Carrigaline footballers edge out Uibh Laoire with Niall Coakley winner to lift Paudie Palmer Memorial Trophy
Carrigaline captain Chris O'Herlihy, players and young supporters celebrate after defeating Uibh Laoire in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 2 FL final at Ovens. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Carrigaline edged out Uibh Laoire in a dramatic finish to claim the McCarthy Insurance Division 2 Football League Title at Ovens.
The inaugural Paudie Palmer Memorial Trophy rather fittingly goes back to the South East division after Man of the Match Niall Coakley clipped over the winning point deep in injury time, which took his tally for the night to 2-6.
In a superb game, Carrigaline were the better team and led by eight points midway through the second half. But Uibh Laoire drew level after a mighty comeback, which included a brilliant goal from Conor O’Leary and a brace of two pointers from Sean O’Leary and Ian Jones.
Cork senior star Brian O’Driscoll was superb on the night while his inter-county teammate Chris Óg Jones didn’t tog out after picking up a knock against Mayo last weekend.
Carrigaline started in blistering fashion with a Brian Coakley converted free and a crashing goal from Niall Coakley following an intercepted kickout. Carrigaline extended their lead with a superb Niall Coakley point before Uibh Laoire registered their opening score with a fisted effort from Cathal Vaughan.
A monstrous two-pointer from Jack McCarthy edged Carrigaline six points clear after 15 minutes before Uibh Laoire replied with points from Conor O’Leary and Sam Pickering.
A brilliant Uibh Laoire team move involving Brian Cronin and Timmy Roberts resulted in Sean O’Leary crashing the ball against the crossbar when a goal looked certain. Cronin clipped over a superb score from out on the sideline. This was developing into a real contest and Carrigaline’s Kevin O’Reilly landed another good point.
Almost immediately, Cathal Vaughan, who always looked threatening, landed a beauty. Cork star Brian O’Driscoll was heavily involved throughout and he clipped a super point to ensure his side led by 1-9 to 0-6 at the break.
On the resumption, Uibh Laoire upped their accuracy and Ian Jones and Sam Pickering landed two lovely points which reduced the gap to four points. Vaughan converted a placed effort and suddenly it was game on.
But Carrigaline responded with three great points, an excellent brace from Niall Coakley and a lovely score from distance by his brother Brian. Another marauding run from Brian O’Driscoll resulted in a Carrigaline penalty and Niall Coakley calmly dispatched to the net.
Uibh Laoire battled on and a crashing goal from Conor O’Leary rallied his side. Carrigaline goalkeeper Chris Laverty saved superbly from Ciaran O’Riordan before Inchigeela landed consecutive two pointers from Jones and Sean O’Leary to draw level.
One last attack resulted in a placed effort for Carrigaline and the imperious Niall Coakley slotted over the final kick of the game.
N Coakley 2-6 (1-0 pen, 0-1 f), J Mc Cathy (2pt), K O’Reilly, B Coakley (0-1 f) 0-2 each, E Desmond, B O’Driscoll 0-1 each.
Uibh Laoire: C Vaughan 0-5 (0-3 f), I Jones 0-4 (1 2pt), C O’Leary 1-1, B Cronin, Sean O’Leary (2pt), S Pickering 0-2 each, J McSweeney 0-1 each.
S Mellet ; B Murphy, C O’Herlihy, E Murphy; D Griffin, B O’Driscoll, K McCarthy; J McCarthy, P Mallett; C Kearney, N Coakley, E Desmond; B Coakley, R Delaney, K O’Herlihy.
C Laverty for S Mellet (h-t), S Turner for Pa Mallet (46), N O’Keeffe for B Coakley (50), T Vaughan for K O’Reilly (50).
J Creedon ; C Galvin, D O’Donovan, D O’Riordan; K Manning, C Ó Riordan, S Ó Riordan; T Roberts, C O’Leary; B Cronin, C Vaughan, S Pickering; S O’Leary, I Jones, J Sweeney.
F McSweeney for K Manning(45), B O’Riordan for B Cronin (48), O Herlihy for D O’Riordan (55), K Jones for J Sweeney (55).
R Whelan (Aghinagh)
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