Eire Og Sean Treacys edge a thriller against Rockwell Rosegreen to reach Under 21 final

Francis Coughlan at Annacarty

Eire Og/Sean Treacys booked their place in the McGrath Oil West U21B Football Championship Final for the second year in a row following a narrow victory over Rockwell/Rosegreen under lights at Annacarty on Friday evening.

Played on a very still night with a slight drizzle as the second half progressed, the eventual winners who looked in a good position at half time despite being just three ahead had to deal with the concession of three second half goals including two in the opening five minutes which ensured Rockwell Rosegreen were always going to be a threat to the final whistle.

Scores in the opening half were few with just five in total. Both sides were comfortable in trying to hold and recycle possession.

Eire Og/Sean Treacys looked the better side in that opening thirty with Darragh Kelly and Larry Collins central to their performance.

Liam Crosse and two from Larry Collins had them three to the good at the end of the opening quarter. Podge Quinlan eventually got Rockwell/Rosegreen off the mark in the sixteen minute. His side came more into the game as the half progressed thanks to some good running from Kevin Keating, however, they failed to add to this tally. Cillian Kennedy added another point to leave Eire Og/Sean Treacys ahead 0-4 to 0-1 at the break through they could have had a goal or two to their name at this stage.

The second half resumed with a bang for Rockwell/Rosegreen with two goals in the first five minutes. In the third minute a quick attacking move saw Patrick Colville put Colin Bourke through to kick low to the net.

Two minutes later JP Anglim’s effort for a point at the stand side dropped short where Kyle Burke palmed into the net. This second goal certainly seemed to wake the combination of Eire Og/Sean Treacys who had the goal cancelled out in the next six minutes with Larry Collins, Darragh Kelly and Scott Ryan all on target.

Darragh Kelly’s accuracy from placed balls was a huge asset as they punished Rockwell/Rosegreen indiscipline following Darragh O’Brien’s lead point.

Heading into the final ten minutes they led by four but that was wiped out in the space of three minutes when Colin Bourke got through on goal following a point from a free. The game was now level again.

Darragh Kelly would point another free which would prove to be the match winning score two minutes from time. Eire Og/Sean Treacys tried to hold possession for the remainder to ensure Rockwell/Rosegreen didn’t get a chance to force extra-time.

Eire Og/Sean Treacys will now face Aherlow Gaels in the final.

Scorers and Teams:

Eire Og/Sean Treacys: Darragh Kelly (0-5f), Larry Collins (0-3), Liam Crosse (0-1), Cillian Kennedy (0-1), Scott Ryan (0-1), Darragh O’Brien (0-1)

Rockwell/Rosegreen: Colin Bourke (2-1), Kyle Burke (1-0), Podge Quinlan (0-1)

Eire Og/Sean Treacys: Brian Hammersley, Colin Heffernan, Darragh O’Brien, Brian Nolan, Eoin Sheldon, Adam O’Dwyer, Tom O’Dwyer, Darragh Carr, Colm Kennedy, Liam Crosse, Darragh Kelly, Cillian Kennedy, Larry Collins, Scott Ryan, Michael Furlong
Suns Used: James Butler for Michael Furlong, Timmy Costello for Liam Crosse, Daniel Kelly for Scott Ryan

Rockwell/Rosegreen: Eoghan Doyle, Senan McMahon, Peter Heney, Jason O’Gorman, Andrew Tobin, Luca Fitzgerald, Oisin Cummins, Patrick Colville, David Bergin, Andrew Gallagher, Kevin Keating, Podge Quinlan, JP Anglim, Colin Bourke, Kyle Bourke
Suns Used: Liam Moloney for Andrew Gallagher, William Colville for Senan McMahon, Ross Burke for Andrew Tobin, Aaron O’Dwyer for Luca Fitzgerald

Referee: Seanie Peters (Aherlow)