Araglin 2-09 Charleville 3-08

This game was much closer that most people anticipated and indeed is a final that Araglin could have won were they more clinical in front of goal. In the end, Charleville were the team that registered the all important 3 goals that ensured they did the ‘north Cork/county’ double.

The roots of Araglin’s demise lay in the opening 30 minutes where we enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in addition to the benefits of a fairly stiff breeze that blew down the field. A combination of poor decision making, inaccuracy and some good goalkeeping meant the sides were tied at the break (1-04 each) when in actual fact, Araglin should have built up a considerable lead.

It was a low scoring half, Charleville opened the scoring and we didn’t get on the board until the 11th minute. Gus, leading the line from the number 14 position, scored all 4 points and supplied the pass for the goal which was blasted to the net from close range by midfielder Shay Russell.

Charleville, who were far from their best got a huge break in the 27th minute when referee, Dave O’Farrell Jr, pointed to the spot after an aggressive challenge within the large square. The decision was not well received by Araglin’s defenders who argued the Charleville attacker had been legally challenged. Arguing with the match official is somewhere on the same scale as flogging a dead horse and once the ‘debate’ was over, the kick was taken and the green flag raised.

There was more green flag woe when Charleville goaled almost immediately following the resumption. Credit to the lads they settled and played some decent passages of football. Vincent, who was selected at wing forward, added a point as did corner forward, Sean Allen to leave the scoreline 2-06 to 1-06 after 39 minutes. Unfortunately, we conceded another goal a minute later.

Vincent, who played well, kept us in touch with another neat score and midway through the second half, Peter O’Loughlin was introduced for Sean Allen. A free from Gus made it 1-08 to 3-06 and it must be said that Charleville were never comfortable at any stage. Again, considerable praise is due to our lads for working as hard as they did, especially in defence. Outside of the 3 goals, which Mark Hickey hadn’t much of a chance of saving, the defence held up pretty well. John Tobin marshalled the troops from his full back berth with PJ Ahern and Tommy Feeney occupying the corners. Brian O’Gorman and Brian Keane were on the wings – Dooner was centre back with Brendan Allen partnering Shay in midfield.

With no shortage of incidents in this game, referee Dave O’Farrell certainly earned his corn and he was quick to spot an indiscretion by Dave Browne which saw his ‘goal’ disallowed. The game’s second penalty followed soon afterwards, this time Araglin were the beneficiaries and again, hats off to Vinny who lost no time in putting the ball on the 11 metre spot before dispatching it coolly – 2-08 to 3-07 at this stage and still all to play for.

The clock was now the enemy and we threw everything at the opposition in an effort to reel them in further. Nelius, Dave Browne and Kevin Fitzgerald all toiled manfully but when it came to the crunch we seemed to lack that little bit extra that would have pushed us on. Kevin was replaced by Richie Whelan – the other change was Tom Lyons coming on for Brian Keane.

Coach Tony White and selectors, John O’Brien and Alan Hegarty made the most of the personnel available to them and couldn’t do much more. Even at the death, a goal would have won us the game but a point (by Gus) two minutes from the end was best we could do (3-08 to 2-09).

You couldn’t fault the lads for effort and they have the satisfaction of knowing they did their level best with everyone acquitting themselves well. In a game as tight as this small things can make a big difference and as already referenced, we just seemed to lack that little bit of composure and know how at critical junctures – our lack of discipline at certain times was something that also came against us.

Team and panel: Mark Hickey, P J Ahern, John Tobin, Tommy Feeney, Brian O’Gorman, Tom Kenneally Jr, Brian Keane, Brendan Allen, Shay Russell (1-00), Nelius Kearney, Dave Browne, Vincent O’Donoghue (1-02, penalty), Kevin Fitzgerald, James Kearney (0-06, 2 from frees) and Sean Allen. Subs used: Tom Lyons for Brian Keane, Peter O’Loughlin for Sean Allen (0-01) and Richie Whelan for Kevin Fitzgerald. Panel: Tom Browne, John Browne, Lar Lomasney, Mike Lyons and Darragh Allen.

Dinner dance on Saturday night

After the rigors of what’s been a long, hard season, players, mentors and supporters can look forward to what should be a very enjoyable social on this Saturday night in the hall. This event will also see the team that won the North Cork junior ‘B’ hurling in 1973 honoured. Everyone welcome.

Lotto reaches an all time high of €13,000

Last Thursday night’s lotto was not won. The numbers were: 03, 12, 13 and 31. The lucky dips went to: Bride Fitzgerald (€50); Kevin Fitzgerald (€50); Bill Leddy (€25) and P J McCarthy, Kilworth (€25). This Thursday night’s lotto jackpot is worth €13,000.