Classy Cullinane points Goleen to last four

Goleen 0-12     

Randal Óg 0-7

TOM LYONS REPORTS

GOLEEN’S powerful second-half performance blew Randal Óg away in this county junior B quarter-final replay in sunny Moneyvollahane.

The winners were lucky to be only two points in arrears at half time but took complete control of this game in the second half.

Next up is semi-final against Grange – but manager Gene O’Donovan is demanding more of his side.

‘We have no date for the semi-final but Grange will be good,’ said O’Donovan. 

‘All teams are good at this stage so there won’t be any easy game. Ballinacurra came down from ‘A’ this season and are posting big scores. 

‘We know we’ll have to up our game for the semi-final but these lads want to win, want to play good football and that will suit us.’

It was all Randals in the opening exchanges and they kicked the opening three points from Seadhna Crowley (2) and wing back Seamus Crowley. 

Goleen managed only a single pointed free from their top forward, Tadhg Cullinane, in the opening quarter.

A point from the hard-working Sam Kingston restored Randals’ lead of three points entering the second quarter as Goleen were guilty of some poor wides at the other end.

 Randals stretched their lead to four points when wing back Ian Crowley pointed, following which Tadhg Cullinane (free) and Seadhna Crowley swapped points.

Goleen raised their game just before the break to register two vital points through hard-working midfielder Darren O’Donovan, and the lively winger Sam Coughlan.

Despite all their fine play in the first half, Randals found themselves only two points in front at the break, 0-6 to 0-4.

A Tadhg Cullinane free cut the lead to a point on the restart but back came Randals with a Seadhna Crowley free in reply. Amazingly, that was to be their sole score of the half as Goleen upped the pace and intensity, with Darren O’Donovan dominating midfield and Tadhg Cullinane opening his shoulders in attack. 

Points from Shane O’Leary and Cullinane (free) had the sides level, 0-7 each, at the end of the third quarter.

It was all Goleen in the last quarter as Patrick Scully put them in front for the first time and Cullinane had two great scores from play.

A David O’Leary point provided the insurance score for the Mizen men before impressive sub Jason Whitley deservedly kicked the last score in injury time.

Scorers

Goleen: Tadhg Cullinane 0-6 (3f), Darren O’Donovan, David O’Leary, Shane O’Leary, Patrick Scully, Sam Coughlan, Jason Whitley 0-1 each. 

Randal Óg: Seadhna Crowley 0-4 (2f), Seamus Crowley, Ian Crowley, Sam Kingston 0-1 each.

Goleen: Ronan Kennedy; Jed Little, Daniel O’Callaghan, James Scully; Andrew Murphy, Daniel O’Driscoll, Padraig Reidy; David O’Leary, Darren O’Donovan; Sam Coughlan, Tadhg Cullinane, Shane O’Leary; Danny Cullinane, Patrick Scully, Sean Sheehan. 

Subs: Kieran O’Driscoll for J Little (ht), Jason Whitley for D Cullinane (ht).

Randal Óg: Denis Lynch; JJ Hurley, Aidan O’Brien, Barry Lynch; Seamus Crowley, Shane Patterson, Ian Crowley; Jer Lynch, Brian Dullea; Pat Lynch, Sam Kingston, Stephen Crowley; Barry O’Driscoll, Seadhna Crowley, Eoin O’Sullivan. Subs: Donncha Collins for S Crowley (45), Conor O’Donovan for S Kingston (47), Cian O’Neill for E O’Sullivan (55).

Referee: Stephen Murphy (Bandon).