All-Ireland Club IHC: Dicksboro denied in late drama
February 14, 2011
Ballymartle's Graham Webb and Enda Malone of Dicksboro in action during the All Ireland Club IHC final at Croke Park
Dicksboro 1-20
A late, late goal from Darren McCarthy, which owed plenty to good fortune, saw the All-Ireland intermediate club title head for Ballymartle at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.
McCarthy's injury time free from the 45-metre line eluded everyone on its way to the Dicksboro net to complete a stunning turnaround at GAA HQ.
The Kilkenny side appeared to be on course for victory, and surely would have claimed the title but for a stunning stop by Ballymartle goalkeeper Declan McCarthy moments before the match-winning goal.
Adrian Stapleton had the chance to put Dicksboro five in front but McCarthy pulled off a fine save, and moments later the ball was in the net at the other end in an incredible conclusion to the proceedings.
Ballymartle had enjoyed the better of the early exchanges to lead by six after as many minutes. McCarthy produced the first of a few crucial stops to bat away a Shane Maher penalty after the goalkeeper had been deemed to have fouled Paul O'Flynn inside the large square.
Dicksboro were taking control, however, and a series of scores from Martin Gaffney helped the Kilkenny men to close the deficit to a single point (0-10 to 0-9) at the interval.
The Cork men forged clear with the first score of the second half, with Ruairi Dwyer finding the net, but eight scores in a row saw Dicksboro come from behind go six clear, with Adrian Stapleton's goal capping a fine spell.
In a prelude to the last-minute drama, Barry Dwyer's long-range free dropped into the Dicksboro net to halve the deficit, and with just two between the sides Darren McCarthy's late free followed a similar path to give Ballymartle a memorable triumph.
Ballymartle: D McCarthy; D Coleman, M Tobin, B Dwyer (1-7); J Kelly (0-1), P Dwyer, N Sheehan; S Corry, G Webb; B Dwyer, R Dwyer (1-0), D Edmonds (0-2); D McCarthy (1-2), D Dwyer (0-1), J Dwyer (0-2). Subs: B Coleman for Sheehan (48), C Coleman for Dwyer (32).
Dicksboro: S Morrissey; D Glynn, K Cuddihy, P Hogan; M Fagan, D Kenny, E Malone; D O'Gorman, C O'Loughlin (0-1); P O'Flynn (0-4), M Gaffney (0-12), O Walsh; C Starr, S Maher (0-1), A Stapleton (1-2). Subs: K Nolan for O'Gorman (54).
Referee: A Kelly (Galway). Tweet
