Bride Rovers come good to defeat Fermoy and secure semi-final in fiery Senior AHC clash
Bride Rovers' Conor Hazelwood stumbles to the ground as he is challenged by Fermoy's Padraig de Roiste during the Co Op Superstores Senior A Hurling Championship match in Ballynoe. Picture: Howard Crowdy
They were made to work for it – but Bride Rovers came good late on to edge out Fermoy in the Senior A Hurling Championship in Ballynoe on Saturday evening.
Their five point win wasn’t as convincing as the scoreline would suggest, but they’ve done enough in scoring difference to ensure a semi-final spot, and can credit the final five minutes for that.
Brian O’Sullivan, who had caused countless problems for Bride Rovers playing as a sweeper in the first half got the bulk of Fermoy’s scores, and he did so again in the 54th minute with his sixth free, leaving just a point in it.
They had put it up to Rovers for the duration but that would be their final score, and the Rathcormac side reeled off four to close out the win.
First to hit the target was Patrick O’Flynn in the 56th minute, before Adam Walsh landed a superb effort to put Rovers three points up.
The following puckout went straight to O’Flynn, and the centre forward returned it to Shane Coughlan with a point, 0-16 to 0-12 with three minutes to go.
Tempers flared for the third time between the teams, and with little surprise given what was at stake between the two rivals.
Cork senior Brian Roche impressed at centre back and showed his class as he came out with the sliotar after referee David Daly threw in the ball – before dashing forward and popping it over.
Heading into added time Fermoy almost netted a goal through Darragh Daly, but an outstanding block from Jamie Peters on the line preserved Rovers’ lead and they held on for a crucial win.
The defeat means Fermoy are out, but they can hold their heads high.
In a fiery and physical first half, Bride Rovers started stronger, and led 0-6 to 0-2 after the first 19 minutes.
Rovers’ had two half chances at goal go to waste and Fermoy came back at them, first through Martin Brennan.
Three frees from O’Sullivan and one for Walsh meant it was 0-7 to 0-5 after 26 minutes, but Fermoy would draw level for the first of two times after O’Sullivan and Peter Murphy hit the target.
Bride Rovers got their lead back to two by half time, but Fermoy would come back again.
They drew level again after 48 minutes, 0-11 apiece – but Fermoy would have been in front were it not for a crucial hook from Denis Cashman to deny Shane Aherne a shot on goal in the 38th minute.
Two minutes after levelling the contest James Molloy forced a save from Bride Rovers' Cian Hogan, and they raised the tempo late on to snatch the victory.
A Walsh 0-8 (0-5 f), P O’Flynn 0-3, R O’Connell 0-2, C Ryan, C Hazelwood, D Barry, B Roche 0-1 each.
B O’Sullivan 0-7 (0-6 f), S Coughlan 0-2 f, M Brennan, J O’Brien, P Murphy 0-1 each.
C Hogan; J Peters, E Roche (Cpt), D Cashman; C Hazelwood, B Roche, C O’Sullivan; J Mannix, D Barry; C Ryan, P O’Flynn, J Ahern; R O’Connell, C Tobin, A Walsh.
K Kearney for Mannix (43), L Roche for O’Sullivan (50).
S Coughlan; G Lardner (Cpt), T Clancy, D O’Carroll; P Murphy, J O’Brien, P De Róiste; M Brennan, B Daly; A Aherne, D Daly, A Creed; D O’Callaghan, S Aherne, B O’Sullivan.
C Fitzpatrick for B Daly, J Molloy for A Aherne (both 39), D Lardner for O’Callaghan (44), J Carr for G Lardner (60).
David Daly (Brian Dillons)
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