Cork 0-15 St. Patrick’s 2-8(After Extra Time)
Though this matchup was labelled the junior B2 championship football final, there certainly was nothing of the B ranking when it came to entertainment and excitement value, and points to ponder. It was level pegging at the end of regulation time, though Cork appeared at half time to be running away with the game. They led by 0-9 to 0-1, with St. Patrick’s solitary point coming just as the buzzer sounded. Cork played superbly in the first half as they capitalized on their lion’s share of possession to put nine unanswered points on the board, all coming from the unerring boot of Jer McCarthy, but he got plenty of help from Paul O’Connor, Pa Sheehan, Shawn McNamee, Tom Joe O’Sullivan and Mickey Lenaghan.
St. Patrick’s had nothing on the board until the last seconds, principally to resolute defending by staunch defenders such as Liam Hanley, Paddy Harrington, and Shane Delaney, plus the Pat’s lads didn’t help their cause with frequent wayward shooting. The second half turned out to be a very different affair, though initially it appeared that Cork would continue to coast comfortably.
St. Patrick’s didn’t seem to have much luck as two early shots rebounded off the post, plus they had a player sent to the line for a second yellow card offense. Meanwhile the stats will show that Cork failed to score in the second half, while St. Patrick’s put 1-5 on the board over the last 20 minutes despite the player deficit. Several Pat’s players upped their performances, most notable among them were Conor Duffy, Michael Hallissey, Thomas Conway, Ray Holian, Tommy Quinn, and John Ricks also had a huge impact coming off the bench.
Conor Duffy started the scoring spree with a pointed free and Conor Conway kicked a brace of frees off the ground. Midway a penetrating run by Ray Holian set up another scoring opportunity for the 40-man. Cork were now under siege as another powerful run by Seamus Keating ended with Conor Duffy pointing the resultant free. A Tommy Quinn free from an acute angle reduced the deficit to one major score as time ticked away. With time almost up, St. Pat’s did get a major opportunity for a major score. Ray Holian was downed in the penalty box, and the referee after consultation with his umpires, duly pointed for a spot kick. With time expired Michael Hallissey blasted the ball to the corner of the net, thus tying up the game, 1-6 for Pats and 0-9 for the Rebels, thus necessitating extra time to determine a winner.
There were two 10-minute periods. In the first period, Pats had the better of the exchanges, A movement that began on the goal-line with keeper Brendan Reilly continued at pace up field, and with the keeper being a vital link, ended with Conor Duffy blasting the ball to the net. Then a defense-splitting run by John Ricks ended with a foul and Michael Hallissey sent over the resultant free. John Ricks looked to be on track for a goal but keeper Jason McDermott did well to deflect the shot out for a “45”. On the other side, Mickey Lenaghan got one back after Sean Collins delivered the pass.
On the changeover, Cork took control as they put four unanswered points on the board in five minutes courtesy of Mickey Lenaghan(2), Sean Collins and Eoghan O’Dwyer to take the lead. It was soon back to stalemate as St. Pats belted over a “45” against the wind with just 2 minutes left on the clock. It looked as if a replay was imminent after top scorer Jer McCarthy dropped a shot short. However, Cork still had an opportunity as the ball was worked back to Tom Joe O’Sullivan, and he confidently sent it over the black spot as the buzzer was sounding to claim 2023 the New York Junior B2 championship.
This game could arguably have gone either way, but Cork’s more judicious use of options and possession in the first half, as opposed to St. Patrick’s waywardness on the scoreboard, tilted the pendulum in the Rebel’s favor. In addition this was quite an experienced Cork squad as many of them strutted their stuff at senior level in times past. I’m sure St. Pats will be disappointed after coming so close, but you have to give them great credit for the second half comeback when their goose seemed to be well and truly cooked.
Cork: Jason McDermott, Dennis McCarthy, Shane Delaney, Paddy Harington, Enda Lowney, Shaun McNamee, Liam Hanley, Paul O’Connor, Pa Sheehan, Tom Joe O’Sullivan, Conor Hunter, Enna Barry, Mickey Lenaghan, Deckie Reilly, Jer McCarthy(capt). Subs Gary Lowney, Dan Kavanagh, Ryan Hilland, Adrian Cranston, Mikey Sheehy, Sean Quinn, Eoghan O’Dwyer, Darragh O’Sullivan, Padraig McGill.
St. Patrick’s: Brendan O’Reilly, Kian Larese, Chad Wade, Dylan Carroll, Ray Holian, Seamus Keating, John Passero, Michael Hallissey, Conor Duffy, Seamus Carolan, Thomas Conway, Nigel Teelan, John Feeney, Darragh Murphy, Tommy Quinn. Subs. Seamus Cannon, Fergal Byrne, John Teelan, Brian Forde, John Ricks, Isaias Mones. Players of the game: Jer McCarthy and Tom Joe Sullivan. Referee Jeff Farrell.
