Goleen captures first-ever county adult title after historic triumph

Goleen 1-13   

Abbey Rovers 3-5

BY TOM LYONS 

DARREN O’Donovan’s second-half goal was the turning point in Goleen’s historic county junior C football championship final win against Abbey Rovers on Friday night in Brinny, according to mentor and sub Kieran Sheehan.

The celebrations are ongoing in Goleen after they won their first-ever county adult title, with O’Donovan’s goal crucial, not to mention the heroics of veteran midfielder John Cullinane.

‘We were a small bit off the mark in the first half but Darren’s (O’Donovan) goal was the turning point, a super goal. The changes we made at half time gave us some more forward drive,’ Sheehan said.

Goleen trailed 2-4 to 0-5 at half time, with Eoin Noonan and Muiris Browne scoring goals for Abbey, while points from Jack Murphy, Daniel O’Driscoll (2), Darren O’Donovan and John Cullinane kept Goleen in touch, but with it all to do.

O’Donovan goaled early in the second half, a magical solo effort, before Cullinane tied the scores, 1-7 to 2-4, and the men from the west took over, building up a five-point lead before Abbeys struck for a late goal to set-up a nervous finish.

But Goleen held out for a magnificent and historic win.

Congratulations, a long time coming has come for Goleen.

DON'T MISS THURSDAY'S SOUTHERN STAR FOR THE FULL REPORT AND REACTION FROM THIS MAGNIFICENT DAY FOR GOLEEN GAA  

Scorers

Goleen: John Cullinane 0-6 (4f); Darren O’Donovan 1-1; Daniel O’Driscoll, Jack Murphy 0-2 each; James Scully, Tadhg Cullinane 0-1 each.

Abbey Rovers: Muiris Browne 1-1; Eoin Noonan, Mick Linehan 1-0 each; Shay Mullane 0-2f; Mark O’Callaghan, Mick Devine (1f) 0-1 each.

Goleen: Padraig Downey; Daniel O’Callaghan, David O’Leary, Darryl Connell; Sean Sheehan, Padraig Scully, James Scully; John Cullinane, Liam O’Connell; Darren O’Donovan, Tadhg Cullinane, Jack Murphy; Brendan Goggin, Daniel O’Driscoll, David Farrell.

Subs used: Aaron Barry, Padraig Reidy, Shane O’Leary, Brendan Scully.

Abbey Rovers: Mick Devine; Will Madden, John Batterberry, David Relihan; Harry O’Farrell, Adrian O’Donovan, Pat Madden; Shay Mullane, Philip Murphy; Wesley Walshe, Muiris Browne, Russell O’Brien; Eoin Noonan, Marcus O’Callaghan, Niall Hazelwood.

Subs used: Richard Relihan, James Linehan, Adrian O’Callaghan, Mick Linehan.

Referee: Kieran Feury (Cill na Martra).