East Cork U21 HC: Bride Rovers score impressive victory over Sarsfields
Bride Rovers' Ronan O'Connell impressed in midfield scoring 0-2. Picture: David Keane.
From the moment Adam Walsh stepped up to convert from the penalty spot and fire Bride Rovers in front after three minutes – they were in control against Sars in Rathcormac on Monday morning.
Sarsfields put up a good fight all the way through and showed some promising spells, but overall they lacked conviction, particularly from frees.
The hosts kept Sarsfields out of reach in their Mulcahy Steel East Cork U21 A HC group fixture – largely due to the quality of their Cork U20 trio.
Cillian Tobin did damage in the first quarter playing as a sweeper. Though as soon as he raised a white flag, he was picked up by John Leddy.
The Sarsfields’ defender did a superb job to nullify him for the remaining three quarters, and even cancelled out Tobin’s early point with his own score in the first period.
That left room for Ronan O’Connell to impress in midfield and he finished with two points, while Denis Cashman was impenetrable at full-back.
With Sars trailing 1-9 to 0-7 at the interval, a goal from Darragh Long five minutes into the second period got them back into contention.
Their cause was hampered by a second yellow card for senior panellist Ben Nodwell in the 47th minute, and at that stage they were trailing by four.
By the 55th minute, the Bride Rovers lead had been stretched to five – but Sars worked a stunning team goal less than 60 seconds later.
An excellent delivery in from Sean Bracken was collected by Colm O’Regan. He turned away from goal and with Long unmarked and darting towards him – all it needed was a simple pass.
One-on-one Long made no mistake, 1-16 to 2-11.
Unfortunately for Sars they couldn’t turn it around. With seven of the minors who started their final defeat to Glen Rovers featuring – they came close.
Two frees from the ever present Walsh were split by Long’s attempt at goal from a free, but the Sars forward was denied his hattrick by Ronan O’Riordan.
Four points separated the teams at conclusion.
It took until the 13th minute for the game’s first score from play when Cillian McCarthy set up Sean King, but Walsh’s penalty was the difference, 1-3 to 0-3.
It wasn’t until the 28th minute that Rovers were able to stretch further in front, thanks to points from Louis Roche and O’Connell, 1-7 to 0-5.
The visitors weren’t entirely off the pace but by the 34th minute Bride Rovers’ lead was at a game high six points – until Long got his first of two green flags.
The ball in from Louis Casey caused chaos at the mouth of Rovers’ goal, and Long emerged with it for a simple close range finish, three point game.
Bride’s response to Sars’ goal was impressive – with the visitors unable to reduce the gap further. Their lead stood at five when Sars got their second goal in the 56th minute.
Again though, Bride Rovers ensured their opponents wouldn’t mount a comeback.
A Walsh 1-8 (0-5 f, 1-0 pen, 0-1 65), C Barry, L Roche, R O’Connell 0-2 each, C Tobin, E Cashman, C Barry, C Cotter 0-1 each.
D Long 2-4 (0-3 f) B Nodwell 0-3 f, C O’Regan, C O’Rourke, S King, J Leddy 0-1 each.
R O’Riordan; C Cotter, D Cashman, E O’Connor; D Barry, C O’Sullivan, L Collins; C Barry, R O’Connell; C Barry, E Cashman, A Walsh; J Ahern, L Roche, C Tobin.
R O’Callaghan for Collins (45), F O’Flynn for E Cashman (56).
J Austin; J Leddy, R Barry, J Huggins; L Casey, R Higgins, C O’Callghan; J Tierney, S Bracken; B Nodwell, S King, D Long; C O’Regan, C McCarthy, C O’Rourke.
R McCarthy for O’Regan (21-25, 35-38 both temp).
Brian Murphy (Carrigtwohill)
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