Shannon Blues 1-15 Cork 2-17
It took extra time to separate the Blues and Cork in what
was the first Intermediate Final played in Boston in 13 seasons. The Blues had a 2 point lead late in the game
and Cork leveled with 2 late frees to force the extra period. Cork outscored the Blues, 7 points to 5, in
the extra 20 minutes to claim their third trophy in as many years having won
the junior A championship the last two years.
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Cork Captain, Adam Kenny accepts the Donie Kenneally Cup
from Kathleen Kenneally.
|
It was neck and neck between the teams for most of the first
half. After the sides traded points to
get things going, the Blues went on a four points to no score flurry. Playing some lovely passing football the
Blues looked like they might start to pull away. The period was almost capped with what would
have been a brilliant goal, however, Ger Comer’s shot went just the far side of
the posts.
Cork were back in it after a well taken goal from Nick
O’Mullane. The Cork corner forward
gathered the ball expertly and finished with a left footed shot that took the
keeper off guard. O’Mullane followed
with a stylish point and just like that the teams were all square. The Blues’ Paddy O’Connor pointed and was
followed by Conor Mullen as the passing and movement found the routes through
the Cork rearguard. O’Mullane pointed to
make it a 1-4 to 0-8 half time score in favour of the Blues.
Cork soon had regained the lead, a goal right off the throw
in had the rebels ahead. It was a
classic move with the ball into O’Mullane quickly dished to the inrushing
Tiernan Rushe who finished well. The
Blues answered with a Ger Comer point, however Cork went on a three point tear,
2 of the points very well taken efforts from Jack Lacey and Jack Barrett. Barrett was all over the place in the Cork
forward line making the play, and when the man from Leixlip had the ball in his
hand things happened for Cork. Captain, Adam
Kenny calling the shots at center back and snuffed out a number of forays
forward from the Blues..
The Blues had a good spell, one in which they might have
regretted a couple of missed chances.
Kieran McEnry made a couple of fine saves, first from Conor Mullen and
second from Paddy O’Connor. The Blues
also missed a couple of chances of points as the ball drifted wide from scoring
positions until Darren Wallace pointed.
The missed opportunities proved to be warning signs for Cork.
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| Dancin' in the Dark: Cork won it in extra time on Saturday evening as the light faded. |
A goal did come eventually from O’Connor who went low and
into the corner from the 14 yard line and the Blues led by one with 8 minutes
left. Maurice Young followed with a
point and the Blues were in the driver’s seat with the finish line in
view. The teams traded points before
Cork came back and won two 14 yard frees that were converted by O’Mullane to
put the game into extra time.
Cork pushed it home in the added 20 minutes. With the rebels turning the Blues and keeping
their opponents hemmed inside their own half for long stretches, points went
over from O’Mullane, A Barrett free, Jack Lacey and another free from O’Mullane. The Blues managed two points in the first 10
minutes, but were held scoreless in the final 10 minutes as players had to
either hobble off the field, or get on field treatment as muscles cramped up. Barret,
Frank Dillon and Darragh Murphy capped off the win as the darkness fell and the
mosquitos came out. It was a great win
for Cork and a great advertisement for Intermediate football in its first year
back to Boston.
Blues: Mike Moriarty,
Eamonn Kilgallon, Derek O’Brien, Darren O’Donovan, Tom Hannon, Conor Mullen,
Pat Murray, Maurice Young, Joe McHugh, Paddy O’Connor, Conor Fitzgerald, Darren
Wallace, Ger Comer.
Cork: Kieran McEnry,
Mike Carolan, Frank Dillon, Jack Lacey, Adam Kenny, Emmet Smith, Jack Lynch,
Mark Dalton, Jack Barret, Darragh Murphy, Tiernan Rushe, Conor Greene, Nick
O’Mullane.
By Rory O'Donnell
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