Massive boost for Randals

Randal Óg 1-16

Kilbrittain 2-10

JOHN MURPHY REPORTS

RANDAL Óg got their hands on the RCM Tarmacadam South West JBHC title – a crown they last wore in 2014 – following a most exciting joust with Kilbrittain’s third string at Ahiohill. 

The winners conceded two early goals in the first half but battled back while Kilbrittain had to play the last 24 minutes with 14 men after midfielder Cal McCarthy was shown a red card early in the second half.

‘We needed this win badly. We have taken knocks in the past, been badly beaten in games, but in fairness to the lads they never threw in the towel,’ Randals manager Ger Collins said.

‘We have great young lads coming through. I am very positive for the future of the Randals club.’ 

Kilbrittain were on top early on and both Ciarán Byrne and Gary Hayes raised green flags inside a minute. 

Supplemented by white flags from James Deasy and Byrne (frees) and a peach of a point by Oisín Dewey, Kilbrittain had taken a commanding grip, 2-3 to 0-1, Randals full forward Patrick Crowley replying.

Sensing the match was slipping away Randals moved up the gears, the Crowley brothers Seadhna and Patrick, long-serving John Collins, Eoin O’Sullivan and defenders Conor O’Donovan, Ger Lynch, captain Kieran O’Brien and outstanding full back Brian Dullea leading the comeback charge. 

A flurry of points from the accurate Seadhna Crowley, Colm McSweeney, Eoin O’Sullivan and John Collins followed as Randals revival gained momentum culminating in the status quo interval scoreline, 2-5 to 0-11.

On resuming, scores by Maurice Fielding and John Dollard had the Kilbrittain following in good voice, but the cheers were muted as Patrick Crowley, gaining possession 20 metres out, squeezed his shot past the reliable Brian Hickey in the 33rd minute for a crucial goal. Randals had hit the front for the very first time, 1-11 to 2-7, and their quest for glory took on another dimension when Kilbrittain were down a player three minutes later.

The Seasiders refused to capitulate and traded points until a late brace from Eoin O’Sullivan and Conor O’Donovan saw Randals over the line. 

Scorers

Randal Óg: Seadhna Crowley 0-8 (4f, 1 65), Patrick Crowley 1-1, John Collins 0-3, Eoin O’Sullivan 0-2, Conor O’Donovan, Colm McSweeney 0-1 each.

Kilbrittain: Ciarán Byrne 1-1(1f), James Deasy 0-3f, Gary Hayes 1-0, John Dollard 0-2, Maurice Fielding, Sam Shorten, Oisín Dewey, Alex O’Brien (f) 0-1 each. 

Randal Óg: Patrick Lynch; Damien McCarthy, Brian Dullea, Kieran O’Brien; Conor O’Donovan, Ger Lynch, Barry Lynch; Shane Patterson, Eoin O’Sullivan; Seadhna Crowley, Sam Kingston, John Collins; Padraig Galvin, Patrick Crowley, Colm McSweeney. 

Sub: Kevin Dullea for Padraig Galvin.

Kilbrittain: Brian Hickey; James Hurley, David O’Sullivan, Sean McCarthy; Michael Crowley, James Deasy, Jerry Coughlan; Cal McCarthy, John Dollard; Sam Shorten, Oisín Dewey, Maurice Fielding; Ciarán Byrne, Declan O’Donovan, Gary Hayes.

Subs: Alex O’Brien for Byrne (35), David McSweeney for Dewey (42), David O’Neill for Shorten (50), Declan Moloney for Coughlan (57), Donal McCormack for O’Sullivan (59). 

Referee: Donal Shorten (St Mary’s).