Second-half recovery steers fantastic Fenor to county glory
Fenor's players and supporters celebrate their win over Ballyduff Upper in their J.J Kavanagh & Sons County Junior A football final
One year on from losing out to Affane in extra time by a single point in the county final Fenor made amends in Walsh Park on Saturday last as they hit back from a three-point half-time deficit to claim victory over a Ballyduff Upper side that failed to stay the course in the second half.
This was a spirited performance by a Fenor side that refused to be beaten but Ballyduff Upper can , to some extent, consider themselves architects of their own demise through a second half performance that saw hard won possession turned over repeatedly due to overplaying the ball and a reluctance to shoot for points from scoring positions. Just one second half point was a meagre return on the scoreboard for a side that had shot seven first half minors but in the end it was a case of Fenor wanting the title that bit more and refusing to accept anything less than outright victory.
The opening five minutes of the game saw the Fenor defence under strong pressure as Ballyduff surged forward with Sean Hickey’s pace and Mikey Kearney’s guile causing concerns but, for all of their efforts, Ballyduff had shot five wides with no score to show for their early supremacy. In almost their first attack Richard Lynch shot Fenor into the lead with a point following a foul on Mikey Nichols in the 6th minute and a minute later they went two points clear with John Flynn breaking forward to send Sean Mackey in for his first point.
Tireoghan Flynn had Ballyduff’s opening point in the 11th minute and Sean Hickey was again wide from a close in free before James Hayden edged Fenor two points clear in the 16th minute. Sean Hickey was now coming strongly into the game as he careered though the centre of the Fenor defence for a point in the 17th minute and it took a brilliant save by Michael Mooney in the Fenor goal to deny Seamus Hannon at the expense of a fruitless ‘45’. At this point Ballyduff were looking the more likely side as Hickey again raced through the centre of the Fenor defence to send over a point with the chance of a goal on in the 19th minute. Fenor regained the lead with a James Hayden point from a free but two points in quick succession from Seamus Hannon had Ballyduff back in front before Mooney again proved his side’s saviour as he dived to turn a snap shot from Sheehan out for a ‘45’. The Western champions continued to finish the half strongly as Sean Hickey gained possession in midfield and left defenders in his wake as he soloed through to fist over from close range before Mikey Kearney had the final point of the half in the 31st minute to give his side a deserved 0-7 to 0-4 halftime lead.
Within 15 second of the restart Fenor had pulled a point back with Mikey Nicholls setting up Richard Lynch. Early Fenor attacks came to nought however, with Lynch shooting wide from close range following a foul on Darragh Murphy before Mikey Kearney restored his side’s three point lead in the 36th minute. Amazingly Ballyduff were not to score again for the remainder of the game.
Fenor hit back immediately with a Hayden point following a foul on Iarla Hennessy and a great chance of taking the lead was missed when Eoin Nolan found himself with a clear run at goal only to be denied by Shane Casey at the expense of a ‘45’ as Fenor sent Daithi Purcell into the attack in place of Hennessy. A point from Mikey Nicholls left Ballyduff holding on to a one point lead with the game going into the last quarter and in the 46th minute the hard working Sean Mackey levelled the tie. Ballyduff were still winning good possession but lacking the confidence to shoot for scores as close in frees were taken short and coming to nothing.
In the 54th minute Fenor finally took the lead with sub Daithi Purcell sending over a fine point but a minute later Sean Hickey broke through the Fenor defence to send sub Kieran Hayes through on goal but again Mooney was equal to the task as he again saved the day. Mikey Kearney had a free from a scoring position for Ballyduff but, not for the first time, declined the shot in favour of a short pass that came to nothing. The closing minutes saw Ballyduff pressing but the Fenor defence was unyielding with successive frees against Ballyduff forwards for over carrying bringing relieving clearances as Fenor held on claim the title.
For Fenor Michael Mooney’s three save in goal were crucial and he was awarded the J. J. Kavanagh man of the match award. Others to stand out for the winners were Shane Mackey, John Flynn, Ollie Buck, Mikey Nicholls and Darragh Murphy. For Ballyduff Upper, Sean Hickey was always dangerous in possession backed up by Shane Casey in goal, Oran Leamy, Kevin Casey, Mikey Kearney and Seamus Hannon.
That this victory meant so much to Fenor was clear from the manner in which the win was celebrated by players and supporters on field as the cup was presented to captain John Flynn. Fenor now go on to face the Kerry champions at home on November 9th next.
James Hayden 0-3 (2Fs), Richard Lynch (1F) and Sean Mackey 0-2 each, Mikey Nicholls and Daithi Purcell 0-1 each.
Sean Hickey 0-3, Mikey Kearney and Seamus Hannon 0-2 each, Tireoghan Flynn 0-1
Michael Mooney, Eric Lonergan, Jim Halley, Richie Cullinane, Fintan Walsh, John Flynn, Ollie Buck, Eoin Nolan, Eoin O’Connor, Mikey Nicholls, Sean Mackey, Richard Lynch, James Hayden, Darragh Murphy, Iarla Hennessy.
Daithi Purcell for Nolan (40), Paul Condon for Hennessy (58).
Shane Casey, James Hannon, Shane Kearney, Tomas Ahern, Quentin Joyce, Oran Leamy, Kevin Casey, Aodhan Hickey, Michael Kearney, Tireoghan Flynn, Mikey Kearney, Sean Hickey, Seamus Hannon, Cathal Murphy, Conor Sheehan.
Jamie Kearney for Sheehan (43), Kieran Hayes for Murphy (55).
Gavin Whelan (Colligan).
