Jack Curtin point swings cracking league game for Rockchapel against Mallow

Rockchapel 3-12 Mallow 2-14 

ROCKCHAPEL came good right at the end of the hour by virtue of a Jack Curtin point to sway matters over Mallow in a thrilling McCarthy Group Insurance Division 3 Football League encounter at Rockchapel.

When it mattered, the hosts displayed craft and character to eke out a narrow win to a contest that swayed back and forth. Importantly for Rockchapel, they returned to winning ways having been pipped by Aghada in their previous assignment.

Disappointment for Mallow, keen to erase a loss to Bishopstown, they enjoyed a narrow lead entering the latter stages only to come up short after the concession of two late points.

Rockchapel laid out their stall from the outset and availed from the effective play of Jason O’Callaghan, Ewan Murphy, Seamus Hickey, and Conor Kepple. And their cause earned a boost, good work by Murphy placed Mikie McAulliffe for a goal.

Indeed, Rockchapel might well have added further goals, Hickey blasted wide, Mallow keeper Josh Murphy saved superbly from McAullife before the woodwork denied Curtin. Steadily came more into the picture as Mark Tobin and Seán McDonnll found the range with points prior to Andrew Leneghen intercepting a mix-up in the Rockchapel defence for Mark Kelleher to fire home a lead goal.

However the Rockchapel response was swift, Ciarán Curtin, the provider for McAulliffe to raise his second green flag for a 2-5 to 1-6 advantage at the break. And the Rock’ restarted with a blast, Ewan Murphy found plenty of space to make inroads along the end line to net.

Mallow raised the tempo through the influence of Paul Lyons, Bill Myers, Ryan Harkin and McDonnell. At times, Mallow failed to make the most of opportunities by registering six wides during the third quarter.

It came right for the visitors, McDonnell and Seán Hayes combined for Eoin Kelleher to goal. Though Mallow lost Mark Kelleher to a black card, five points without reply nudged the visitors ahead.

Though Rockchapel levelled matters twice, a McDonnell point tilted matters in favour of Mallow. Back came Rockchapel, late points from Jimmy McAulliffe and Curtin helped secure the narrowest of victories.

Scorers for Rockchael: M McAulliffe 2-2, J Curtin 0-3 (0-1 f), E Murphy 1-0, L Collins (f), J McAulliffe, J O’Callaghan 0-2 each, S Hickey 0-1.

Mallow: M Tobin 0-5 (0-3 f), M Kelleher 1-1 (0-1 m), S Hayes 0-3 (0-1 m), S McDonald 0-3 (0-2 f), E Kelleher 1-0, L Walsh, J Glynn 0-1 each.

ROCKCHAPEL: C Casey; P Curtin, S Curtin, D Carroll; J O’Callaghan, M O’Keeffe, E Murphy; S Hickey, C Kepple; J Curtin, C Curtin, D McCarthy; J McAulliffe, M McCaulliffe, K Collins.

Sub: L Collins for D McCarthy.

MALLOW: J Murphy; S O’Connell, P Lyons, D O’Connor; D O’Sullivan, B Myers, L Walsh; R Harkin, J Dillon; M Kelleher, E Kelleher, S McDonnell; M Tobin, S Hayes, A Leneghan.

Subs: J Glynn for O’Connell, J O’Keeffe for A Leneghan.

Referee: D O'Leary (Kiskeam).