Cappincur withstand fierce Ballycumber pressure to book final slot
Offaly Division 2 Football League semi-final
AFTER a questionable group format, the Offaly Division 2 Football League finally entered the business end of affairs on Saturday evening with Cappincur holding off some fierce Ballycumber pressure to book their final slot in Mucklagh.
Offaly Division 2 Football League semi-final
Cappincur 2-11
Ballycumber 1-11
It was not before time that a game with stakes was played in this league as the previous games were without consequences. With just five teams in the league, it was decided to let all five qualify with the top three into semi-finals and the bottom two, Ballinagar and Tubber in what has been deemed a preliminary semi-final, rather than a quarter-final.
The logic was to guarantee all teams five games but it meant that there was nothing play for and this can be seen by the fact that Ballinagar and Tubber opted to skip their final group game and only meet once in the so called preliminary semi-final. Games are games, however, and both Cappincur and Ballycumber had treated the league seriously.
It was a particularly good league for Ballycumber who had to survive a championship relegation play off with Gracefield last season but turned an important corner here, winning three games and losing one, to finish runners up.
With the Clara duo of Joey Deehan and Thomas Deehan running the show from the sideline, Ballycumber will be disappointed at a missed opportunity here as they had ample possession and chances to have won. Their management will be pleased with the fighting spirit and heart they showed in the second half, much less enthused at their finishing as Cappincur sort of fell into the final, without being at their best.
It was a workmanlike display by a physical Cappincur side, who struggled to play much incisive football in the second half but still managed to conjure up important scores when needed to hold Ballycumber at bay.
It was a tough, dogged encounter with neither side standing on ceremony, both hitting hard. Without being a particularly good game, it made for compelling viewing and the issue hung in the balance almost to the final whistle.
After an uncompromising opening, Ballycumber played their best football coming up to the quarter way mark as they opened a 0-5 to 0-2 gap, Keith Lawlor contributing a good two pointer. Cappincur's only score at that stage was a two pointer from Bill Carroll, who wasn't at his very best but still did a lot of good work over the sixty minutes plus.
Ballycumber were clearly the better side at this stage but they didn't score again from the 13th minute until 12 minutes into the second half and that was a cardinal sin. Cappincur struck for a decisive, match winning 1-6 without reply in the second quarter, Sean Courtney tapping home their goal in the 27th minute and Ciaran Farrell getting a great two pointer for a 1-8 to 0-5 interval lead.
The lead went out to 2-8 to 0-5 when Peter Norris flicked to the net just 12 seconds after the restart and Cappincur looked set to coast home. Instead, they became increasingly mediocre as the half wore on and Ballycumber's dominance increased by the minute.
They gradually crept back into contention but left way too many scores behind them. David Graham saved well from Jamie Cornally and Colm Daly, and they were both good chances that Ballycumber needed to convert. Conor Daly and Joe Lowry got points but Cappincur's ability to respond with a score when needed was instrumental to their win.
The excellent Adam Galvin got the next point but Ballycumber got two more from Keith Lawlor and Lowry (the first pointed free of the game) to make it 2-9 to 0-9 with thirteen minutes left. Cappincur defended tenaciously but lived on their wits and were fortunate that Ballycumber's radar was off.
They had plenty of two point opportunities in the second half but Joe Lowry (twice), Gary Larkin and Colm Egan were all off target. Bill Carroll curled over a crucial point for Cappincur in the 18th minute and Ballycumber spurned another goal chance in the 49th minute when Cormac Quinn blazed over from a few metres out.
A goal had been coming and it eventually arrived courtesy of sub Colin Daly in the 54th minute to bring the gap down to 2-10 to 1-10. Lowry was wide with a two point free that Ballycumber desperately needed and Cappincur found a way to hold on late on. They won some important ball in their own defence and a lovely Brian Norris point gave them a lead of four with three minutes, including two of injury time to go.
Lowry popped over a 60th minute free after a foot block but Ballycumber had ran their race and Cappincur go on to meet Ballinagar or Daingean in the final.
MATCH ANALYSIS
MAN OF THE MATCH
Adam Galvin (Cappincur): Adam Galvin put in a terrific shift for Cappincur and his physical presence was a stand out feature. Moving out from centre back to contest balls in midfield, he won a lot of very hard earned possession. His fielding was excellent and he moved well. He used his physicality in a very positive way and also got forward for two crucial points.
David Graham was very good in goals for Cappincur while Conor Daly, Cormac Quinn and Colm Egan were among Ballycumber's best players.
THE SCORERS
Cappincur: Peter Norris and Sean Courtney 1-1 each, Bill Carroll 0-3 (1 x 2p), Adam Galvin, Brian Norris and Ciaran Farrell (1 x 2p) 0-2 each.
Ballycumber: Keith Lawlor (1 x 2p), Joe Lowry (2f) and Cormac Quinn 0-3 each, Conor Daly 0-2.
THE TEAMS
CAPPINCUR: David Graham; Ollie Hayes, Darragh Norris, Thomas Leavy; Hubert Healion, Adam Galvin, Igor Daly; Eoin Carroll, Jason Gethings; Brian Norris, Sean Graham, Ciaran Farrell; Sean Courtney, Bill Carroll, Peter Norris. Subs – Sean Flynn for Hayes, inj. (4m), Michael Fitzgerald for Leavy, inj. (50m), Niall Minnock for Flynn (57m).
BALLYCUMBER: Oisin Carroll; Aaron Daly, John Egan, Adam Daly; Harry Champ, Clive Keena, Conor Daly; Ethan Keena, Gary Larkin; Cormac Quinn, Colm Egan, Keith Lawlor; Joe Lowry, Jamie Cornally, Sean Creevy. Subs – Colin Daly for Cornally (50m).
Referee – Kevin Williamson, Tullamore.
REFEREE WATCH
As you would expect, Kevin Williamson had no bother handling this one and was fair and impartial. It's not easy to referee or be linesman with the new rules. There was a lot of shouting going on about three man breaches and other things with the Ballycumber mentors particularly vocal, and officials would need eyes in the back of their head to spot everything.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
The game was won with the 1-6 Cappincur got without reply in the second quarter and Sean Courtney's 27th minute goal was the icing on the cake.
VENUE WATCH
With work having commenced on an all-weather pitch in Mucklagh, Shamrocks GAA secured additional local parking in the school to handle the crowd. They had plenty of workers and managed the fixture well.
WHAT'S NEXT
Cappincur go into the final against Ballinagar or Daingean.
STATISTICS
Wides: Cappincur – 6 (3 in first half); Ballycumber – 11 (5 in first half).
Yellow cards: Cappincur – 2 (Sean Flynn and Jason Gethings); Ballycumber – 0.
Black cards: 0
Red cards: 0