John Lockes Callan GAA

Southern Comfort for Callan

Courtesy of KK Cats Columnist "Arrigle" (Barrie Henriques is away)

Southern JHC Final
Piltown: The Complex
October 4, 2009 5.00pm

John Lockes 0-16 Kilmacow 1-10

John Lockes were value last Sunday evening for their three-point win in a good Southern Junior Final at Piltown.
Twice the margin would not have flattered them in the end and it is to Kilmacow's credit they battled so honestly to keep the gap to one puck of a sliotar. Their good start likely kept the contest tighter on the scoreboard for longer than otherwise would have transpired. As a total of 11 scores in an hour implies, the losing forwards found it very hard to prise open the Callan defence. Meanwhile the opposition front eight were much more incisive, using possession far better, always trying to work the ball into space.
50 minutes in told a tale. With the scoreboard reading 0-13 to 1-8 in John Lockes' favour, a ball broke about 25 metres from goal and was snapped by Kilmacow corner-forward Mark McGuinness. He made some ground before getting off a shot that was capably saved by goalkeeper Paul Morrissey.
While the resultant 65 was converted by Mike Sweeney, the spectators sensed a key chance had elapsed. The atmosphere had been building that way. Kilmacow, never led by more than two points, contended laudably with a superior outfit all through the second half. Yet they never, despite the closeness, convinced as winners. It was obvious Green & White would need to take a marginal goal chance to steal a march. Blue & Yellow were simply more cohesive, with their defence markedly on top.
Two minutes later, Callan's excellent Simon Burke, now deployed at wing-forward, struck for his third point of the day. Four minutes later again, he made a goal the gap, 0-15 to 1-9, via a brilliant point on the run.
Intense exchanges ensued, as per most of the final. McGuinness was fouled close in on 58 minutes. Wisely or unwisely, Paddy O'Keeffe, injured of finger, was entrusted with the 20 metre free. A goal was the order.
The refusal succeeded. Morrissey again stood tall, with substitute Willie O'Toole booked for a reckless pull in the follow up. Free out, the last glimmer much dimmer.
O'Keeffe did point a free in the final minute, to which counterpart PJ Cody replied in added time. The long whistle came quick. John Lockes had their widely expected victory by three points, 0-16 to 1-10.
Kilmacow did manage a bright start, following the blip of Paddy O'Keeffe missing a handy enough free in the 2nd minute. O'Keeffe had injured his finger in a challenge match against Thomastown and perhaps should have been taken off dead ball duties from the start.
Anyhow, wing-forward Shane Gaule struck for a lovely brace of points in the 3rd and 4th minutes. Paddy Kennedy offered a neat reply (5m), before Mike Sweeney cashed for a sterling goal. Gaule and Mark McGuinness worked an opening, with the latter eventually sending an intelligent groundstroke across the area. Sweeney was in the right place at the right time. The net shook in applause.
At 1-2 to 0-1 on six minutes, Kilmacow were more than happy. They had a foothold. Lockes full-forward Simon Burke was soon on the mark to take back some latitude. Then Jason Corcoran (10m) and O'Keeffe (14m) swopped a 65 and a free for 1-3 to 0-3.
PJ Cody became another successful Callan freetaker in the 16th minute. The minute after, Jason Corcoran slotted another one, tightening the gap to the minimum at 1-3 to 0-5.
Five minutes on, after some undistinguished hurling, O'Keeffe despatched a free from midfield in fine fashion. The opportunity was won for him by full-back Tom Reddy, lancing out of defence after gathering possession.
Not long afterwards, goalkeeper and intercounty panellist Richie O'Neill had to be alert to keep out a dipping sideline cut. Jason Corcoran made no mistake with a 65 for 1-4 to 0-6.
The contest had become somewhat scrappy and riven by frees. With the Lockes defence very much on top, the flow of Kilmacow chances had dried up.
The evergreen Declan Roche enlivened matters in the 28th minute when he threw over a superb point from midfield. The energetic Simon Burke (29m) and Paddy Kennedy (30m) then struck to give the Callan club a two-point lead at the interval, 0-9 to 1-4.
Two minutes after resumption, Mike Sweeney knocked over a free after Peter Mullally had grafted hard to gain it. JP Corcoran replied with brio on 33 minutes, taking a ball scudded into space and clipping over. Sweeney had a fine point of his own on 34 minutes, leaving the margin a mere point, 0-10 to 1-6.
Kilmacow had again started well. Could they find a higher gear? Not really, in truth. John Lockes regained a significant measure of dominance but could not weight the scoreboard with it. Shane Bergin was very active for them at wing-forward at this stage, processing a lot of ball. A PJ Cody free (38m) was the reward for this pressure.
Replying, the next minute, John Barron landed a smashing point from midfield, resetting the score at 0-11 to 1-7. Bergin's endeavours rightfully earned him a point (41m), before Shane Gaule delightfully cut a sideline over the bar on 45 minutes. Then a PJ Cody free widened the gap to 0-11 to 1-8, four minutes before Mark McGuinness gathered that ball and made honest ground, even thought the last ten minutes would disclose no joy for Kilmacow.
Despite the disappointment, they had their own stalwarts. Goalkeeper Richie O'Neill did well with the relatively small amount of work that came his way. Tom Reddy was sharp at full-back and Richie Kearns battled well beside him. John Barron and Luke Harney did decently well against a strong Callan midfield. Up front, Shane Gaule had a productive first half and Peter Mullally never stopped competing. Top scorer Mike Sweeney continued recent good form, taking a fine goal, and Mark McGuinness kept going to the end.
The winners had a confidence-inspiring goalkeeper in Paul Morrissey. The defence, conceding but 11 scores, was very solid, with the half-back trio almost entirely dominant even in John O'Neill's absence. Michael Hartley, the replacement centre-back, deserves particular mention. Jason Corcoran, a fine prospect, and JP Corcoran, an estimable veteran, comprised a powerful midfield pairing. Shane Bergin, Simon Burke and Paddy Kennedy were especially smart and acute in attack.
John Lockes proceed to the County Final, where their opponent will be Bennettsbridge or Blacks and Whites, two sides the Callan men will not fear. The chance to bounce straight back up to Intermediate will provide motivation in trampolines.

JOHN LOCKES 1 Paul Morrissey 2 Barry Cahill 3 Brendan Grace 4 Bill McCormack 5 Adrian O'Sullivan 18 Michael Hartley 7 Robbie Jackman 8 Jason Corcoran 0-3 (2f, 1 65) 9 JP Corcoran 0-1 10 PJ Cody 0-4 (f) 11 Paddy Kennedy 0-2 12 Declan Roche 0-1 13 Shane Bergin 0-1 14 Simon Burke 0-4 15 Brian Doheny.
Wides: 7 (2, 5).
Unavailable: 17 John O'Neill captain [inj].

KILMACOW 1 Richie O'Neill 2 Ray Hennessy 3 Tom Reddy 4 Richie Kearns 5 Conor Dowling 6 Robbie O'Keeffe 7 Seán Flynn 8 John Barron captain 0-1 9 Luke Harney 20 Shane Gaule 0-3 (1 sl) 11 Peter Mullally 12 Paddy O'Keeffe 0-3 (2f, 1 65) 13 Mike Sweeney 1-3 (0-1f, 0-1 65) 14 David Ryan 15 Mark McGuinness.
Subs: 10 Willie O'Toole for David Ryan (ht) 22 Brian Fleming for Conor Dowling (43m) 21 Mick Heffernan for Shane Gaule (58m).
Wides: 7 (5, 2).
Booked: Conor Dowling (37m), Tom Reddy (41m), Willie O'Toole (59m).

Referee: Domo Connolly (Mooncoin).

Score of the Match Declan Roche struck a beautiful point from 70 metres in the first half. Even better was Simon Burke's fourth one, swung over on the run as he hared down the left wing. This superb effort granted a crucial three-point advantage in the 56th minute.
Man of the Match John Lockes had a number of really fine performers but Simon Burke stands out for his overall vigour and a four-point haul from play.