Premier SFC: Seán McDonnell's late leveller for Mallow sends relegation play-off to replay

Carrigaline 2-3

Mallow 1-6

A 62nd-minute point from Seán McDonnell earned Mallow a draw in yesterday’s Bon Secours Hospital Cork Premier SFC relegation play-off at Blarney.

While both Mallow and their opponents Carrigaline had expected the end of normal time to bring an extra 20 minutes, referee Cormac Dineen brought affairs to a conclusion, meaning the two clubs retain top-flight status until they meet again.

A game played in difficult conditions had no first-half wides and finished with 27 players on the pitch. Carrigaline lead by three points at half-time despite not having raised a white flag. By the 50th minute, the margin was five and they were four in front with as many minutes remaining but a goal from Mallow sub Seán Hayes made for a nervy finish. Mallow pushed for the equaliser and they were rewarded as corner-back Paul Lyons did well to claim a break before off-loading to McDonnell. While he faced a tight angle from the left, he sent the ball over to earn his side a reprieve.

For long periods, it looked like the concession of two first-half penalties would prove fatal to the hopes of Mallow, who were relegated from the senior A hurling grade by Inniscarra at the same venue a week ago. Inside two minutes, former Cork panellist Niall Coakley latched on to a loose ball and dribbed soccer-style before being felled by a Lyons sliding tackle. Coakley’s brother Brian sent his spot-kick high and down the middle, giving Kevin Doyle no chance.

Mallow did produce a strong immediate response, with captain Ryan Harkin opening their account before Kevin Sheehan landed a free. However, any momentum was quickly halted as Carrigaline – for whom captain and full-back Ian Sheerin was prominent – struck for a second goal. The Coakleys combined again, Brian winning Niall’s delivery and being hauled down for another penalty. The outcome was the same as the first one, 2-0 to 0-2 after 16 minutes.

Mark Kelleher did set up Harkin for his second and Mallow’s third point before half-time, but a late black card for Stephen O’Callaghan left them facing a period early in the second half with a player less.

Carrigaline’s manpower advantage was lost early in the second period as Olin Barry saw black, but that didn’t stop them extended their lead as Brian Coakley fired over a great point from the right. When Jack McCarthy won the subsequent kickout, Éanna Desmond was on hand to make it 2-2 to 0-3.

While Mallow kicked the game’s first wide on 37, they added to their tally with another Sheehan free before Carrigaline’s Callum Barrett was red-carded. Soon after that, both sides were down to 14 as Sheehan received two yellows in quick succession.

When Jack McCarthy recorded a good mark for Carrigaline and sent the ball over, they were five in front again but Harkin’s third gave Mallow hope. They were rewarded on 56 as Matty Taylor and Shane Merritt combined with Lyons to give Hayes a goal chance, which he made the most of.

McDonnell levelled and, when Carrigaline lost Brian Coakley to another pair of bookings, it looked like he would miss the impending extra time, but it did not materialise and the sides live to fight another day.

Scorers for Carrigaline: B Coakley 2-1 (2-0 penalties), J McCarthy (0-1 mark), É Desmond 0-1 each.

Mallow: R Harkin 0-3, S Hayes 1-0, K Sheehan 0-2f, S McDonnell 0-1.

CARRIGALINE: C Dungan; C O’Herlihy, I Sheeran, N Quirke; C Murphy, C Barry, J McCarthy; Kieran Kavanagh, Kevin Kavanagh; C Barrett, N Coakley, E Ryle; B Coakley, O Barry, É Desmond.

Subs: D King for Murphy (18, injured), P Mellett for E Ryle, D Griffin for Kieran Kavanagh (both 47), T Vaughan for O Barry (53), K McCarthy for J McCarthy (60, injured).

MALLOW: K Doyle; E Crone, P Lyons, B Myers; S O’Callaghan, M Taylor, S Copps; D Moynihan, S Merritt; J Glynn, R Harrin, J Dillon; K Sheehan, S McDonnell, M Kelleher.

Subs: M Tobin for Crone (half-time), S Hayes for Glynn (48), L Walsh for Kelleher (55).

Referee: C Dineen (Douglas).