Gabriel Rangers 2-13, Shamrocks 2-7
Shamrocks wonderful run in the JAFC came to an end at the final hurdle as Gabriel Rangers made sure that West Cork won every single club championship available in Cork this with a fully deserved 6 point win over a Shamrocks team that were out gunned and out played for the most part but never gave up and played right to the final whistle. In reality, Gabriel Rangers were in total control of this game and only for 2 late consolation goals by Shamrocks in injury time, would have won by far more.
The strong easterly wind played a significiant part in this game. Shamrocks played with it in the first half and opened the scoring after 3 minutes through Cannice Caffrey. However, every score up to half time was hard worked as the dangerous Gabriels forwards opened up the Shamrocks defence with some slick passing and movement. Gabriels were the better team throughout that half as they dominated possession and led 0-9 to 0-7 having played against the strong breeze. Six different Shamrocks players scored in that high class first half when the game was at its most competitive. Such was the strenght of the wind, Gabriels went in at HT in the much stronger position.
Shamrocks needed a good start to the second half but the exact opposite happened. An early point for them was followed by a disaster of a short kick out to the Gabriels corner forward who fed the onrushing full forward and he slotted neatly past Fergus O’Neill. Game over 5 minutes into the second half, 1-10 to 0-7. Gabriels started played with style now and opened up more daylight with another 1-2 with 15 minutes left, 2-13 to 0-7. The scored 2-4 in 13 second half minutes just after the break to effectively end the tie as a contest.
Shamrocks were playing for pride at this stage and were in danger of not scoring in the second half. After both teams made 5 substitutions each, the last 15 minutes of normal time were scoreless. Shamrocks never gave up and scored 2 goals in 1 minute in injury time to leave a somewhat respectable score on the board. Andrew O’Grady and Alan McCarthy scored the goals.
While defeat was the order of the day, the club and especially the players and management can be extremely proud of their run this year. Its been a superb achievement to even win the divisional championship. Roll on next year already and thanks to everyone involved in this proud run. Best of luck to Gabriels in the Munster Championship V Mullagh from Clare.
Team: F. O’Neill, M. Prout, S. Hurley, C. Kidney, M. Hitchmough, C. O’Neill, D. Hayes, B. Mulqueen, M. Jordan, J. Shanahan, A. McCarthy, D. Andrews, C. Caffrey, P. Brady, D. O’Sullivan. Subs used – J. Browne, J. Tuohy, S. O’Neill, B .Sweeney, S. Andrews. Unused – S. Kidney, S. Collins, D. O’Neill, J. Wilson, C. Corkery, R. Twomey, D. Scriven.
Shamrocks Co JAFC Final Panel, 23/10/16 – Back row, l to r: Chris O’Neill, Jack Wilson, Stephen Hurley, Jonathan Tuohy, Barry Mulqueen, Seanán Collins, Dave O’Neill, Mark Jordan, Cathal Kidney, Philip Brady, Alan McCarthy, Andrew O’Grady, Criostóir Corkery, Darragh Scriven, Cannice Caffrey. Front, l to r: Brian Sweeney, Fergus O’Neill, Joseph Shanahan, Seán Kidney, Jason Browne, Mark Hitchmough, Michael Prout, Stephen O’Neill, Roy Twomey, Senan Andrews, David Andrews, David Hayes, Darragh O’Sullivan.
