Rochestown bridge 20-year gap as they defeat Douglas to claim the Seandún Junior C Football title

Rochestown 3-14 (3-0-14)

Douglas 2-10 (2-0-10).

Rochestown have bridged a 20-year gap as they defeated near neighbours Douglas to claim the AOS Security Seandún Junior C Football title from the decider at Ballinlough.

This game produced an evenly-contested opening quarter. 

Rochestown seized the initiative in the second quarter, as they tagged on seven unanswered points, including a free. 

In a relatively low-scoring second half, two goals from Rochestown in the space of minute were to prove decisive, while scoring opportunities were at a premium in the final quarter.

Two points from Barry Fitzgerald and one by Liam O’Callaghan gave Douglas an early lead.

Tadgh Hanrahan and Paul O’Carroll each replied with points for Rochestown.

Douglas stretched the margin when Fionn Swanton got the game’s opening goal. 

Rochestown responded when Jason Walsh tagged on a point from play, to reduce the margin to three points.

Entering the second quarter, Rochestown levelled matters when Darragh O’Shea set up Michael O’Riordan for a goal from outside the Douglas 20-metre line. 

This was followed by Ian McAuliffe’s pointed free, which gave Rochestown the lead for the first time in the contest.

This lead did not last, as Swanton put Doulgas back in the lead with his second goal.

Rochestown had Doulgas pinned back for most of the second quarter.

Walsh added five points without reply and O’Carroll also added a point. McAuliffe converted his second free. 

This left the scoreline reading 1-11 to 2-3 in Rochestown’s favour at the interval.

John Farrell and Cian Clarke each tagged on points for Doulgas. Walsh replied with a pointed free for Rochestown.

In the 34th minute, Hanrahan set up Keith Rafferty for Rochestown’s second goal. 

Wayward kick-outs were proving to be Douglas’ undoing as Hanrahan won possession for Rochestown from a Douglas kick-out, to add his side’s third goal. This left Rochestown leading by ten points.

Fitzgerald and Clarke got a point each for Doulgas. Farrell also pointed a free, to reduce the margin to seven points.

Walsh converted his second pointed free for Rochestown, midway through the second half.

Douglas had Rochestown on the defensive for most of the final quarter, as Darragh McCarthy scored two unanswered points.

Wayward shooting from frees was to be costly for both sides in this period. Rochestown net-minder Ciarán O’Connor also pulled off some spectacular saves. 

The game’s final piece of action saw McAuliffe score his third point for Rochestown.

Scorers for Rochestown: J Walsh 0-8 (0-2f); T Hanrahan 1-1; M O’Riordan, K Rafferty 1-0 each; I McAuliffe 0-3 (0-2f); P O’Carroll 0-2.

Douglas: F Swanton 2-0; B Fitzgerald 0-3; J Farrell 0-2 (0-1f); D McCarthy, C Clarke 0-2 each; L O’Callaghan 0-1.

Rochestown: C O’Connor; M Biggins, G Scannell, D Redican; D O’Shea, D O’Leary, S More; I McAuliffe, T Hanrahan; M O’Riordan, B Kelleher, K Rafferty; J Walsh, P Hartnett, P O’Carroll.

Subs: E Ó Ceallaigh for O’Riordan (37), S Kelleher for Biggins (43), A O’Halloran for Kelleher (60+).

Douglas: C O’Donovna; J McMorow, E Cotter, S O’Meara; S Tynan, I Lucey, D Morrissey; M Lucey, M O’Callaghan; B O’Sullivan, J Farrell, N Fanning; B Fitzgerlad, C Clarke, F Swanton.

Subs: D McCarthy for Lucey (26-28, temp), for Fanning (h/t), A Kennedy for Morrissey (37), D Hughes for McMorrow (47), D Ryan for O’Sullivan (55).

Referee: Danny Duggan (Bishopstown).