Walsh bags late Kanturk winner in extra time comeback against Robert Emmets in U21 AFC final

Kanturk 3-12

Robert Emmets 1-17 

(aet) 

KANTURK fought back from six points down in extra time to snatch a late winner from county player Tommy Walsh to see off the considerable challenge of Robert Emmets in a dramatic Central Stores Duhallow U21AFC Final before a huge attendance in Banteer.

In a game that throbbed with excitement, hard graft, sheer heart and commitment surrounded a terrific advertisement for football, Kanturk rallied strongly in the second period of extra time to grab two goals to force parity before Walsh delivered the winner from out the field in a most assured and emphatic manner.

That gained Kanturk the silverware, completed after surviving a tremendous battle with the spirited Newmarket and Lismire combination. Adding intrigue to the contest were brilliant individual battles, none more so than Walsh moving to full back at the outset to curb the threat of Emmets dangerman Hugh O’Connor.

The Cork County U20 player displayed early promise on setting up Cian O’Sullivan for a lead Emmets goal.

However the Kanturk response was immediate, Dylan O’Connor’s delivery found Alan Walsh to net.

The action swung back and forth, Emmets taking encouragement from the powerful contribution of Mikie Browne, well supported by Jack O’Connor, Conor Sheahan and Eamon Hayes.

Upfront Brion O’Keeffe and Hugh O’Connor delivered quality points only for Kanturk to answer from Brian O’Sullivan and Bryan Healy to trail 1-5 to 1-4 at the interval. After O’Connor added a pair of pointed Emmet frees, Kanturk offered a spell of pressure, Colin Walsh and O’Sullivan on target, all square 1-10 apiece by the end of the hour.

Into extra time, Emmets set a cracking pace, six points without reply from O’Connor, David Cottrell and Conor Sheahan put distance between the sides, Emmets leading 1-16 to 1-10 at the end of the opening period. 

Kanturk threw caution to the wind, Tommy Walsh’s move to midfield worked a treat, a scramble saw Alan Walsh net from close range.

After the sides traded points, Walsh won a penalty, Grantas Bucinskas converting for deadlock. 

The battle raged before county man Walsh won possession 45 metres out to confidently dispatch the ball between the uprights for the match winner.

Scorers for Kanturk: A Walsh 2-2, G Bucinskas 1-3 (1-0p, 0-3f), C Walsh 0-3 (0-1f), B O’Sullivan 0-2, B Healy, T Walsh 0-1 each.

Robert Emmets: H O’Connor 0-10 (0-6f, 0-1’45), C O’Sullivan 1-3 (0-1 mark), B O’Keeffe, J O’Connor, D Cottrell, C Sheahan 0-1 each.

KANTURK: R Cashman; N Forde, D O'Connor, Ciarán Carroll; S Moylan, T Walsh , M Hootan; A Walsh, B O’Sullivan; D Grey, C Walsh, B Healy; C Walsh, G Bucinskas, Callum Carroll. 

Subs: J Raudys for Ciarán Carroll, C Vaughan for D Grey, R Harrington for C Vaughan.

ROBERT EMMETS: K Daly; S Murphy, J O'Connor, R Lynn; C Sheahan, M Browne, E Hayes; D Cottrell, D O'Keeffe; J Sheahan, C O'Sullivan, M Lane, B O'Keeffe, H O'Connor, P O'Sullivan. 

Subs: E Goggin for P O’Sullivan, P Goggin for S Murphy.

Referee: J Kelleher (St. John’s).