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Gabriels win first Junior A Title
10/09/2010
Gabriels capture first-ever junior âAâ title
Gabriel Rangers 1-9 Clann na nGael 0-8
It may have lashed rain on their party in Skibbereen on Sunday evening but it is doubtful if anybody from Schull/Ballydehob felt a single drop as they watched their junior A footballers sweep to their first-ever SW title in that grade, convincingly banishing the challenge of the men from Drimoleague/Drinagh. This eagerly-awaited Maritime Hotel final was played in the most atrocious conditions as summer truly deserted us and the driving rain lashed down for most of the hour. It was to the credit of both sides that they served up such an entertaining and hard-fought contest in such conditions but, in truth, nothing was going to stand in the way of Gabriels and their first-ever title in junior A.
The strong wind drove the rain in sheets across the pitch, possibly favouring Gabriels a little in the first half, and they tore into the game from the very first whistle. The platform for their marvellous win came from midfield where the ageless Pat Nolan and the strong John Ward ruled the roost for much of the game. They also had the edge up front where five of their forwards got on the score-sheet, whereas only three of the Clann attack managed to score. The conditions suited defences and the Gabrielsâ rearguard hunted and harried their opponents to great effect so that Clann were never able to produce the free-flowing football we had seen in other games.
Gabriels also did a marvellous job in keeping the Clann half back line pinned back in their own half as it was this line which had created many of Clannâs attacking options in previous games. While both sides produced heroes on the day it was the better overall team work rate of the Gabrielsâ side which was the vital difference between the teams, a work rate that was not only admirable in the conditions but which Clann never really matched.
Gabriels also possessed the jewel in the crown in the person of corner forward Mark Cronin, who has been producing the scores all year and was on top of his game in this final. It was Cronin who grabbed the all-important goal in the 44th minute, a piece of opportunism that underlined his class and commitment. He was a clear winner of the man-of-the-match award on the day.
Hard knocks were given and taken but this was a thoroughly sporting encounter which was a credit to both clubs and to referee, Donal Shorten, who kept the lid on but allowed the play to flow at all times.
It was almost impossible to hold an umbrella in the driving wind and rain as the final got underway and Clann were first to register on the scoreboard when William OâMahony split the posts with a well-hit free. OâMahony emerged as one of the best of the Clann forwards but could never escape the clutches of the hard-tackling Gabriel backs.
John Ward was the first to show at midfield, with the sleeves of his jersey tucked up to his shoulders, Aussie Rules style, and he gave Gabriels a decided pull in that area, with his partner Pat Nolan soon emerging as a very steadying influence. The pressure was all from Gabriels as Cork minor full forward, Stephen OâMahony, using his size to great effect, fisted over the equaliser, Ger Hurley and Ger OâCallaghan kicked two great scores, Mark Cronin, winning great possession in the corner, pointed his first free and young minor Eddie Goggin made it five points in a row for the westerners. It was all going right for Gabriels at this stage with the defence, in which Gary OâCallaghan was outstanding in the corner, blotting out the Clann attack. The Scorchers finally managed to lift the siege with an Adrian OâDriscoll point and it was 0-5 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter, good shooting in the conditions.
As the rain worsened the forwards found it increasingly difficult to make headway and both teams were now finding it hard to score. Only a single point was registered in the second quarter, a marvellous 50m free from Mark Cronin, as Gabriels hit six wides and Clann five.
It was 0-5 to 0-2 at the break as both sides retired to the shelter of the dressing rooms and the supporters huddled under trees and umbrellas. When they emerged, Clann had introduced Jerry Cahalane to centre back, where he played very well, with the subdued MÃcheál âHaulie OâDriscoll moving to midfield instead of Danny Holland who had been well bested by John Ward in the first half. The changes seemed to work as it was Clann who got off to the better restart and Adrian OâDriscoll kicked a fine point.
However, the Gabrielsâ defence, well-marshalled by Kieran and Gary OâCallaghan, Tony Sheehan and Liam Hegarty wasnât budging an inch and it was the winners who struck for the next two scores when Cronin pointed a free and Eddie Goggin, highly impressive all through, pointed from play. It was beginning to look ominous for the Scorchers at this stage despite some spirited play from Haulie OâDriscoll, Derek Crowley, Brendan OâConnell and Ger OâDonovan. A point from OâDonovan gave them renewed hope but they were dealt a lethal blow in the 44th minute when Gabriels, four points in front, struck for the crucial goal. Unfortunately, it came in devastating fashion for the losers as goalie Eoin Daly attempted to solo out from goal but was blocked down by the eager Stephen OâMahony. In a flash Mark Cronin was onto the break and cool as ice lobbed the ball into the empty net from 30m.
Game set and almost match for the winners, even though there was still fifteen minutes remaining but a seven-point lead was intimidating indeed in the conditions. Clann were too game to give in and they set about reducing the lead in the last quarter with William OâMahony, Adrian OâDriscoll, and Pat Joe OâDonovan giving their all in attack. One wondered why they moved OâDonovan so far from goal in the closing stages as he had been their top goal-scorer all season. OâDonovan pointed a free and OâMahony did likewise to close the gap to five but their rising hopes were dealt another shattering blow in the 47th minute when Adrian OâDriscoll was dismissed for a second yellow card.
OâMahony kicked another free to cut the lead to four with five minutes remaining but Gabriels, with Pat Nolan using all his experience at midfield and Séamus Kelleher winning loads of possession on the wing, were not going to be denied this time. Three times they had tasted the bitter pill of defeat in finals but there was no panic this time as the memories of 1979, 1983 and 2005 were truly banished in those closing minutes.
Mark Cronin eased any worries the supporters might have been feeling when he pointed a free in the 59th minute and even though Jamie Walsh grabbed the last score of the game for the Scorchers, the stonewall Gabrielsâ defence was never going to concede a goal and on a final score of 1-9 to 0-8, the first junior A title was finally in the bag. A long time coming had come at last.
The scenes of delight in the pouring rain had to be seen to be believed after the final whistle and it was all of fifteen minutes before enough order could be restored to present the trophy. It was hard to ascertain whether it was raindrops or tears of joy on many faces as captain Kieran OâCallaghan accepted the Mick McCarthy Cup from Declan Walsh, chairman of the SW Junior Board.
The Man-of-the-Match award, sponsored by OâNeill Brothers Sports, was presented to Mark Cronin by Con OâNeill.
Referee, Donal Shorten, St. Maryâs.
Despite the atrocious weather conditions the OâDonovan Rossa Club had everything in perfect order and made life as bearable as possible for the large attendance.
Verdict â Itâs hard to beat hunger and from the first whistle it was apparent that Gabriels were really psyched up for this encounter and were absolutely determined to win their first junior A title. Fore and aft they won the hard ball and their blend of young and old worked perfectly on the day. A solid defence, a hard-working midfield and a very lively attack made them deserving winners of the Mick McCarthy Cup.
Scorers; Gabriel Rangers â Mark Cronin 1-4, 0-3 frees, Eddie Goggin 0-2, Ger Hurley, Ger OâCallaghan and Stephen OâMahony 0-1 each.
Gabriel Rangers â Darren OâMahony, Kieran OâCallaghan (captain), Tony Sheehan, Gary OâCallaghan, Aidan OâMahony, Liam Hegarty, John OâCallaghan, John Ward, Pat Nolan, Sheamus Kelleher, Ger Hurley, Ger OâCallaghan, Mark Cronin, Stephen OâMahony, Eddie Goggin. Subs, Don Ward, Eoin Kelleher.
Clann na nGael â Eoin Daly, Finbarr OâConnell, Tomás Connolly, J J Collins, Derek Crowley, MÃcheál OâDriscoll, Brendan OâConnell, Danny Holland, Ger OâDonovan, William OâMahony, Jamie Walsh, Adrian OâDriscoll, Paul OâRourke, Pat Joe OâDonovan, Vincent Collins. Subs, Jerry Cahalane, Shane Connolly, Danny Cahalane, Karl OâShea.
âCois Farraigeâ
Gabriel Rangers 1-9 Clann na nGael 0-8
It may have lashed rain on their party in Skibbereen on Sunday evening but it is doubtful if anybody from Schull/Ballydehob felt a single drop as they watched their junior A footballers sweep to their first-ever SW title in that grade, convincingly banishing the challenge of the men from Drimoleague/Drinagh. This eagerly-awaited Maritime Hotel final was played in the most atrocious conditions as summer truly deserted us and the driving rain lashed down for most of the hour. It was to the credit of both sides that they served up such an entertaining and hard-fought contest in such conditions but, in truth, nothing was going to stand in the way of Gabriels and their first-ever title in junior A.
The strong wind drove the rain in sheets across the pitch, possibly favouring Gabriels a little in the first half, and they tore into the game from the very first whistle. The platform for their marvellous win came from midfield where the ageless Pat Nolan and the strong John Ward ruled the roost for much of the game. They also had the edge up front where five of their forwards got on the score-sheet, whereas only three of the Clann attack managed to score. The conditions suited defences and the Gabrielsâ rearguard hunted and harried their opponents to great effect so that Clann were never able to produce the free-flowing football we had seen in other games.
Gabriels also did a marvellous job in keeping the Clann half back line pinned back in their own half as it was this line which had created many of Clannâs attacking options in previous games. While both sides produced heroes on the day it was the better overall team work rate of the Gabrielsâ side which was the vital difference between the teams, a work rate that was not only admirable in the conditions but which Clann never really matched.
Gabriels also possessed the jewel in the crown in the person of corner forward Mark Cronin, who has been producing the scores all year and was on top of his game in this final. It was Cronin who grabbed the all-important goal in the 44th minute, a piece of opportunism that underlined his class and commitment. He was a clear winner of the man-of-the-match award on the day.
Hard knocks were given and taken but this was a thoroughly sporting encounter which was a credit to both clubs and to referee, Donal Shorten, who kept the lid on but allowed the play to flow at all times.
It was almost impossible to hold an umbrella in the driving wind and rain as the final got underway and Clann were first to register on the scoreboard when William OâMahony split the posts with a well-hit free. OâMahony emerged as one of the best of the Clann forwards but could never escape the clutches of the hard-tackling Gabriel backs.
John Ward was the first to show at midfield, with the sleeves of his jersey tucked up to his shoulders, Aussie Rules style, and he gave Gabriels a decided pull in that area, with his partner Pat Nolan soon emerging as a very steadying influence. The pressure was all from Gabriels as Cork minor full forward, Stephen OâMahony, using his size to great effect, fisted over the equaliser, Ger Hurley and Ger OâCallaghan kicked two great scores, Mark Cronin, winning great possession in the corner, pointed his first free and young minor Eddie Goggin made it five points in a row for the westerners. It was all going right for Gabriels at this stage with the defence, in which Gary OâCallaghan was outstanding in the corner, blotting out the Clann attack. The Scorchers finally managed to lift the siege with an Adrian OâDriscoll point and it was 0-5 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter, good shooting in the conditions.
As the rain worsened the forwards found it increasingly difficult to make headway and both teams were now finding it hard to score. Only a single point was registered in the second quarter, a marvellous 50m free from Mark Cronin, as Gabriels hit six wides and Clann five.
It was 0-5 to 0-2 at the break as both sides retired to the shelter of the dressing rooms and the supporters huddled under trees and umbrellas. When they emerged, Clann had introduced Jerry Cahalane to centre back, where he played very well, with the subdued MÃcheál âHaulie OâDriscoll moving to midfield instead of Danny Holland who had been well bested by John Ward in the first half. The changes seemed to work as it was Clann who got off to the better restart and Adrian OâDriscoll kicked a fine point.
However, the Gabrielsâ defence, well-marshalled by Kieran and Gary OâCallaghan, Tony Sheehan and Liam Hegarty wasnât budging an inch and it was the winners who struck for the next two scores when Cronin pointed a free and Eddie Goggin, highly impressive all through, pointed from play. It was beginning to look ominous for the Scorchers at this stage despite some spirited play from Haulie OâDriscoll, Derek Crowley, Brendan OâConnell and Ger OâDonovan. A point from OâDonovan gave them renewed hope but they were dealt a lethal blow in the 44th minute when Gabriels, four points in front, struck for the crucial goal. Unfortunately, it came in devastating fashion for the losers as goalie Eoin Daly attempted to solo out from goal but was blocked down by the eager Stephen OâMahony. In a flash Mark Cronin was onto the break and cool as ice lobbed the ball into the empty net from 30m.
Game set and almost match for the winners, even though there was still fifteen minutes remaining but a seven-point lead was intimidating indeed in the conditions. Clann were too game to give in and they set about reducing the lead in the last quarter with William OâMahony, Adrian OâDriscoll, and Pat Joe OâDonovan giving their all in attack. One wondered why they moved OâDonovan so far from goal in the closing stages as he had been their top goal-scorer all season. OâDonovan pointed a free and OâMahony did likewise to close the gap to five but their rising hopes were dealt another shattering blow in the 47th minute when Adrian OâDriscoll was dismissed for a second yellow card.
OâMahony kicked another free to cut the lead to four with five minutes remaining but Gabriels, with Pat Nolan using all his experience at midfield and Séamus Kelleher winning loads of possession on the wing, were not going to be denied this time. Three times they had tasted the bitter pill of defeat in finals but there was no panic this time as the memories of 1979, 1983 and 2005 were truly banished in those closing minutes.
Mark Cronin eased any worries the supporters might have been feeling when he pointed a free in the 59th minute and even though Jamie Walsh grabbed the last score of the game for the Scorchers, the stonewall Gabrielsâ defence was never going to concede a goal and on a final score of 1-9 to 0-8, the first junior A title was finally in the bag. A long time coming had come at last.
The scenes of delight in the pouring rain had to be seen to be believed after the final whistle and it was all of fifteen minutes before enough order could be restored to present the trophy. It was hard to ascertain whether it was raindrops or tears of joy on many faces as captain Kieran OâCallaghan accepted the Mick McCarthy Cup from Declan Walsh, chairman of the SW Junior Board.
The Man-of-the-Match award, sponsored by OâNeill Brothers Sports, was presented to Mark Cronin by Con OâNeill.
Referee, Donal Shorten, St. Maryâs.
Despite the atrocious weather conditions the OâDonovan Rossa Club had everything in perfect order and made life as bearable as possible for the large attendance.
Verdict â Itâs hard to beat hunger and from the first whistle it was apparent that Gabriels were really psyched up for this encounter and were absolutely determined to win their first junior A title. Fore and aft they won the hard ball and their blend of young and old worked perfectly on the day. A solid defence, a hard-working midfield and a very lively attack made them deserving winners of the Mick McCarthy Cup.
Scorers; Gabriel Rangers â Mark Cronin 1-4, 0-3 frees, Eddie Goggin 0-2, Ger Hurley, Ger OâCallaghan and Stephen OâMahony 0-1 each.
Gabriel Rangers â Darren OâMahony, Kieran OâCallaghan (captain), Tony Sheehan, Gary OâCallaghan, Aidan OâMahony, Liam Hegarty, John OâCallaghan, John Ward, Pat Nolan, Sheamus Kelleher, Ger Hurley, Ger OâCallaghan, Mark Cronin, Stephen OâMahony, Eddie Goggin. Subs, Don Ward, Eoin Kelleher.
Clann na nGael â Eoin Daly, Finbarr OâConnell, Tomás Connolly, J J Collins, Derek Crowley, MÃcheál OâDriscoll, Brendan OâConnell, Danny Holland, Ger OâDonovan, William OâMahony, Jamie Walsh, Adrian OâDriscoll, Paul OâRourke, Pat Joe OâDonovan, Vincent Collins. Subs, Jerry Cahalane, Shane Connolly, Danny Cahalane, Karl OâShea.
âCois Farraigeâ
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