ILEN ROVERS 2-12

MITCHELSTOWN 1-10

JOHN MURPHY REPORTS

ILEN Rovers' football juggernaut rolled relentlessly onward at balmy Newcestown last Saturday, leaving a formidable Mitchelstown side trailing in its wake, substitute Shane Carey the hero as his 57th minute blockbuster making it a bridge too far for the North Cork side.

This enthralling McCarthy Insurance Intermediate A Football Championship quarter-final was a thriller from start to finish. 

Indeed, Mitchelstown came close to finding the net in the dying embers, a point-blank save by Damien O’Sullivan denying Cork footballer Cathail O’Mahony of a certain goal.

But it would have been a travesty of justice had Mitchelstown prevailed as Rovers were the more co-ordinated, cohesive side.

Ilen Rovers manager Flor O’Driscoll, while satisfied with the performance, knows there is room for improvement. ‘It was not the perfect performance. We were able to ride out their early storm and keep the faith, even under sustained second-half pressure. It was very encouraging to see,' he said.

'We are taking this championship one game at a time. We now face a real tough tussle against Adrigole in the semi-final. We will approach it in the same manner as today’s game – that is, to win and go another step towards a county title, and go back up a grade. That is our current ambition.'

The game started at a whirlwind pace, Patrick Magee splitting the posts in the opening minute. Four minutes later a glorious opportunity to make a major impact came Ilen’s way as Dan MacEoin took a tumble and won a penalty. 

Dusting himself down, the sharpshooter’s drive looked destined for the Mitchelstown rigging only for Luke Hannah to spectacularly fingertip it to safety. Relieved at the reprieve, Mitchelstown added points by James Sheehan and Cork star Cathail O’Mahony (free) as they hit the front again.

After Micheál Sheehy found the range, the industry of Ilen Rovers came to the fore. An Adrian O’Driscoll free and a Dan MacEoin rocket that whistled over the bar were signs of productivity.

Mark Keane was introduced and a new momentum was visible in Mitchelstown, and Cathail O’Mahony pointed a 45'.

However, just when Mitchelstown thought they had gained a foothold, Rovers delivered a sledgehammer blow. Fittingly, Adrian O’Driscoll, Joseph Hickey and Barry Collins were all involved, three of Rovers stars, with Collins going highest in a crowded goalmouth to usher the ball home. Connolly scored two real beauties as the scoreboard at the short whistle read 1-7 to 0-4.

Scarcely had the second half commenced when Micheál Sheehy rattled the Mitchelstown crossbar. Not to be outdone at the other end, the impressive Mark Keane thundered a drive that was taken off the line.

James Sheehan (free) and Seán Walsh, with a delightful effort, signalled the losers' steady progress, while MacEoin and Mitchelstown substitute Cathal Walsh swapped scores. Keane (free) and Killian Roche both scored before the real breakthrough arrived as the former flicked home the ball to the Rovers rigging, leaving it 1-9 apiece now and all to play for.

But the steely determination of this new-look Rovers outfit manifested itself in the dramatic concluding minutes as Shane Carey crashed the ball to the net in the 57th minute, sending the large Ilen following into raptures of delight. Who else but Connolly to ice the cake, augmented by a smashing score from Alan Holland, O’Mahony’s 65th minute free a gesture of determination and grit, but Rovers were now home and hosed.

Scorers

Ilen Rovers: Barry Collins, Shane Carey 1-0 each, Seán Connolly, Micheál Sheehy 0-3 (1 2pt) each, Dan MacEoin, Adrian O’Driscoll (1 2pt) 0-2 each, Denis O’Driscoll, Alan Holland 0-1 each.

Mitchelstown: Mark Keane 1-1 (1f), Cathail O’Mahony 0-3 (1f), James Sheehan 0-2, Killian Roche, Seán Walsh, Patrick Magee, Cathal Walsh 0-1 each.

Ilen Rovers: Damien O’Sullivan; Daniel Coakley, Jack Collins, Ciarán O’Dwyer; Aaron O’Sullivan, Joseph Hickey, Denis O’Driscoll; Dermot Hegarty, Peadar O’Driscoll; Barry Collins, Seán Connolly, Adrian O’Driscoll; Dan MacEoin, Micheál Sheehy, Seán Minihane.

Subs: Alan Holland for Dan MacEoin (41), Shane Carey for Denis O’Driscoll (52), Emmet Hourihane for Seán Connolly (60).

Mitchelstown: Luke Hannah; Luke Keane, Fionn Herlihy, Lorcan Finn; Darragh Flynn, Killian Roche, Cormac Keane/Hyland; Seán Walsh, Shane Beston; Patrick Magee, Cathail O’Mahony, Seán O’Sullivan; Michael Walsh, James Sheehan, Jason Cott.

Subs: Mark Keane for Michael Walsh (13), Cathal Walsh for Seán O’Sullivan (32), Joe O’Sullivan for Jason Cott (34), Cian English for James Sheehan (55)

Referee: Cormac Dineen.