Premier JFC: Cobh beat St James' but miss out on qualification
Nathan O'Connell excelled for Cobh in their win over St James'. File picture: Eddie O'Hare
Though it was not enough to progress from Group 1 of the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier JFC, Cobh signed off with an impressive win over St James’ at Ovens on Friday night.
Going into the game, the East Cork side needed a win but also a defeat for Canovee against the already-qualified Kilmurry, along with a seven-point swing in scoring difference. While they did manage their end of the bargain – scoring the last three points to win by seven, despite playing much of the match with 14 players – Canovee’s win in Macroom meant their hopes were dashed.
The more material outcome of the result is a relegation play-off against St Nick’s for St James’, who competed well throughout but were unable to make their numerical superiority – it was 15 against 13 for a ten-minute spell in the second half – count on the scoreboard.
Leading by 2-3 to 1-1 at half-time, Cobh found themselves under pressure for a lot of the second half, with Joe O’Sullivan (two) and Frank Hayes on target soon after the resumption for St James’ while Cobh lost captain Conor McLoughlin to a black card.
Crucially, though, they never lost their lead, with an inspirational point from wing-back Adam McCarthy giving them breathing space at 2-4 to 1-4 as St James’ wides tally increased while Hayes was unlucky with a goal chance.
Though a good Joe O’Sullivan free cut the gap to two again, it was as close as St James’ would come, with Cobh pushing on in the closing stages. Left half-back Seán Cummins landed a great score following a turnover from their outstanding centre-forward, former Cobh Ramblers man Nathan O’Connell, before O’Connell got his third of the night and Darragh Heelan’s free made it 2-7 to 1-5.
While St James’ sub Alan O’Shea replied with a point just after his arrival, O’Connell capped a fine display with two late scores before Heelan added a free at the death.
Cobh had stamped their authority on the game early. The first score arrived in the third minute as Cummins’ delivery wasn’t dealt with in the St James’ goalmouth and Jack Ronan was able to bundle the ball in.
Points from O’Connell and Adam Hastings gave them a nice cushion before St James’ found their way back into the game when James O’Driscoll was fouled for a penalty, converted by Hayes.
Joe O’Sullivan added a nice point as St James’ play became more cohesive and Cobh’s cause suffered as full-back Ben Geary, booked for the penalty, received a second caution in the 18th minute.
However, despite the shortage in manpower, Cobh almost struck for a second goal as Cummins was only denied by a superb Diarmuid O’Donovan save and then another foray resulted in a penalty for them as McCarthy was fouled in the act of shooting.
Heelan netted from the spot and O’Connell added a lovely score just before half-time to send them in with a 2-2 to 1-1 lead. While that advantage was eroded early in the second half, it never disappeared.
N O’Connell 0-5, D Heelan 1-2 (1-0 penalty, 0-2 f), J Ronan 1-0, A Hastings, A McCarthy, S Cummins 0-1 each.
Joe O’Sullivan 0-4 (0-3f), F Hayes 1-1 (1-0 penalty), A O’Shea 0-1.
E Walsh; C McSweeney, B Geary, J McCarthy; A McCarthy, C McLoughlin, S Cummins; M O’Rourke, G Keating; D Heelan, N O’Connell, A Hastings; A Doran, J Ronan, D Kearney.
A Stanton for McSweeney, T Wilk for Doran (both half-time), A Lynch for Kearney (49).
D O’Donovan; M McCarthy (B), T Feen, P Whelton; M McCarthy (C); Críostóir Hayes, C Hennessy; K O’Leary, P Whelton; Conor Hayes, Joe O’Sullivan, D McCarthy; James O’Sullivan, J O’Driscoll, F Hayes.
P O’Sullivan for James O’Sullivan (half-time), D White for M McCarthy (C) (38), I Evans for D McCarthy (46), A O’Shea for F Hayes (59), K O’Brien for C Whelton (60+3, injured).
P Finnegan (Douglas).
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