Goals Prove decisive as Cobh shatter Carraig’s Title Dreams
Cobh 3-08 Carraig na bhFear 0-10
At a warm and sunny Carraigtwohill pitch, last Saturday, the Carraig na bhFear U21 footballers were denied another East Cork title by a more balanced and more incisive Cobh
team. This was a game that Carraig might have a few regrets about, possibly due to missed opportunities at the start of both halves. Goal chances were missed at these times and the
course of the game may have been altered. But, Cobh did take their chances and must be commended on a having their homework done in snuffing out Carraig’s prime forwards, namely O Crowley and P Sheehan.
Carraig had a great goal chance within 40 seconds of the commencement of the game, P Sheehan hitting the butt of the post after being put through by Crowley. It would have been
the tonic start, but instead Cobh gained a foothold in midfield and scored two quickfire points in the first five minutes. Carraig replied with their first score, Crowely stroking over a
classy free from distance. Cobh added another point from play, but then Carraig had a good period of dominance. S Farrell worked hard on the wing, B Murphy and J Aherne started to dominate in midfield and O Crowley was starting the pull the strings on the “forty”. Carraig scored the next 3 points, a fine effort from play from Murphy, O Crowley from a free after he was fouled himself and then Crowley again with a determind effort from play. Carraig were a point up 0-4 to 0-3 after 20 mins. But Cobh struck back with an incisive run from their number 14 who was hauled down by M Aherne, who was brandished a yellow card.
The penalty was dispatched to the corner in spite of the best efforts of Conor Hayes. Carraig were not despondent after this setback and garnered two more points, a point from a free and from play by Crowley. It looked like we would retreat at half time all level, but with the last attack of the half, Cobh attacked with intent and with a one on one situation created, they scored another goal after a good initial save from Hayes. Half time score : Carraig 0-07 Cobh2-04
Carraig started brightly in the second half and continued to dominate around the middle of the field. Crowley added another free, his seventh point of the game but unfortunately missed another one from a difficult angle 7 minutes into the second half. Carraig struggled to penetrate the Cobh full back line during this period of dominance and they were left to rue this missed opportunity. Cobh’s half back line started to create overlaps and it was with one of these overlaps that they scored their third goal after another great save from Hayes. This concession of a goal followed by three quick fire points opened up a seven point gap. Try as they might, Carraig could never get any closer than 6 points, with further scores from Crowley, in the 20 th and 24 th minutes. It was goals Carraig needed, but they found it hard to create same and as the clock ticked past the 60 minutes, Cobh were in the ascendency and finished the game with a fine point from distance.
Team: C Hayes,
D Mullins, G Geaney, T Coleman,
T Hegarty, M Aherne, D McSweeney,
B Murphy, J Aherne,
F Mulcahy, O Crowley, S Farrell,
P O’Brien, P Sheehan, C O’Brien.
Subs: A Cronin for C O’Brien.
Even though everyone involved was disappointed at the result, one could not but feel proud of the effort of the team, many who are only just out of minor and learning their trade in
the adult grades. This team works from a tight playing number but there has been a hugely honest and disciplined effort from them all to try and win a trophy for the club. Well done to
the management team also who guided this group for the last 3 months and are doing great work preparing these young men for bigger days in the future. Beidh la eile ag an bPaorach.