Brilliant Buttevant show their class in Premier JFC semi-final win over Canovee

Buttevant 2-16 (2-2-12) Canovee 0-12 (0-2-8)

Buttevant delivered on their potential to overcome last season’s runners-up Canovee in a dominant showing in this McCarthy Insurance Group Premier JAFC semi-final at Glantane on Saturday.

All through the hour, Buttevant performed with an intensity and purpose that ultimately proved too much for Canovee to cope with. Operating the more polished and economical football, a smart and varied game decorated with excellent scores, all of Buttevant’s 2-16 tally came from play, good enough to secure a place in the decider against St Nick’s.

A flying start for Buttevant Mark Lenehan won possession from the throw-in to deliver a two-pointer. Though Canovee opened their account from a Jack Kelleher pointed free, Buttevant pressed forward, the Hanlon brothers, David and Conor on target to split the uprights.

Buttevant were close to a goal when brave defending by Canovee corner-back Eoghan Lehane denied Conor Hanlon. As the contest aged, Buttevant’s dominance became more pronounced, Michael Walsh, Seamus Madigan and Anthony O’Neill helped establish a strong platform in defence and midfield.

Upfront David Hanlon kicked back-to-back points, Lenehen posted his second two-pointer. Canovee attempted a recovery but Buttevant keeper Ronan Donovan denied Evan Dodd before a Kelleher point reduced the gap, 0-9 to 0-4 at half-time.

Buttevant maintained a grip on the restart, their position strengthened on Michael O’Neill placing Conor Hanlon to net. Canovee played their way back into contention, their initial score from play surfaced in the 35th minute courtesy of Mark Healy.

Healy added a second yet Canovee faced an uphill task four minutes later when a long-range delivery from Kevin Lenehen in the bright sunshine deceived Canovee keeper Ben Cheasty for an opportunist goal. Credit Canovee in an attempt to play their way back into contention, two pointers from Kelleher and Conor Dodd narrowed the arrears 2-11 to 0-10 at the three-quarter stage.

The Buttevant response was both positive and effective, regaining the reins of control with the Hanlon brothers obliging. Though Kelleher and Dodd replied for Canovee, they were unable to rescue a lost cause.

All through the hour, Buttevant controlled the game, bringing great energy, pace and passion to their play. A success-starved club in terms of football, Buttevant's biggest success was an intermediate title dating back to 1926.

Scorers for Buttevant: D Hanlon 0-6, M Lenehan 0-6 (2 tp), C Hanlon 1-2, K Lenehan 1-0, M O’Neill, P Behan 0-1 each.

Canovee: J Kelleher 0-7 (0-5 f, 1 tpf), C Dodd 0-3 (1 tp), M Healy 0-2.

BUTTEVANT: R Donovan; M Walsh, J Whelan, K Crowley; S Madigan, K Bowles, J O’Neill; A O’Neill, K Lenahan; M Lenahan, C Hanlon, D Ryan; D Hanlon, M O’Neill, A Trimm. 

Subs: K Sheehan for D Ryan (26), B O’Riordan for S Madigan (41), B O’Connor for K Bowles (55), P Behan for M O’Neill (57).

CANOVEE: B Cheasty; E Lehane, E McNabola, D O’Sullivan; C Dodd, R Delany, E Cunningham; A Murphy, C O’Neill; L Kelleher, J Moynihan, M Healy; A Moynihan, E Dodd, J Kelleher. 

Subs: D McMahon for D O’Sullivan (HT), S O’Connor for L Kelleher (46), W Aherne for E Cunningham (46), E McNabola for E Dodd (53).

Referee: J Kelleher (St John’s).