CAPPINCUR have not ignited fully yet, they are some way from firing on all cylinders but their ability to grind out results has them firmly on course for a semi-final place in the Senior “B” Football Championship.
Tullamore Court Hotel Senior “B” Football Championship Round 3
Cappincur 1-17
Ballycumber 1-12
Their capacity to work hard, the potential for their most experienced and best players to lead saw them do just enough to win another game, beating Ballycumber in Ballycumber on Saturday afternoon.
With five points from three games, Cappincur are in a very strong position while Ballycumber find themselves on increasingly icy ground with three defeats from three games. This one showed why both sides are in this position.
Ballycumber battled hard and their was no faulting their effort and work rate but when it boiled down to it, they just weren’t good enough to win this one. They weren’t 100 miles away and it wouldn’t have taken a lot for them to win but Cappincur looked like they would take the points from the moment they settled into the game after a few minutes.
A mounting injury list is a big concern for Cappincur. The season is over for John Colgan and PJ Daly with cruciate injuries but on the plus side, they have Bill Carroll to come back. Carroll was togged out but not used again and it is fair going to have five points with their star player out of action.
The problem for Cappincur is they are sucking air to an extent and any more injuries to key players could sabotage their promotion ambitions. They just don’t have the panel to cope with that but they are motoring along nicely at the moment, not playing particularly well but getting results and that is what it is all about at this stage – the impression that they could run out of road later on is a valid one but Cappincur are doing everything asked of them so far.
This was a messy, disjointed game with no real flow to it. Both sides fouled a lot, both clubs had players who moaned at and contested refereeing decisions and there were plenty of comments coming in from the sideline and supporters, as well as a bit of dust up after the final whistle.
It was that type of game but Cappincur will be delighted with the win and were full value for it. A second minute Cormac Quinn goal got Ballycumber off to a dream start and they were 1-1 to 0-1 up after eight minutes. Unfortunately for them, that was the high point of their afternoom.
Cappincur had recovered to lead by 0-10 to 1-5 at half time and really should have been further ahead, though their haul did include three two pointers, from Ciaran Farrell, Sean Graham and Sean Courtney. The winners, however, should have had two goals in the first half with Oisin Carroll saving well from Niall Minnock, who also rattled the post later in the half.
Ballycumber fought with commendable spirit in the second half but never really looked like they would get there. The most pleasing aspect for Cappincur was the way they were able to respond every time Ballycumber came at them, getting crucial scores to take the heat out of their opponents.
Joe Lowry got Ballycumber’s first two pointer as the home side levelled it up at 1-8 to 0-11 after 37 minutes. Cappincur responded superbly as Peter Norris kicked a delicious point and Ger Treacy tapped over a free. Cappincur’s goal more or less ended it as a contest in the 42nd minute, former county player Jason Gethings showing his experience and footballing intelligence to interchange with Peter Norris and set him up for the easiest of goals.
Ballycumber had their best spell after this and a quality Keith Lawler two pointer had the gap back to two, 1-13 to 1-11 with eight minutes left. It should have been game on but Ballycumber wilted as Cappincur sub David Carroll made a terrific impact, scoring two points and showing very well for the ball to help them across the line for a five point win.
MATCH ANALYSIS
MAN OF THE MATCH
Brion Carroll (Cappincur): It is a reflection of Cappincur’s superiority that all the contenders were on their side. Brion Carroll gets the nod. He was rock solid at centre half back, barely putting a foot wrong and almost always doing the right thing. That was symptomatic of Cappincur’s overall display with midfielder Adam Galvin displaying similar attributes in a powerful midfield display.
Former county star Eoin Carroll went the full distance and showed his value with his capacity to win ball, put in hard hits and lay off simple ball. Sean Graham, Ciaran Farrell and Sean Courtney also showed up very prominently for Cappincur.
Ballycumber didn’t have many players that had their influence and did well to be so competitive considering this. Cormac Quinn put in a very good shift and Joe Lowry was dangerous any time he got the ball into hand, though he was carrying a leg and this limited his possession. Adam Daly was tigerish in defence as Ballycumber gave it their best shot.
THE SCORERS
Cappincur: Peter Norris 1-2 (1f), Ger Treacy (1f), Sean Graham (1 x 2p) and Sean Courtney (1 x 2p) 0-3 each, Ciaran Farrell (2p) and David Carroll 0-2 each, Adam Galvin and Sean Flynn 0-1 each.
Ballycumber: Cormac Quinn 1-3 (2f), Joe Lowry (1 x 2p) and Gary Larkin (2f) 0-3 each, Keith Lawler 0-2 (2p), Shaun Creevy 0-1.
THE TEAMS
CAPPINCUR: Lauran Ryan; Ollie Hayes, Diarmuid Carroll, Darragh Norris; Sean Flynn, Brion Carroll, Sean Graham; Ciaran Farrell, Adam Galvin; Andrew Strong, Sean Courtney, Eoin Carroll; Niall Minnock, Ger Treacy, Peter Norris. Subs – Michael Fitzgerald for Hayes, inj. (21m), Jason Gethings for Strong (37m), David Carroll for Minnock (46m), Andrew Healion for Flynn (64m).
BALLYCUMBER: Oisin Carroll; Jack Daly, John Egan, Adam Daly; Marcus Keena, Cathal Guinan, Keith Lawler; Cormac Quinn, Ethan Keena; Jamie Cornally, Gary Larkin, Clive Keena; Nigel Grennan, Shaun Creevy, Joe Lowry. Subs – Colin Daly for Grennan (57m), Aaron Daly for Cornally (57m).
Referee – Fergal Smyth (Kilclonfert).
REFEREE WATCH
There was a niggle to this match but Fergal Smyth handled it well. He regularly spoke to players about dissent and even warned a Ballycumber man wearing a bib the far side of the railings that he could award Cappincur a 13 metre free when he complained that a ball had crossed the Cappincur goal line in the first half – it didn’t looked to have from where I was anyway. If anything, Smyth gave too much leeway at times for dissent but he was not a factor in the result and was very balanced in the way he refereed.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Peter Norris’s second half goal gave Cappincur a five point lead and that was always a sufficient cushion.
VENUE WATCH
Ballycumber had loads of stewards to manage this home fixture. They were courteous and helpful and their pitch was in great shape.
WHAT’S NEXT
Ballycumber travel to Ballinagar in round 4 while Cappincur host Daingean in a mouth watering local derby.
STATISTICS
Wides: Ballycumber – 5 (2 in first half); Cappincur – 10 (7 in first half).
Yellow cards: Ballycumber – 0; Cappincur – 1 (Diarmuid Carroll).
Black cards: 0
Red cards: 0
