Michael McCarthy at Cappawhite
The Eire Óg Annacarty/Sean Treacys combo had a comprehensive victory over the Cappawhite & Solohead combination in Cappawhite Sunday afternoon.
The victory, along with last week's win over Cashel, means they qualify for the final and a match up with 2023 champions Clonoulty/Rossmore.
The opening exchanges were tough and well fought and only one point separated the teams at halftime, however a commanding second half display saw the Eire Óg/Treacys men come out on top.
Conor Martin has Cappa Gaels on the board first with a well taken point from play after two minutes, a brace of frees from Darragh Kelly & a good Darragh Carr score put Eire Óg/Treacys up by two at the ten minute mark.
Conor Martin replied with a well taken free of his own before Darragh Kelly ('65) and Stephen Dee exchanged minors. Conor Martin then hit two frees inside 30 seconds to tie things up with five of the half to go.
Cillian Kennedy announced himself to the game with a well worked point and that was quickly followed by another Kelly free. Conor Martin had a free on the stroke of half time to leave the minimum in it.
Both sides, while full of endeavour, lacked any real quality and frees were the name of the game in the opening half.
Just ninety seconds into the second period Eire Óg/Treacys had a fortunate goal, Larry Collins picked a ball up between the '45 & '65 and his point attempt looked to be dropping short only for the Cappa Gaels substitute goalkeeper to miscalculate and the sliotar ended up in the net.
Scores were hard to come by and it would be five minutes before the next flag, the impressive Cillian Kennedy raising his 2nd point from play, Cappa Gaels responded immediately with Sean Hayes reacting fastest in the square for a much need major and Conor Martin followed up with a free and there was only a point in it with twenty minutes to go.
This was as good as it got for the Cappawhite/Solohead combination as in the space of three minutes the game was put to bed. James Butler, now operating at wing forward scored three points in the spell while Cillian Kennedy nipped in front of his marker for his sides 2nd goal.
Conor Martin tried to stem the tide with two well taken frees but Eire Óg/Treacys put the foot down and hit the last Goal and five points for a comfortable fourteen-point victory.
Cappawhite Gaels best performances came in the first half where Michael English & Stephen Dee got through a lot of work, Tommy Costello faired best all through despite having man marking duties of the elusive Darragh Kelly, not many have kept Kelly scoreless from play this year so the young Cappawhite man can be very proud of his efforts.
Conor Martin tried hard all day but got little help from the supporting cast. Cian O'Carroll also showed in patches.
For the victors Darragh O'Brien commanded his square while Colm Kennedy and Eoin Sheldon were strong in the half back line. Adam O'Dwyer & Max Carroll won the midfield battle.
Upfront though it was James Butler and Cillian Kennedy who caught the eye with good score taking especially in the second half.
Eire Óg/Treacys will relish a cut off the defending champions Clonoulty/Rossmore. With good forwards on both sides, it will make for an intriguing battle.
Eire Óg/Treacys: Michael Ryan(EOA), Philip Treacy(ST), Darragh O'Brien(EOA), Brian Nolan (ST), Eoin Sheldon(ST), Colm Kennedy(ST)(0-1), Tom O'Dwyer(ST), Max Carroll(ST), Adam O'Dwyer(EOA), Darragh Carroll(ST)(0-1), Darragh Kelly(EOA)(0-9F), Cillian Kennedy (ST)(2-03), Larry Collins (ST)(1-0), James Butler (ST)(0-3), Michael Furlong(EOA)
Subs used: Ronan Carr, Timmy Costello, Scott Ryan & Liam Crosse
Cappawhite Gaels: Ben White, Conor Gantley, Michael English, Stephen Dee(Solo) 0-1, James Quinlan, Tommy Costello, Tristan Stokes(Solo), Cian O'Carroll, Neil Clancy, Brian G Buckley, Daire Duggan, Conor Martin(0-8, 0-7F), James Barry, Sean Cleary, Sean Hayes(1-0)
Subs used: Ross Creedon & Josh O'Dwyer
Referee: Richie O'Connor (Arravale Rovers)
