St. Pat’s Castleisland 5-8 to Sliabh Luachra Rathmore 4-6
St. Pat’s Castleisland and Pobalscoil Sliabh Luachra contested the Joe O’Connor Cup Final in Cordal. Conditions were tough for both teams but it was St. Pat’s who stormed into an early lead with the aid of the wind.
Jack O’Donoghue and Shane Browne kicked some great points in the opening minutes. But it was two goals in three minutes that had St. Pat’s in a commanding position.
The first goal came from Mint O’Connor after great work by Killian Dennehy, while the second came from Jack Brosnan who reaped the rewards of the hard work of Eoghan Shire.
Superbly Taken Goal
A well taken point by Eoghan Shire had St. Pat’s looking very comfortable, however, just before the first water break Rathmore responded with a superbly taken goal by their danger man Dara Nagle.
The score at the first interval was St. Pat’s 2-6 Rathmore 1-1.
In the second quarter Rathmore began to settle into the game with Padraig Moynihan and Sean Finnegan really coming to the fore. Shane Daly pounced on a rebound from a Dara Nagle effort and points from Moynihan and James Doyle brought Rathmore right back into contention.
Jack O’Donoghue got St. Pat’s sole score from a placed ball to leave the half time score St. Pat’s 2-7 Rathmore 2-2. Conditions deteriorated at the start of the second half and scores were at a premium.
Shire’s Great Vision
James Doyle brought the margin down to four points before St. Pat’s all but secured the title with a blistering five minute period. First up was Shane Browne to finish a great solo effort to the back of the net.
Then, Luke McShane was played through by great vision from Shire and he also finished calmly to the net.
Captain Ruairi Bourke was next to get in on the action just before the final water break. This left St.Pat’s with 13 point lead going into the last quarter.
Credit to Rathmore, they never gave up and began an onslaught on the St. Pat’s goal.
Two Quick Goals
Sean Finnegan was very unlucky to see his penalty go narrowly past the post and Owen O’Connor and Cillian Reidy were doing their utmost to keep Rathmore at bay.
However, Rathmore landed two goals in quick succession to remind St. Pats that the game was still there to be won.
The first goal came from David O’Leary and the second from Dara Nagle, who also added three points in this period.
Shane Browne settled the nerves for St. Pats by converting a free late on to leave the final score line read St. Pat’s, Castleisland 5-8 Rathmore 4-6.
Great Talent on Show
There was great talent on show from both sides. Ruairi Brosnan, was excellent for St. Pat’s throughout and he was ably assisted by Killian Dennehy and their captain Ruairi Bourke. Dara Nagle, Sean Finnegan and Padraig Moynihan were excellent throughout also.
Christy Killeen presented the Joe O’ Connor Cup to winning captain Ruairi Bourke who thanked the referee Gordan Kerins and Cordal GAA for having the pitch in such immaculate condition.
Scorers: St. Pat’s, Castleisland: Shane Browne, 1-3; Jack O’ Donoghue, 0-4; Mint O’Connor, 1-0; Jack Brosnan, 1-0; Luke McShane, 1-0; Ruairi Bourke, 1-0 and Eoghan Shire, 0-1.
Pobalscoil Sliabh Luachra: Dara Nagle, 2-3; Shane Daly, 1-0; David O’Leary, 1-0; James Doyle, 0-2 and Padraig Moynihan, 0-1.
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