Shamrocks 1-11, Kinsale 1-6.
Shamrocks, as expected, are through to the quarter finals of the football championship after yet another mixed performance in Riverstick on Saturday evening last. The game followed the predictable pattern of recent Shamrocks performances – mixing the good with the bad, not knowing what was going to happen next. But when it mattered most, when things weren’t going their way at halftime, Shamrocks dominated the last half an hour to book their place in the quarters.
Both teams found it hard to settle and the first half was low scoring. Shamrocks old failings of continued unforced turnovers surfaced again, and they gave Kinsale ample opportunities to set up attacks. Cannice Caffrey opened the scoring and Seanán Collins knocked over a free but then Kinsale punished some slack defending to bury the ball in the back of Fergus O’Neills goal. Amazingly Kinsale were ahead and Shamrocks looked rattled. The halftime whistle couldnt come quick enough as Kinsale led 1-4 to 0-5, Darragh O’Sullivan and Caffrey adding to the Shamrocks total.
Again, some strong words were exchanged at halftime and along with a few positional switches, Shamrocks re entered the field knowing that unless they put in 30 minutes of good football, the championship season for 2011 would be over already. They got the perfect start when from the very first attack, Seanán Collins slotted home a Shamrocks goal and this was the fillip the greens needed. Kinsale responded with 2 quick points from their centre forward to lead 1-6 to 1-5. But, as it turned out, theses were their last scores of the game. Starting with the backs, who tightened up considerably and the midfield who won lots more possession, they turned the screw, without running away with the game. Brian Sweeney’s point seemed to give Shamrocks the extra push and further points from Caffrey, Gary Ronayne and Collins again from a long range free and another from play finished out the scoring.
As said above, Shamrocks now go into the draw for the Quarters which I believe is an open draw, and the games are down for the weekend of July 2nd. In the meantime, attention switches to hurling. Team: F. O’ Neill, S. Andrews, C. Brady, K. Hegarty, M. Prout, C. Kidney, G. Ronayne, A. McCarthy, B. Mulqueen, S. McGarry, J. Shanahan, B. Sweeney, S. Collins, D. O’ Sullivan, C. Caffrey. Subs used – C. Ronayne, S. Keane. It was great to see 27 players togged out on the night.
Also, the club wishes Colin Brady a speedy recovery from injury he suffered during the game. We all hope he makes a quick and full recovery.
