RedFM Hurling League: Bride Rovers rampant in extra time of Division 3 final
Bride Rovers' Adam Walsh and Newcestown's Gearoid Ó Donovan battle for possession in Saturday's RedFM Hurling League Division 3 final at Riverstown
Bride Rovers finished strongly to outlast 14-player Newcestown after extra time in Saturday night’s RedFM Hurling League Division 3 final at Riverstown.
While seven points was the difference in the end as the Rathcormac/Bartlemy side made use of their numerical advantage in the second period of extra time, prior to that the sides were well-matched. That said, the winners will feel that they could have done without the additional minutes as they shot 15 wides compared to their opponents’ eight while Newcestown’s goals served maintain their foothold.
In extra time, the Bride Rovers charge was carried by those who had excelled throughout – David Barry at midfield and Conleith Ryan in the half-forward line, while Adam Walsh’s shooting from dead balls and play could not be faulted.
After the sides had finished the first period of extra time level – the same as at the 30- and 60-minute marks, Rovers finally found latitude. Conor Barry’s sixth point from play put them ahead for the first time since early in the second half of normal and Gilligan and sub Dan Dooley extended the lead to three before Walsh broke a clearance for Louie Roche to score the clinching goal.
Winning a game against premier senior opposition – albeit missing key players through injury – will give Rovers a boost as they face into a Co-op SuperStores SAHC campaign against Blarney, Courcey Rovers and neighbours Watergrasshill.
Despite playing into the breeze in the first half, the victors had three points in the opening two minutes through Roche and Ronan O’Connell (two). However, they would add just one more point in the opening quarter, with Newcestown scoring 1-6 in the same period.
After the West Cork side got up and running through Jack Meade’s sideline cut and the hardworking Ciarán Hurley, they hit the front as Eoghan Collins’ free from deep was won by Seán O’Donovan, allowing him to offload to Edmund Kenneally, who produced a superb finish to the net.
Bride Rovers’ wides tally began to mount and Newcestown pushed further ahead as young goalkeeper Ronan McSweeney’s puckout led to a pair of points for O’Sullivan and Seán O’Donovan. But for a good Cian Hogan save to deny Séamus O’Sullivan on 11 minutes, they would have been even further ahead before their opponents’ revival.
The assuredness of Eoin Roche in defence came to the fore while David Barry got on top at midfield and frees from Adam Walsh helped them to eat into the deficit.
A lovely point from wing-back Shane O’Connor, set up by Jason Mannix, tied the match, 1-6 to 0-9, and while Kenneally ended a 14-minute Newcestown drought, Walsh’s fourth of the evening sent the sides in level.
The opening stages of the second half saw the sides match each other. McSweeney had made a good save to deny Ryan, while at the other end Newcestown were denied a goal as the whistle went for a free in just before a scramble ended with the ball diverted to the net.
Kenneally put that over to make it 1-10 to 0-12 and David Barry replied before Newcestown stuck for another goal. This time, Kenneally was the provider after he won a puckout, his pass allowing Jack Meade to charge goalwards and finish well despite being impeded.
Rovers replied well to that with two from Conor Barry sandwiching a Roche point but in the closing stages Newcestown looked to have the edge as a pair of Kenneally frees gave them breathing space.
However, they were reduced to 14 men as corner-back James Kelleher was sent off after a challenge on Rona O’Connell to prevent a goalscoring chance. Walsh sent over that free but Kenneally replied after sub Daragh McSweeney was fouled following good work.
Bride Rovers refused to yield though and in injury time, good play from Roche and Cormac O’Sullivan led to frees that Walsh converted to bring his tally to nine.
It meant extra time was required and, despite being down a man, Newcestown managed to forge four ahead through a Kenneally free and a jinking run from Gearóid O'Donovan that resulted in a third goal. However, Rovers were level by the turnaround and then pushed on.
A Walsh 0-13 (0-9 f), C Barry 0-6, L Roche 1-2, C Ryan, D Barry, R O’Connell 0-2 each, S O’Connor, D Dooley 0-1 each.
E Kenneally 1-10 (0-7 f), J Meade 1-1 (0-1 sl), G O’Donovan 1-0, S O’Sullivan 0-2, S O’Donovan, P Collins, C Hurley 0-1 each.
C Hogan; D Cashman, J Peters, E Roche; C Hazelwood, C Tobin, S O’Connor; C O’Sullivan, D Barry; C Ryan, C Barry, A Walsh; J Mannix, R O’Connell, L Roche.
K Cotter for Roche (half-time), K Kearney for D Barry (44-47, temporary), Kearney for Mannix (48), D Dooley for Tobin (half-time in extra time).
R McSweeney; M McSweeney, E Collins, J Kelleher; Colm O’Donovan, G O’Donovan, N Murray; J Burrows, J Meade; S O’Sullivan, E Kenneally, S O’Donovan; Ciarán O’Donovan, P Collins, C Hurley.
F Ó Donnchadha for Ciarán O’Donovan (half-time), E Kelly for Colm O’Donovan (40), O O’Sullivan for Collins (49), D McSweeney for Ó Donnchadha (57, injured), Collins for Hurley (start of extra time), F Ó Donnchadha for O’Sullivan (63, injured).
C Lyons (Nemo Rangers).
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