| Last Sunday at Watergrasshill
our Junior ‘A’ football team qualified for their second East Cork Final in a
row. We meet Erins Own once again in a unique final,which will be played in Pairc Úi Rinn
in Cork City under lights. Last Sunday’s win
over Cobh was a really outstanding performance given the circumstances leading up to the
game. Our Intermediate hurling championship win the previous Sunday had heralded
unprecedented celebrations throughout the parish. By Wednesday night, however, there were
25 players back training on the pitch for football. They had a further session on the
Friday night. Our last football game was a league match against Aghada in August so the
prospects of beating Cobh who had been concentrating on and playing football for 3 months
seemed remote. This bunch of players, however, have a great attitude and mighty spirit. I
saw this at first hand on Saturday afternoon, physio Liam O’Reilly was on duty and as
players came for a rub down and a cup of coffee, the craic was mighty.
Onto the ‘Hill then on Sunday where our U-15 hurlers
played a great game against Carrigtwohill in the East Cork final before losing by 2
points. Great to see so many Rovers supporters present on a wintry day. Cobh with Cork
player Derek Barrett were prominent early on and lead by two points to nil. The freetaking
of Hugh Kelleher and the accuracy of Colm O’Keeffe in the corner kept us in
contention. On a few occasions Cobh looked liked opening up a 4 or 5-point lead but we
pegged them back. James Murphy had to leave the game with a serious leg injury and was
replaced by his brother Barry. Coming up to the break we were just 2 points behind, 0-6 to
0-4. Then Colm won a great ball and sent it to the back of the net. Cobh missed a free to
level and we went in 1-4 to 0-6 ahead.
Our long lay off from football was evident enough in the
first half but the second half was a different story. Playing towards the road our lads
lifted their game and took over completely. They were like a team transformed and each and
every player got on top. We thundered forward and soon got well on top of Cobh. We added 7
great points to lead by 1-11 to 0-9 with less than 5 minutes left. Cobh got one back but
we were still 1-11 to 0-10 up and in complete control. Then we had a player dismissed with
a red card and the game changed. We lost our shape as Cobh surged forward and got through
for a goal. Deep into injury time now as we led still 1-11 to 1-10. Cobh attacked again
and were awarded a free which Derek Barrett pointed – level 1-11 each.
With the final imminent extra time had been agreed to.
Memories of 1995 in Lisgoold against Cobh. That night Cobh snatched an equaliser and then
in the extra time they added 1-5 to 0-2. Team coach Denis Reidy and Pat, Alan and Brendan
had only two words of advice for the lads "Dig Deep".
Cobh had the better start to the extra time. Two Derek
Barrett frees saw them 1-13 to 1-11 ahead. Hughie Kelleher narrowed the gap to one before
the first 10 minutes had elapsed. Derek Barrett edged Cobh two ahead once more at the
start of the second period of extra time.A quick free from Hughie was collected by Pat
Walsh for a great point. As time ticked away Brendan Walsh kicked over the equaliser and
it looked as if the teams would have to meet again. Then from the Cobh kickout the ball
came to MikeHogan, as he has often done over the years, he kicked a classic winning
point.We were ahead 1-16 to 1-15. Play went on and Cobh attacked. The ball was cleared and
‘twas over. A great win chiselled out of hard work, spirit and determination. So for
the second year in a row we’re back in the final.
Last year Erins Own beat us in a replay in Glenville.
Having played 4 under 21 games under the Pairc Úi Rinn lights, Erins Own will be the hot
favourites on Friday night.
The first ever East Cork final played outside of East
Cork and the first EastCork final to be played under floodlights should make Friday
night’s game unique.The game is fixed for 7.45pm with the lights going on at 7.15pm.
The club’s main football sponsor is Rathcormac Tyres
and we are grateful to Pat Whelan for his generous financial support.
It will be a great moment when Terry Broderick leads his
team out onto Pairc Úi Rinn on Friday night. Whichever team emerges victorious will have
little time to celebrate, as they will have to play Fermoy in Ballyhooley on Sunday
afternoon, ach sin scéil eile. Go for it lads,ye can do it! |