14-man Glanmire hang on against Gabriel Rangers for IAFC final spot
Glanmire's Darren Kenneally is tackled by Gabriel Rangers' Luka Bowen during the McCarthy Insurance Group IAFC semi-final at Clonakilty. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
A low-scoring yet thrilling encounter ended with Glanmire progressing to the McCarthy Insurance Group Intermediate A Football final.
The victors will face Boherbue in the decider after a gutsy display in Clonakilty.
This was despite a late black card for Daniel Moden The big score came on the stroke of half time as Conor Crowley's goal after a free from the wing taken by Timmy O’Donoghue was in some instances lucky but huge all the same.
That left it 1-6 to 0-6 at the break as Gabriels were hit with a sucker punch.
It was the victors who started the stronger as they led 0-4 to 0-1 inside 10 minutes.
Gabriels did open the scoring through a Mark Cronin free but four unanswered scores from Glanmire got them going.
Crowley hit the first from play for the day before O’Donoghue nailed a free from off the ground.
Corner forward Molden was impressive all day for the victors and hit the next two to increase the gap to three.
The West Cork side did hit respond well with Sean Kelleher converting a free before Kieran Roycroft pointed Rangers’ first from play.
Three placed balls followed as Molden converted two frees while Cronin saw his mark split the posts.
James O’Regan (free) and Gerald O’Callaghan points saw Gabriels level but Crowley then fisted home the dropping ball to send Glanmire in with the spring in their step.
O’Regan got Gabriels up and running in the latter half but David Lynch responded instantly for Glanmire.
Gabriels’ corner forward O’Regan struck over another free but Molden was on song for the East Cork side and hit over again.
The West Cork men have had serious stalwarts in this campaign, and they delivered to try and draw Glanmire back.
Cronin popped over a short range free and substitute Eddie Goggin hit over an inspirational kick.
Things got nervy for the East Cork team with two minutes of normal time to go as Molden received a black card for a deliberate drag down.
However, that wasn’t going to stop their stride.
David McCarthy converted a crucial pressure cooker free to leave two in it once more.
Mark Cronin pointed another placed ball which meant one last chance.
Killian O’Brien received the ball around 45 metres out, struck it, but unfortunately for Rangers, it went agonisingly wide.
Heartbreak and jubilation, two emotions filtered around Ahamilla come the final whistle.
The Glanmire bench erupted as they finally can see their good work at underage come together.
D Molden 0-5 (0-2 f), C Crowley 1-1, D Lynch, T O’Donoghue (f), D McCarthy (f) 0-1 each.
M Cronin 0-4 (0-3 f, 0-1 m), J O’Regan 0-3 (0-2 f), S Kelleher (f), K Roycroft, G O’Callaghan, E Goggin 0-1 each.
B O’Connell; O Kelleher, C O’Donovan, C Neligan; D Murray, D Kenneally, B Murphy; T Leahy, T O’Donoghue; H Jones, D Lynch, D Hogan; J Crowley, C Crowley, D Molden.
E Murphy for J Crowley (h-t), T Lonergan for H Jones (42), S O’Driscoll for T Lonergan (46, inj), J Kingston for T O’Donoghue (48), D McCarthy for T Leahy (52).
L Hegarty; L Hodnett, D Regan, D Roycroft; D O’Shea, K O’Brien, K O’Sullivan; P O’Driscoll, S Kelleher; L Bowen, K O’Driscoll, K Roycroft; M Cronin, G O’Callaghan, J O’Regan.
J O’Brien for D O’Shea (39), E Goggin for J O’Regan (50), M Vearncombe for D Roycroft (58).
Peter O’Leary (Cloughduv).
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