Our junior footballers showed the true Rovers spirit right to the end of this entertaining league encounter in Páirc na Bríde this evening.
With a plethora of late withdrawals from the match-day panel through injury and self-preservation, we were delighted that midfield dynamos Luke Harrington (resident of Poland), rugby star Darragh O'Sullivan, local soccer stars Rami Gharib and Ben Hogan all made themselves available. Also, Ryan O'Callaghan shrugged of injury to captain the side on the evening. And they truly put their shoulder to the wheel against this experienced Glenbower Roversside featuring 12 of the side who won East Cork Junior A Hurling title with Killeagh last year.
The first half was challenging, with Glenbower adapting to the conditions better in the first 20 minutes. Despite strong committed defending by Jordan Mannix, John Buckley, Adam Hynes and Liam Collins, we were breached on three occasions during this time. As the half progressed, Darragh O'Sullivan and John O'Sullivan started contesting Ronan's pinpoint kickouts well in the air, and Luke Harrington and Seamus Ahern really started to drive at the Glenbower defence. Some nice interplay involving Gearóid Gubbins and Ryan O'Callaghan saw us chalk up two deserved points in the second quarter through threat-in-chief Seamus Ahern. Pressure applied by Mike Manley, Ryan Cahill, Nicky Kelleher prevented Glenbower from clearing their lines easily during this spell of Rovers pressure.
Half-time allowed the team to regroup, take stock and the players identified a number of priorities to turn the tide in the second half.
From the outset of the half, subs Rami Gharib, and Cillian O'Sullivan were providing good outlets for passes, Jake Tobin and Ryan O'Callaghan showed more composure and vision, and suddenly Darragh and Ronan O'Riordan were becoming serious threats through interplay and when kicking from distance. Ben Hogan's booming kick-outs targeted our players who were keener to contest and especially sweep up breaking ball and this effort saw us outscore Glenbower in the second half. Highlights of the half were a well-dispatched goal from Seamus, as well as an inspired point from Ciarán O'Dowd having being involved in a double interception in defence just moments before. It was great to see Murat Abdallah make a late cameo after travelling from college to represent his club.
Well done to the lads on this fine effort for the cause, on a night when our minor footballers enjoyed a fine win. Well done to junior football panellists Conor O'Riordan, Ronan Barry, Cormac Barry, Jack Mannix, Gearóid O'Connell and Adam Cronin on this victory.
Jordan Mannix, John O'Sullivan and Seamus Aherne were all involved in the last time our club won adult championship silverware - the 2021 Junior A football success, and will provide leadership as this new group continue to develop and reach these heights again. Their next game is on Fri 9th May against Dungourney.
Matchday Panel
Ronan O'Riordan
Nicky Kelleher
Jordan Mannix
Ciarán O'Dowd
Liam Collins
Adam Hynes
John Buckley
Darragh O'Sullivan
Luke Harrington
Gearóid Gubbins
Seamus Ahern
John O'Sullivan
Mike Manley
Ryan O'Callaghan
Ryan Cahill
Ben Hogan
Cillian O'Sullivan
Rami Gharib
Jake Tobin
Murat Abdallah
Eldon O'Connor (inj)
Team Mentors
James Bermingham
Mike Carey
Kind regards,
Michael Carey
With a plethora of late withdrawals from the match-day panel through injury and self-preservation, we were delighted that midfield dynamos Luke Harrington (resident of Poland), rugby star Darragh O'Sullivan, local soccer stars Rami Gharib and Ben Hogan all made themselves available. Also, Ryan O'Callaghan shrugged of injury to captain the side on the evening. And they truly put their shoulder to the wheel against this experienced Glenbower Roversside featuring 12 of the side who won East Cork Junior A Hurling title with Killeagh last year.
The first half was challenging, with Glenbower adapting to the conditions better in the first 20 minutes. Despite strong committed defending by Jordan Mannix, John Buckley, Adam Hynes and Liam Collins, we were breached on three occasions during this time. As the half progressed, Darragh O'Sullivan and John O'Sullivan started contesting Ronan's pinpoint kickouts well in the air, and Luke Harrington and Seamus Ahern really started to drive at the Glenbower defence. Some nice interplay involving Gearóid Gubbins and Ryan O'Callaghan saw us chalk up two deserved points in the second quarter through threat-in-chief Seamus Ahern. Pressure applied by Mike Manley, Ryan Cahill, Nicky Kelleher prevented Glenbower from clearing their lines easily during this spell of Rovers pressure.
Half-time allowed the team to regroup, take stock and the players identified a number of priorities to turn the tide in the second half.
From the outset of the half, subs Rami Gharib, and Cillian O'Sullivan were providing good outlets for passes, Jake Tobin and Ryan O'Callaghan showed more composure and vision, and suddenly Darragh and Ronan O'Riordan were becoming serious threats through interplay and when kicking from distance. Ben Hogan's booming kick-outs targeted our players who were keener to contest and especially sweep up breaking ball and this effort saw us outscore Glenbower in the second half. Highlights of the half were a well-dispatched goal from Seamus, as well as an inspired point from Ciarán O'Dowd having being involved in a double interception in defence just moments before. It was great to see Murat Abdallah make a late cameo after travelling from college to represent his club.
Well done to the lads on this fine effort for the cause, on a night when our minor footballers enjoyed a fine win. Well done to junior football panellists Conor O'Riordan, Ronan Barry, Cormac Barry, Jack Mannix, Gearóid O'Connell and Adam Cronin on this victory.
Jordan Mannix, John O'Sullivan and Seamus Aherne were all involved in the last time our club won adult championship silverware - the 2021 Junior A football success, and will provide leadership as this new group continue to develop and reach these heights again. Their next game is on Fri 9th May against Dungourney.
Matchday Panel
Ronan O'Riordan
Nicky Kelleher
Jordan Mannix
Ciarán O'Dowd
Liam Collins
Adam Hynes
John Buckley
Darragh O'Sullivan
Luke Harrington
Gearóid Gubbins
Seamus Ahern
John O'Sullivan
Mike Manley
Ryan O'Callaghan
Ryan Cahill
Ben Hogan
Cillian O'Sullivan
Rami Gharib
Jake Tobin
Murat Abdallah
Eldon O'Connor (inj)
Team Mentors
James Bermingham
Mike Carey
Kind regards,
Michael Carey
