Fermoy push on against Rockchapel to reach PIFC semi-final

Fermoy 1-15 (1-2-11) Rockchapel 0-13 (0-2-9)

This McCarthy Insurance Premier IFC quarter-final was very much in the melting pot till Fermoy grabbed their goal by Ben Twomey in the 58th minute. 

The game was finely poised until then, though the North Cork side, putting the controversy of their recent clash with Ballinora behind them, had gained the upper hand. Their reward is a semi-final clash with Kiskeam, with Uibh Laoire and Naomh Abán in the other semi.

Rockchapel had the aid of the stiff breeze in the first half and opened with an early Jason O'Callaghan point. Fionn Lardner replied for Fermoy but both defences were very solid. 

A foul on Seamus Hickey led to a two-point free by Ciaran Curtin and after missing two 45s, good play by Ewan Murphy led to a great John Walsh point to make it 0-4 to 0-1. 

Tomás Clancy responded, followed by a David Lardner free. Curtin and Lardner exchanged free before James O'Brien combined with Padraig de Roiste who kicked a fine point that had Fermoy 0-6 to 0-5 ahead at the break.

Rockchapel hit a purple patch on the changeover. Donagh Lenihan levelled and Shane Curtin edged them ahead after a four-man attack. In the 36th minute, Hickey and Adam Carroll worked well for a Walsh score. 

Fermoy regrouped well and got on top in midfield while Eoin Healy, Fionn Lardner, Shane Lardner and Ben Twomey were in great form up front. Healy hit a point with Jimmy McAuliffe replying. In the 43rd minute, Twomey levelled from a two-pointer, 0-9 apiece. 

Rockchapel edged ahead when Shane Curtin put Jason O'Callaghan through for a point. David Lardner levelled from a free and Clancy landed a two-pointer as Fermoy gained the initiative. 

Eoin Healy added another score while Rockchaepl found it hard to keep pace, though Ciaran Curtin replied with a point. 

Shane Aherne, now at midfield, fetched a high ball and combined with Darragh Daly which saw Twomey convert the key goal, 1-14 to 0-11. 

Aherne added another point with Fionn Murphy completing the scoring with a two-point free. 

Scorers for Fermoy: B Twomey 1-2 (2pt), D Lardner 0-4 f, P De Róiste 0-4 (1 2pt), E Healy 0-2, S Aherne, A Aherne, F Lardner 0-1 each.

Rockchapel: Ciarán Curtin 0-4 (1 2pt f, 0-1 f), J O’Callaghan, F Murphy (2pt f), J Walsh (0-2 each), S Curtin, D Lenihan, J McAuliffe 0-1 each.

FERMOY: D Dawson; J Molloy, L Aherne, P O’Neill; D Daly, T Clancy (c), P Murphy; P De Róiste, J O’Brien; F Lardner, G O’Callaghan, E Healy; B Twomey, S Aherne, D Lardner.

Subs: D O’Flynn for P De Róiste (4-9 temp), D O’Flynn for L Aherne (15 inj), A Aherne for G O’Callaghan (47), B Daly for E Healy (55), M Brennan for F Lardner (60), C Fitzpatrick for P De Roiste (62-FT temp).

ROCKCHAPEL: C Casey; B Carroll, E O’Callaghan, M O’Keeffe; J O’Callaghan, S Curtin (c), D Carroll; E Murphy, Ciarán Curtin; J Walsh, S Hickey, J McAuliffe; M McAuliffe, D Lenihan, Cormac Curtin.

Subs: A Carroll for Cormac Curtin (half-time), F Murphy for D Lenihan (51), S McCarthy for E O’Callaghan (62).

Referee: Peter O’Leary (Castletownbere).