Rossa Edge Monaghan Champs In Paul Mc Girr

Tuesday 22.10.2019

Club

Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament

O’Donovan Rossa 3-09 v Carrickmacross Emmett’s 2-11

Antrim champions O’Donovan Rossa edged a scintillating affair by the minimum margin in the second quarter final of the Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament but they were made fight all the way by a gallant Carrickmacross team that battled right until the final whistle.

Rossa were well aware of the threat the Monaghan champions posed and set up with a defensive formation employing both Diarmaid Rogan and Patrick Moyes in sweeping roles. Their counter attacking game paid dividends as they broke with pace to record a hard earned victory.

It was the Carrickmacross boys who shaded a tense first half. Starting impressively centre forward Stephen O’Rourke followed up an early point by setting up Jack Carolan for a palmed effort to claim the first goal of the game.  Rossa who posed a serious goal threat throughout broke away to claim a goal of their own finished expertly soccer style by Michael McDaid.  A booming fifty yard effort from O’Rourke and two points each from Cian Conlon and Flynn Holland Boylan gave Carrickmacross a four point lead before they were once again caught by a Rossa sucker punch when Barra McCafferty superbly finished a sweeping move when put through by lone target man Liam Carr for their second goal. O’Rourke and McDaid swapped points to leave the half time score 1-07 to 2-02.

Rossa managers Deaglan White and Bill Kelly knew a strong second half showing was required and they certainly got the reaction they needed on the resumption.  With midfielders Murray and McAuley starting to take control the west Belfast lads blitzed the Carrickmacross defence from the start. Carr in a man of the match performance was causing untold trouble for the Monaghan men. An effort from McAuley, two converted frees from McCafferty and two Carr points, the second of which crashed off the crossbar, put Rossa in command.  Dualta Honney got a stunned Carrickmacross’s first point of the second half but they were once again rocked when Carr finished to the net after being set up by McDaid.

Much to their credit though Leo Carolan’s young charges didn’t lie down as they lay siege to the Rossa goal.  Converted frees from Conlon and Jack Carolan gave them hope and it took some great defending from Matthew McKernan and Conor Boyle to keep them at bay. Carr relieved the pressure somewhat with a stunning point but the Carrickmacross pressure finally paid off and once again it was the outstanding O’Rourke to the fore when he flicked a high ball to the Rossa net leaving the minimum between the sides as the atmosphere rose another notch.

Mc Daid had chances for his side but could not convert as tensions reached fever pitch.  A Conlon free levelled matters in the dying minutes and with the next score vital it was Rossa captain Conor Boyle who turned out to be his side’s hero putting his body on the line to intercept a dangerous attack and then charged eighty yards down the pitch before finally being hauled down, leaving it to McCafferty to convert the free before referee Joe Corcoran’s final whistle brought an end to an enthralling quarter final.

Rossa joint manager Bill Kelly was understandably elated with his side’s performance. “The experience of playing in the tournament exceeded our expectations. The quality of the opponent added to the quality of the facilities made it a great day all round.  We would like to thank Carrickmacross for their sportsmanship and a great game, I couldn’t be prouder of our lads and how they dug out the victory’.  Rossa now progress to the semi finals on Saturday 2nd November.  

Teams:  Rossa – Se McCashin, Conor Boyle, Barry McBurney Hegarty, Pearse McCashin, James Boyle, EoinTrainor, Matthew McKernan, Ruairi Murray (0-1), Ben McAuley (0-1), Diarmaid Rogan, Michael McDaid (1-1), Rory Grant, Barra McCafferty (1-3, 3f), Patrick Moyes, Liam Carr (1-2) – Subs Oisin Walsh for P Moyes, Callum Carty for R Grant

Carrickmacross – Kyle Cassidy, Sean Birdy, Cathal Maher, Luke McSharry, Finan Carolan, Jack McMenamin, Niall Meehan, Darragh Mee, Cian Conlon (0-4, 3f), Oisin McNally, Stephen O’Rourke (1-3), Ciaran McMahon, Flynn Holland Boylan (0-2, 1f), Dualta Honney (0-1), Jack Carolan (1-1, 1f)– Subs Jamie Jones for C McMahon, Nathan Campbell for O McNally

Referee – Joe Corcoran (Fermanagh)