S.F.L. Division 3 Relegation semi-final
Fighting Cocks 2-17 Tinryland 1-15
The Fighting Cocks maintained their division 3 status with a 5 point win over Tinryland’s 2nd 15 in a competitive and sometimes tempestuous game played in the Cocks on Thursday last.
When these teams met in the league proper 6 weeks ago the score was Fighting Cocks 2-17 and Tinryland 0-8. The Cocks tally was exactly similar to the previous game but Tinryland were a totally different outfit in this game staying in touch with their opponents for most of the hour.
The visitors with the wind in their backs played good football in the opening half racing into a 2 point lead in the opening minutes via points from Shane Webb and Conall O’Shea.
The home team were back on par by the 4th minute with good scores from Cian O’Byrne and their best player on the night Aaron Dowling.
A well struck free in the 5th minute by Padraic Whelan restored the Tinryland lead and when Peter Hennessy struck a brilliant 2 pointer in the 7th minute the Tinryland lead was extended to 3 points. A purple 3- minute spell for the Cocks followed and it was all square by the 12th minute after well struck point scoring from Aaron Dowling, (2) and Cian O’Byrne. Mid-way through the opening Lorcan O’Connor edged Tinryland ahead once again followed by another great score from Padraic Whelan after good play by Peter Hennessy.
Disaster then struck for Tinryland when Cocks centre back Will Kelly crashed the ball to the Tinryland net to put his side ahead for the first time.
Maurice Lawler then entered the fray for Tinryland as Bobby Doyle levelled matters once again but the Cocks responded with a well taken Alan Quigley point. The closing stages of the opening half saw another mini purple patch for Tinryland and the men from Rathcrogue retired two points ahead at the interval following 3 excellent points from Jamie Walker, Maurice Lawler and Shane Webb. Half time score Tinryland 0-11 Fighting Cocks 1-6.
When Eire Og referee Damien Brady re-started proceedings the Cocks with wind advantage were quickly out of the blocks and they were back on level terms within 4 minutes after 2 excellent points from Aaron Dowling and another from wing back Dylan Ruane. Maurice Lawler kept Tinryland in touch with a successful free won by himself but that man Aaron Dowling kept up his scoring rate with a 37th minute point followed by another Cocks 2 pointer from their mid-fielder Billy Nolan. The winners then introduced veteran Matty Dowling into the action as Peter Hennessy for Tinryland and Aaron Dowling for the Cocks traded points leaving one goal separating the teams at the three-quarter mark. Fighting Cocks pressure was finally rewarded with a goal from wing back Niall Fitzpatrick which put 6 points between the teams and 3 further points from Aaron Dowling (2), and Matty Dowling gave the home side a comfortable 8- point lead as the clock ticked into stoppage time. Tinryland to their credit kept plugging away and were rewarded with a Shane Webb point and a goal from Eoin Townsend before referee Brady brought proceedings to a halt. Tinryland still have one more chance to maintain their division 3 status when they play O’Hanrahans in a winner take all fixture in the coming weeks.
Fighting Cocks: Darragh Byrne, Sean McGrath, Matthew English-Hayden, Sean Butler, Dylan Ruane 0-1, Will Kelly 1-0, Niall Fitzpatrick 1-0, Jack McDonald, Billy Nolan 0-2, Emmet Moran, Glenn O’Rourke 0-1, Cian O’Byrne 0-2, Aaron Dowling 0-8, Ruairi Nevin, Alan Quigley 0-2. Subs: Matty Dowling 0-1, Alan Hickey, Bill Eustace.
Tinryland: Ciaran Byrne, Padraic Whelan 0-2, Conor Byrne, Bradleigh Nolan, Shane Webb 0-3, Jack Murphy, Bobby Doyle 0-1, Peter Hennessy 0-4, Lorcan O’Connor 0-1, Seamus McCullough, Cian McCreanor, Brian McGrath, Jamie Walker 0-1, Jack Lowry, Conall O’Shea 0-1. Subs: Maurice Lawler 0-2, Eoin Hosey, Eoin Townsend 1-0.
Referee Damien Brady Eire Og
