouragement they needed to drive on.  The sides were level in the 57th minute when Dan O'Connell kicked over and in the subsequent play Inniscarra had a few great chances and Sean O'Donoghue was very unlucky to see his effort go inches wide of the post.  Time was nearly up when Stevie Murray and Davey Buckley set up a chance for Colm O'Grady which the corner forward availed of to put Dripsey back in front and then Gary Murphy's point from way out on the wing was greeted with an appreciative roar from the Dripsey supporters as it guaranteed victory.
The game was an excellent contest and Inniscarra showed that their victory over champions Kilmurry in the first round was no fluke.  Dripsey, beaten in the first round but later winners over Ballincollig, look to have regained their form and on this display come back into the reckoning for ultimate championship honours. 
Referee John Ryan did an excellent job and was greatly helped by the positive attitudes of the teams.  Well done to all concerned!     
Dripsey: Ray Moynihan: John Carey, Pat O'Riordan. Daniel Buckley: Aidan Murray, Robert Daly, Stevie Murray: Mark O'Sullivan, Conor Hayes: Diarmuid O'Riordan, Gary Murphy, Aidan Buckley: David O'Sullivan, Davy Buckley, Colm O'Grady. Sub: Thomas Ahearne (55th min.), John Hogan (58th min.).
Inniscarra: Jack Hayes: Tom Buckley, Kevin Burke, Donal O'Callaghan: Jack O'Dwyer, Paul Kavanagh, Timothy Murphy: Stephen Olden, Alan Sheehan: Paul Farmer, Sean O'Donoghue, Dan O'Connell: Tomás O'Connor, Colm Casey, Dave Barry. Subs: John O'Callaghan (40th min.), Liam O'Riain (50th min.)
Referee: Mr John Ryan, Macroom.