Cork got the measure of Tyrone in this senior football clash but their mentors will be worried about their capability to finish off the opponent once they have the upperhand. Two weeks ago they capitulated to Kerry despite a big lead while they came close to imploding to Tyrone despite having a considerable lead and a two-man advantage.
It took two great points from Jason Kelly to push Cork into the victor's circle as a powerful second half rally orchestrated by Sean Armstrong had the Corkmen sending out Mayday signals, but Kelly came to their rescue. Both teams traded early points, Kelly for Cork and Maguire for Tyrone before Ian Rowland and Mark Cronin extended the Rebel's lead. By midway Tyrone had jumped back in front courtesy of a Sean Armstrong goal. Armstrong out fielded his opponent to grab a long ball from Jason Killeen and then used his skill, savvy and strength to blast the ball to the net.
Cork then came close for a major as keeper Corrigan dove well to deny Cronin after Frank Clune set up the chance. However Kelly salvaged a point from the resultant "45" to tie up the game at the midpoint.
Within the next five minutes Cork hit a golden streak as they would open up a six points lead. First Kelly pointed for a foul on the surging Liam Hanley while Cronin chipped in with another before Kelly landed one of his trade mark specials from the wing. The goal soon followed as Kelly and Ian Rowland combined well for Cronin to blast home from close range. Tyrone's troubles were further compounded when fullback Aidan Power was given a red card for flattening Francie Cleary. The remaining segment was relatively even as both teams would add three points to leave the Rebels leading by 1-10 to 1-4 at the break.
Cork as has been their vulnerability failed to press home their advantages in the second half while Tyrone were undaunted by the deficit and their numerical disadvantage. The Northerners, being driven and led by Armstrong, scored straight from the throw in. Adrian Fitzgerald soon added another while good work from Conor McNabb and the industrious Armstrong set up Killeen to narrow the gap further.
Cronin had Cork's first score of the period after ten minutes before an unscheduled bout of pugilism erupted. Once again there were far too many players, team mentors, would-be peacemakers and an assortment of team helpers involved. Once referee Sean Jones restored order, Conor Skeffington was banished with a red card while Jason Kelly was cautioned with a yellow.
Cronin then added a point but Tyrone's subs Paul Cahill and Niall Farrell began adding a bit more bite to their team's effort. Cahill and Kelly exchanged minors before Tyrone's tenacity forced defender Harrington to foul the ball. Armstrong punished the infraction and he did likewise when sub Farrell won a free, leaving a goal between the sides with five minutes left.
Alarm bells were soon ringing in the Cork camp when Armstrong sent the keeper the wrong way with a penalty after Cahill was grounded. However Kelly pushed Cork back in front with a coolly struck free from 55 yards. A minute later he outdid his heroics as he launched over another from 65 yards with plenty to spare. Cork just about hung on thanks to Kelly 'stellar scores under pressure, while Tyrone could feel proud of their second half effort but unfortunately they will rue their indiscipline.
Cork Darren O'Mahoney, Sean McNamee, John McLoughlin, Paddy Harrington, Liam Hanley, Colin Lynch, John Fitzpatrick, Gary Lowney, Rory Stafford, Ian Rowland(0-2), Johnny O'Sullivan(0-2), Francie Cleary, Mike Cronin(0-4), Jason Kelly(0-8), Frank Clune. Subs. Pat Mahoney, Brian Kelliher, Tadgh Foley, Gary Hanley, Aidan O'Mahoney, Derek Courtney Tyrone Damien Corrigan, Michael Gallagher, Aidan Power, Joe Bell, Steve Keating, Brendan McGourty, Seamus Skeffington, Conor McNabb(0-1) Jason Killeen(0-1), Niall Cunningham, Michael Coleman, Ciaran Campbell, Adrian Fitzgerald(0-1), Patrick Maguire(0-1), Sean Armstrong(2-5). Subs Conor Skeffington, Niall Farrell(0-1), Paul Cahill(0-1) Referee Sean Jones Man of Match Jason Kelly
Leitrim win with ease
On entering this game these neighbors were perched in the nether regions of the table, so it was imperative for both teams to strive eagerly for victory. In the opening minutes Cavan looked to have the upper hand as Tommy Warburton and Gerald McCarthy floated over early points.
However, once Leitrim got in the groove the forward division played with great cohesion and coherence as they began to reel off some very impressive scores. Tommy Freeman led the way and Paul Greville was a revelation in the corner. Midfielder Keane soloed up the wing to land a spectacular point while a number of players from both teams were distracted with some pugilistic issues.
Leitrim continued to dominate as midfielders Madden and Keane supplied quality ball to Tavey, Woods and company as they set up and took scores with aplomb. Such was Leitrim's dominance that fullback Paudge O'Connor sauntered up the field for a score while a great ball from Greville left Freeman staring into the eyes of the Breffni keeper but the Farney man blasted over. At the other end, Leitrim's defense after a shaky start settled down well and limited Cavan to just a single score, a point from Paddy McCullough. Leitrim coasted to the break leading by 0-13 to 0-3.
Leitrim continued to rout the Breffni men as Freeman floated over a free for a late hit on Greville as he bore down on goals. Greville was soon back on his feet and in the thick of the action as he sent a daisy cutter sizzling by the post after Dan Doona and Freeman combined to set him up. Further waves of Leitrim pressure increased the tally to 17 points after ten minutes, before there was any tangible reply from Cavan. Gerald McCarthy and Keith Cardin finally ended the long drought with points but Freeman quickly negated the minors with a major as he finished a nice give and go with Tavey before he exited the game.
For the remaining quarter, Cavan had the better of the exchanges as they would add five points mostly from placed balls by McCarthy. Leitrim's emphatic victory was fashioned from exciting and inventive forward play coupled with a dominant midfield display which propels them to fourth in the standings while Cavan stand all alone at the bottom of the table.
Leitrim Pa Ryan, John Goldrick, Paudge O'Connor (0-1), Kevin O'Brien, Lonan McGuire, Alan O'Sullivan, Ciaran Scannell, Pat Madden, Dermot Keane(0-1), Dan Doona, Rory Woods(0-1), Kieran Tavey(0-4), Paul Greville(0-4), Ken O'Connor, Tommy Freeman(1-6) Subs Ryan O'Sullivan, Jeff Farrell, Mike Creegan, Adrian O'Connor, Paddy Daly Cavan Maurice Dee, Paul Lambe, Kevin Cardin, Ciaran Martin, Tommy Warburton(0-1), Thomas Fahey, Ronan McGinley, Paddy McCullough(0-1), Alan Carolan, Brendan Reilly, Michael Boyle, Barry McGinn, Brian McCarthy, Ian Davis, Gerald McCarthy(0-6) Subs Sean McGibney, Joey McKeon(0-1), Keith Cardin(0-1), Justin O'Halloran Referee Tom Fahey Man of Match Tommy Freeman
Dogged Dubs prevail
This intermediate match was another exciting affair with drama at the end. The Brooklyn Long Island squad appeared to be on the way to victory until two late points from Peter Hatzer snatched the spoils for the Dubs. Hero Hatzer equalized in the last minute and then managed to get the last kick in the air before the buzzer sounded. Despite all sorts of clamoring from officials and players the referee was perfectly correct to allow the score as the ball was clearly and cleanly struck before the horn sounded.
However for most of the game Brooklyn/LI had the better of the exchanges but they failed to fully exploit the advantage and hence paid the price at the end. Shane Carty opened the scoring for the Dubs. and then the combo squad went ahead with points from Hugh McNulty, James Connolly and Eamon Toner. For the rest of the period Brooklyn/LI marginally held the upper hand and went in leading by 0-8 to 0-6 at the break.
On the resumption Brooklyn/LI stepped up their performance and production as mid fielders Toner and Jones were supplying plenty of ball to the forward division. Jones was first on target while keeper Reilly did well to keep out a goal bound effort from the same player. Sean Murdoch would hit three in a row with Paudi Poland, Darren Moore and James Connolly providing valuable assistance. By midway they looked poised for victory as they led the Dubs by five.
However the Dubs showed dogged determination as they clawed their way back into the game with four unanswered points from Kennedy(2), Hatzer and Carty. At the other end Poland blasted wasted a good chance before Murdoch eased the pressure with a point. The pressure relief did not last long as Carty soon had the minimum between the sides as he pointed for a foul on himself. The tension was now reaching a crescendo as both sides strove to get the lead but Hatzer was the hero and the savior for the Dubs. when he answered for his team when the pressure would have wilted lesser men. Kelly's heroics may have been the talking point in the previous game but Hatzer stole the show if not the game in this one.
Dublin Alan Reilly, Colin Larkin, Adam Keaney, Fergal Powell, Paddy Lilly, Roland Carter, Conor Hunter, Keith Moran, Shane Carty(0-5), Niall Coughlin ,Paul McDaid, Peter Hatzer(0-6), Stephen Kennedy(0-3), Colm Madden Subs Andy Gray, Mark Connolly, Eoin Loughnane Brooklyn/LI Gavin O'Dwyer, Gary Moore, Stephen O'Kane, Bobby McGee, Kevin O'Callaghan, Paudie O'Rourke, Donagh O'Grady, Ryan Jones(0-1), Eamon Toner(0-1) Darren Moore, James Connolly(0-4), Declan McEleer, Sean Murdoch(0-5), Hugh McNulty(0-1), Paudie Poland(0-1) Subs Conor Moore, Enda Lally Referee John Fitzpatrick Man of Match Peter Hatzer
