Offaly SFC final: Johnson stars as Ferbane dethrone Rhode
October 13, 2019
Rhode's Anton Sullivan gathers possession ahead of Ferbane's Kyle Higgins. ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan.
Ferbane 2-13
Rhode 0-14
Cian Johnson showed his star quality by scoring 2-3 as Ferbane came from five points down with 20 minutes remaining to dethrone Rhode in a thrilling Offaly SFC final at Bord na Mona O'Connor Park.
The youngster was the inspiration behind Ferbane's first Dowling Cup success in 25 years as they made amends for last year's heavy defeat to the same opposition.
Despite being forced to start without their talisman Niall McNamee, four-in-a-row chasing Rhode eased into 0-5 to 0-1 lead first quarter lead after Joe Maher had opened the scoring for Ferbane. Sean Dempsey's men narrowed the gap to the minimum through scores from Maher, Johnson and Kevin Nugent before Niall Darby and Ciaran Heavey replied to send the champions into the break with a 0-8 to 0-6 lead.
With Darby on song from frees and Anton Sullivan kicking three points from play, Rhode stretched out their lead to 0-11 to 0-6 before Johnson's first green flag in the 40th minute sparked the Ferbane comeback. Points from David Nally and Johnston had them level before the latter collected another high ball and blasted home to propel his side into a 2-8 to 0-11 lead with 15 minutes to go.
Three Darby frees left the minimum in it with five minutes remaining, but the men from the 'Green Fields' weren't to be denied as late scores from Johnson, Maher, Oisin Kelly and Cathal Flynn secured a five-point win.
Ferbane - J Cullinan; S Wren, C Lowry, S Nally; D Nally (0-1), L Fox, K Nugent (0-1); K Higgins, C Cahill; C Flynn (0-1), J Maher (0-6, 4f), A Keenaghan; C Johnson (2-3), O Kelly (0-1), S Flynn. Subs: J Clancy for S Flynn, D Kelly for K Higgins, J Nally for C Lowry, D Cox for C Cahill, K McManus for K Nugent (BC), P Moore for J Maher.
Rhode - D Morris; B Darby (0-1), E Rigney, J McPadden; D Kavanagh, J Kavanagh, N Darby (0-7, 6f); A McNamee, C McNamee; C Heavey (0-1), R McNamee, S Hannon; D Garry (0-1), A Sullivan (0-3), A Kellaghan (0-1). Subs: S Sullivan for C C Heavey, S Lowry for A Kellaghan, N McNamee for D Kavanagh.
Referee - M Carty.
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