Under 12 Footballers win East Cork Final

On Sunday evening May 23^rd our under 12 footballers won the East Cork Express sponsored East Cork Championship by defeating St Itas. This game was played in glorious sunshine at the fabulous Erin’s Own facilities at Caherlag.

St Itas won the toss and elected to play against the sun in the opening half.

Jason Pratt started us off on a winning note, scoring a point after 1 minute of play, this was followed by a well taken goal from Gerard Healy to leave us leading by 1-1 to 0-0 after just two minutes of play. Jason Pratt had a further point on the 5^th minute before St Itas’ scored their first goal following a good run from the left hand side of the field. On the 14^th minute St. Itas scored another point to leave the scoring 1-2 to 1-1 at the end of the first quarter. The game flowed up and down the field with Michael Howard and Paul Dee performing well at the back with sound support play from Padraig Sheehan and Barry Collins. Our mid fielders were getting a tough time from the Itas’ midfield trio. On the 21^st minute Brian Hogan scored a point, Jason Pratt added another. St. Itas and Jason Mannix exchanged points, and on the stroke of half time the seasiders added a point to leave us leading 1-5 to 1-3 at the break.

St Itas started the second half in powerful style with the assistance of the strong sun by scoring two brilliant goals in as many minutes. We were now gone from a cushion of two points to trailing by four. In typical Bride Rovers fashion, (never say die) we clawed our way back to level terms thanks to a point from Kieran Cahill and a goal from Jason Mannix.  Now it was really shaping up into a contest with all hands on deck. Our backs closed down the Itas defence, Barry Collins powered into the game blocking, clearing and supplying forwards with good quality ball .Richard Foley working and hassling for every ball. The introduction of Fergus Collins, who had  just recovered from a broken arm was a significant factor when introduced at mid filed. He made a couple of crucial interceptions resulting in Rovers going on the attack. Maurice Dooley saved a “rasper” and  deflected it over the bar We added a further five points from Gerard Healy, Jason Mannix, Kieran Cahill, Jason Pratt and Brain Hogan whereas St. Itas could only manage four which left us in front by the minimum on a score line of 2-11 to 3-7. We were deserving winners and celebrated by doing the ring, followed by minerals and crisps in the clubrooms.

Team: Maurice Dooley, Padraig Sheehan, Michael Howard, Paul Dee, Barry Collins, Brian Hogan, Jason Mannix, Richard Foley, Damien Buckley, Jason Pratt, Gerard Healy, Kieran Cahill (Capt.)

Subs:Daniel O’Sullivan, Fergus Collins, Billy Kelleher, Shane Smith, David Sheehan, David O’Leary, Ann Marie Kearney, Daniel McHugh, Kieran Sheehan, Jonathan Brackett.

Scores:Jason Mannix 1-2, Jason Pratt 0-5, Gerard Healy 1-1, brain Hogan 0-1, Kieran Cahill 0-2

Coach: Pat Walsh

Selectors:John Pratt (Sec), Paudie Collins, Liam Cahill, Seamus Buckley and Dan Dooley

Referee:Bernard Kiernan, Watergrasshill.