O’Donovan Rossa 3-16 

Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh 1-21

TOM LYONS REPORTS

O’DONOVAN Rossa picked up two valuable points in Division 2 of the county football league on Saturday.

In a close contest, the Skibbereen team’s bench made the difference, with subs Dylan Hourihane Snr (2) and David Shannon kicking three two-pointers in the second half, as the home side got the better of Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh.

Credit, too, to Leaving Cert student Luke O’Sullivan, who contributed two goals to his side’s total. 

This was a welcome win for the Skibb men, only their second in five league games.

‘We’ve been plagued with injuries, seven players missing from today’s game,’ said a relieved Rossa manager Liam Hurley.

‘We’ve had that all year. Kevin Davis hasn’t played any game for us yet this year. Thomas Hegarty is still making his way back. We had a few lads who are doing their Leaving Cert, they got a good test in that game. They took some excellent scores. Young Luke O’Sullivan, who got two goals, was one of them. 

Then we brought in some experienced lads in the second half and they did the job with some great two-pointers. They really settled things down when we needed it.’

O'Donovan Rossa's James Goulding is challenged by Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh's Seán Ó Muimhneacháin. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

With the strong breeze, it was Béal Átha who got off to a great start with a point from Seán Ó Luasa and the first two-pointer from Conchúr Ó Loingsigh. When those two players combined for Ó Luasa to finish to the net in the sixth minute, they were six points clear. 

A point from Isaac Harte finally got Rossas off the mark and signalled a period of dominance during which the lively Elliot Connolly and Brian Crowley kicked points and Luke O’Sullivan blasted a goal in the 11th minute to level the scores. 

Béal Átha responded with points from Ben Seartain and Cian Ó Duinín to lead by two, 1-5 to 1-3, at the end of the lively first quarter. 

The second quarter started with a bang when Rossas wing back James Goulding, set up by the hard-working Luke O’Sullivan, raced through for a smashing goal. Goalkeeper Ryan Price came out to kick a two-point free into the wind and Rossas were three in front. Donagh Seartain and Luke O’Sullivan swapped points before Béal Átha hit three in a row from Seán Ó Luasa, Conchúr Ó Loingsigh and Ó Luasa again. 

Niall Daly pointed but Cian Ó Duinín replied with a superb two-pointer from play. Béal Átha in front by 1-11 to 2-7 but Rossas in the driving seat.

Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh's Daire O'Briain is challenged by O'Donovan Rossa's Luke O'Sullivan. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Four points in a row from Conchúr Ó Loingsigh, Ben Seartain, Darren Ó Coill (free) and Seán Ó Luasa had Béal Átha five in front by the 40th minute. It was looking gloomy for Rossas. Enter super-sub Dylan Hourihane Snr with his first two-pointer. Points from Luca Harte and Cork U20 Frank Hurley had the lead down to a single point before Luke O’Sullivan pounced for his second goal. 

Béal Átha responded with three points in a row to go back in front. The drama continued when sub David Shannon kicked a two-pointer for Rossas. When Dylan Hourihane Snr kicked his second two-pointer, Rossas were three to the good with seven minutes left. 

Béal Átha goalkeeper Darren Ó Coill almost salvaged a draw for his side when he converted a 45 and kicked a two-point free in the 60th minute to level the scores. 

O'Donovan Rossa's Ciaran Coombes gets to grips with Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh's Cian Ó Duinnin during the McCarthy Insurance FL Division 2 in Skibbereen on Saturday. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Injury time brought more drama when Rossas were awarded a free, 35 metres in front of goal. Niall Daly’s kick fell short under the crossbar and was batted out by the defence. Elliot Connolly became the Rossa hero when he snatched the breaking ball and sent over a winning point. 

Rossas were awarded a penalty two minutes later for a foul on Dylan Hourihane Snr, after Béal Átha had fluffed a chance of an equaliser. But it mattered little when David Shannon’s spot kick was well saved by goalkeeper Ó Coill.

OUR STAR: Young Luke O’Sullivan won this game for O’Donovan Rossa with two goals, one in each half. 

Scorers -  O’Donovan Rossa: Luke O’Sullivan 2-1; Dylan Hourihane Snr 0-4 (2 2pt); James Goulding 1-0; Elliot Connolly, Roy Price (2ptf), David Shannon (1 2pt) 0-2 each; Frank Hurley, Luca Harte, Brian Crowley, Isaac Harte, Niall Daly 0-1 each. Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh: Seán Ó Luasa 1-4; Conchúr Ó Loingsigh 0-7 (2 2pt); Darren Ó Coill 0-4 (2ptf, 1f, 45); Ben Seartain 0-3 (1f); Seán Ó Muineacháin, Cian Ó Duinín, Donagh Seartain 0-1 each. 

O’Donovan Rossa: Ryan Price; Adam O’Regan, Darren Daly, Dylan Hourihane Jnr; Alan Daly, Frank Hurley, James Goulding; Luca Harte, Ciarán Coombes; Brian Crowley, Isaac Harte, Fionn Coombes; Luke O’Sullivan, Elliot Connolly, Niall Daly. Subs: Dylan Hourihane Snr for A O’Regan (ht), Seán Fitzgerald for D Hourihane Jnr (38), David Shannon for I Harte (44). 

Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh: Darren Ó Coill; Diarmuid Ó Laoire, Seán Ó Donnchú, Ciarán Ó Nuanáin; Darragh Ó Ceallacháin, Barra Ó hOrgáin, Gearóid Ó Loingsigh; Dara Ó Briain, Diarmuid Ó Ceallachái; Seán Ó Luasa, Conchúr Ó Loingsigh, Seán Ó Muineacháin; Ben Seartain, Cian Ó Duinín, Donagh Seartain. Subs: Éanna Ó Céilleachair for S Ó Donnchú (14), Aaron Ó Tuama for B Ó hOrgáin (28), Tadhg Ó Laoire for G Ó Loingsigh (42).

Referee: Andrew Whelton (Clonakilty).