Pat Ryan
KILWORTH 0-18
KILDORRERY 4-5
In a keenly contested Division (1) Football League final at Araglin on Saturday last Kilworth won their first ever Division (1) FL title when they had a point to spare over Kildorrery.
Kildorrery were going for their third title in a row having beaten Mitchelstown in the past two years.
The winners were first off the mark and had two early points from the impressive Seán Carey inside the third minute. Kildorrery gradually settled and went ahead in the fifth minute when Peter O’Brien goaled from a ‘45’, 1-0 to 0-2.
Kilworth looked very dangerous going forward and two quick points by Seán Carey by the ninth minute restored their advantage. However within three minutes Kildorrery broke down the field, and a great movement involving Tom Paul Murphy, Mike Monaghan, Tom Monaghan, Peter O’Brien and Eamonn O’Connor led to Pádraig Hanley goaling to make it 2-0 to 0-4.
Both sides then exchanged points and at the end of the first quarter Kildorrery led by 2-1 to 0-5.
Kilworth were creating numerous chances in front of goal in the first half and they forced level by the 24th minute when Thomas Twomey and Elton Pierce pointed — the latter then put his side in front a minute later.
Kildorrery got back on level terms when Stephen Coughlan had a point, but a late pointed free from Elton Pierce gave Kilworth the advantage at the break, 0- 9 to 2-2.
In the second half Kildorrery made a great start with a third goal, courtesy of Tom Monaghan, in the 32nd minute. Kilworth, however, fought back well and forced level by the 42nd minute at 0-12 to 3-3.
Kildorrery then went on to enjoy their best spell and looked very impressive going forward. Tom Monaghan edged them ahead with a point in the 43rd minute and from the Kilworth kick-out John Paul Coughlan gained possession and set up Mike Monaghan for a great point to make it 3-5 to 0-12.
They were then denied a goal when full-forward Pádraig Hanley struck the crossbar, but they didn’t have to wait long for their fourth green flag. In the 49th minute when a crossfied ball by Michael Walsh found Tom Monaghan who set up Peter O’Brien for a goal which opened up a four-point lead, 4-5 to 0-13.
This, however, was to be Kildorrery’s last score. Kilworth finished the stronger with William Twomey, Elton Pierce and Brian Tobin all catching the eye. By the 58th minute they had gained parity courtesy of two points each from William Twomey and Elton Pierce to make it 0-17 to 4-5.
Both sides pushed hard for the winning score in the dying moments. The all-important score game came with a minute left when Elton Pierce pointed a free after a foul on William Twomey — time then ran out for Kildorrery as Kilworth held out for a close win.
After the game Patsy O’Mahony, Treasurer of the North Cork Board presented the cup to the winning captain John Hegarty.
Scorers
Kilworth: Elton Pierce 0-8 (0-5 frees), Seán Carey 0-5, Alan Carey 0-2, William Twomey 0-2, Thomas Twomey 0-1.
Kildorrery: Peter O’Brien 2-0 (1-0 ‘45’), Tom Monaghan 1-2 (0-1 free), Pádraig Hanley 1-0, Mike Monaghan 0-2, Stephen Coughlan 0-1.
Teams
Kilworth: Kieran Walsh; Damien McNamara, John Hegarty, Aidan Kenny; Declan Tobin, Alan Kenny, Brian Tobin; William Twomey, Maurice McNamara; Mark O’Connor, Fergal Fitzgerald, Thomas Twomey; Elton Pierce, Alan Carey, Seán Carey. Subs: Dave Roche for Alan Kenny (injured), Richard O’Brien for Fergal Fitzgerald, Justin Aherne for Maurice McNamara, Dion Cahill for Alan Carey, Jack Crowley for Justin Aherne.
Kildorrery: Brian Lee; Tom Paul Murphy, John Cremin, Tadgh Coffey; Seán Noonan, John Finn, Richard McEniry; Eamonn O’Connor, Mike Monaghan; Peter O’Brien, Stephen Coughlan, Michael Walsh; Tom Monaghan, Pádraig Hanley, John Paul Coughlan. Subs: Richard Barry for Seán Noonan, Dave Lee for Tom Paul Murphy.
Referee: Willie Magnier (Castletownroche).
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