Donoughmore tops --- as inch are off the pace by a mile

Donoughmore tops — as inch are off the pace by a mile
By Fr Liam Kelleher

Donoughmore 2-14 Inch Rovers 0-6

The much anticipated, clash of the titans, the Champions of ‘07 and ‘08 and the champions for the previous 11 years, failed to ignite at Pairc Ui Rinn on Sunday. The day was perfect, the crowd was reasonably big, granted it could be much bigger with many of Cork’s stars of the 5 ina row win the previous Sunday present. Inch going by the form of previous rounds, were firm favorites after Donoughmore had struggled to defeat Gabriel Rangers and Mourneabbey. But they were really up for it and as early as the end of the first quarter the writing was on the wall for Inch. Donoughmore’s enigmatic coach Mossie Barrett, was on his way from guiding Clyda Rovers to victory over Bantry Blues in the Intermediate championship, he could not believe his eyes when his charges were already 8 points up when he arrived. While Inch were the public’s and bookies favorites to succeed, the odds were considerably lessened with Amy O’Shea ruled out with an injury from Croke Park, and as we all can attest to, finals have a particular life of their own. Inch were quick off the mark with a point from Jill Horan, but that was as good as it got for them, for the afternoon. Donoughmore retaliated after a few attacks had broken down and Louise Murphy hit the net after 6 minutes, to give them a lead that they did not lose and which was never threatened subsequently. Another followed shortly afterwards, when Yvonne Twomey was fouled inside the square and while Juliet’s Murphy spot kick was charged down by former Waterford keeper Mary Hayes, Miss Murphy made no mistake from the rebound. Every time Inch tried, to break forward they found their progress blocked by Rena Buckley , Juliet Murphy and Linda Barrett, that trio with Regina Curtin controlled that central diamond section of the park . The Inch forwards got little scope from an alert and hard tackling Donoughmore defence and on the few occasions, when Inch had genuine chances to reduce the deficit, they found Catriona O’Connell unbeatable, between the posts. Inch really should have done better, with 2 gilt opportunities for goals, from Mary O’Connor and Jill Horan, but when tis not your day its not your day. A succession of points from Aisling O’Connor Yvonne Twomey and three from Juliet Murphy extended the challengers lead to an impressive. 11 points by the 20 minute mark. Inch did have another chance before the break, when an uncharacteristic mistake, with a misplaced back pass, saw Jill Horan clean through, but she shot weekly to provide O’Connell with an easy block.
Signalled end
That really signalled the end of Inch and the 2nd half was merely academic. Angela Walsh did, make a few good runs, but she found the blanket cover, like zone defence in basketball, impossible to penetrate. One would have thought, that inch would have used her excellent defensive qualities, to hold that sector of the team together, at least for the opening sequences. The work rate of Rena Buckley and Juliet Murphy, was phenomenal and both showed why they are such an integral part of Cork’s 5 in a row, indeed such was the display of Rena, that she seems lost in the last line of Cork’s defence. She found the time time and energy to score 2 magnificent points, the last to end the game and she just about edged out the player of the Match accolade from Juliet. This mattered little, the Senior cup was, what counted and a thrilled Juliet collected the cup, that she feared, would never be in her hands again and the celebration was akin, to winning the cup for the first time. Credit Donal Roche for a fine job of refereeing, but in truth, his job was made easy, by 2 teams intent on playing football, he applied the rules liberally and that greatly contributed to a free flowing game. We must also note that it did not help Inch Rovers cause that 4 of their squad lined out in the drawn Co Senior camogie Final 2 hours earlier. Teams. Donoughmore Cartiona O’Connell, Eimear Walsh, Rena Buckley, 0-2 Linda Barrett Rosie O’Mahony Orla Healy Aisling Barrett, 0-1 Regina Curtin Juliet Murphy capt 1-7(0-5f) Ann Marie O’Shea, Yvonne Twomey, 0-1 Patrice Kearney, Rachel Barrett, Louise Murphy 1-0. Aisling O’Connor. 0-2 Inch Rovers. Mary hayes, Mairead kennedy, Ciara Walsh, sandra Smiddy, Fiona Walsh, Annie Walsh, 0-1 Ella Ryan Ann Marie Walsh, Orla Cotter Aoife McCarthy, Angela Walsh, 0-2 Lydia Williams, Jill Horan 0-1 Mary O’Connor 0-2f Jessica O’Shea. Subs Claire Keohane, Jenny Duffy, Fiona Neville.
Munster Junior Semi Final.
Clonakilty 6-29 Dungarvan 0-2.
If ever there was a classic mismatch, this was it. Clonakilty romped through this game and through the Dungarvan defence, like a dose of salts and had the game wrapped up, by the 10th minute, when they found their range. They had scored 4-17 by the interval without reply and I had visions of the highest ever score i witnessed, in football, when Cork scored 8-34 in the first round of the Munster Championship under 14 at Grenagh in April 2000 before on to win the All-Ireland title. The scoring rate dried little in the 2nd period, as the Clon mentors gave game time to their fringe players. This kind of drubbing is not good for football and it was on the cards that Clon would be so strong after receiving 3 intecounty payers from the Kilmeen club, which disbanded at adult level. Clon Scorers. Sharon Whelton 1-9 Aimee Barrett 2-0 Maria O’Donovan 1-2. Mary O’Donovan 1-2 Juanita Brennan 0-5 Aine O’Leary, 1-1 Eileen Jennings 0-3 Claire O’Leary 0-2. Beulah McManus 0-2, Sinead O’Neill 0-1
Douglas win
In the 3rd game of the day the opening game Douglas inspired by Cork under 14 star Claire shine were too strong for a gallant Banteer outfit in the under 16 B Co Final.
Co. 12 aside final.
Passage had a narrow 1-7 to 1-5 victory over
Grenagh, in the Co Junior 12 a side final, at Ballincolig on Friday night.

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