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A Luke
Dolan free, his 11th point of the game, appeared to have
won the game for Strokestown in the final seconds of
normal time in extra-time. Dolan's score edged Grand
Slam-seeking Strokestown 1-12 to 0-14 ahead.
2002 Abbey Hotel League
(O'Rourke Cup) Final
Kilmore 0-16 Strokestown
1-12
(After extra-time)
But in the fourth minute of
injury-time Pat Caslin looked to have forced a replay
when he pointed a close-in free for Kilmore. However the
drama wasn't over and in the sixth minute of injury time
Gareth Carroll proved the toast of Kilmore as he kicked
over a sensational winning point to give Fergal
O'Donnell a dream start to his managerial
career.
These age-old rivals
produced a thrilling, hugely competitive local derby in
the best traditions of both clubs. Castlerea's superb
new facilities provided a suitable setting for an
engrossing match which left the crowd of 500
exhilarated.
In the first period of extra-time
Kilmore, who looked sharp and slick, hit three points
without reply from Derek Connellan, Gareth Carroll and
man of the match Caslin to lead 0-14 to 1-8 at the end
of the first period.
For the second time in an
absorbing contest Strokestown hauled themselves back
into contention. The re-introduction of John Rogers
added the necessary bite to the Town's forward unit. As
a result Pat Doorey's men hit four points in-a-row,
three from the superb Luke Dolan and one from Rogers to
put Strokestown in front 1-12 to 0-14 with time almost
up. But then Kilmore dragged themselves off the floor
with Caslin and Carroll getting the points which created
history.
After a patchy first-half Strokestown showed
their mettle in the second-half of normal time. The
county champions hit three points within four minutes of
the resumption, all coming from the magic left boot of
Luke Dolan. The second of those, in the 33rd minute, was
the Town's first from play.
After 37 minutes a foul
on Derek Connellan after a wonderful catch resulted in a
point from a free by Caslin. Seconds later Caslin
pointed another free after a late tackle on Don
Connellan. In the 42nd minute another Caslin free made
it a three-point game.
One minute later Pat Doorey
brought on Ronan Owens at midfield with Derek Hagan
going to centre forward. Hagan made an immediate impact
in his new position when he set up Luke Dolan who
quickly transferred to Conor Silke and he fired home a
rasper from close range to tie a now terrific
contest.
Strokestown went in front when Dolan struck
over a point from play after an Emmet Collins run with
14 minutes to play. Neither side scored for the next
nine minutes although play was swaying from end to
end.
Then excellent approach play by Emmet Clancy set
up the ever-reliable Caslin who brought the sides level
once more. Two minutes from the end Kilmore appeared to
have snatched glory when Caslin pointed a close-range
free, his seventh score of the contest. But in one final
Strokestown attack Leo Shiel was fouled and Dolan did
the necessary with his eight point of the contest to
make it 1-8 to 0-11 and send an enthralling battle into
extra-time.
Kilmore deservedly led by 0-6 to 0-3 at
half-time in normal time. Looking livelier and hunger
than their great rivals Kilmore were the better team in
the first-half a typical, hard-hitting local derby,
Midfielders Don Connellan and Gareth Carroll laid
the groundwork for Strokestown's first-half superiority.
Strokestown failed to score from play in the opening
period and all their scores all came from Luke Dolan
frees. Kilmore should have been further ahead than they
were at half-time as they shot seven wides, four of
which were very scoreable.
Luke Dolan hit the first
score of the game from a free after two minutes. Pat
Caslin equalised from a free six minutes later. Caslin
scored a good point from play in the ninth minute when
he punished hesitancy in the defence
Kilmore
stretched their lead after 13 minutes when constructive
play by Carroll and Don Connellan created the opening
for Anthony Dockery who kicked a splendid point on the
run. Strokestown then enjoyed their best spell of the
first-half with Kevin J. Dolan playing well at full
forward. Points from frees in the 15th and 18th minutes
by Luke Dolan tied the match at 0-3 each.
However the
latter stages of the opening half belonged to Kilmore.
After 21 minutes a very good move, again involving
Gareth Carroll and Don Connellan paved the way for Derek
Connellan to score from play. John Crowe doubled the
lead in the 24th minute and two minutes later Don
Connellan made it 0-6 to 0-3, a lead Kilmore held to the
interval.
KILMORE:
Alan Glancy; Emmet Glancy, Fearghal Carroll, Shane
Sharkey; Dermot Foley, Anthony Dockery (0-1), Damien
Tiernan; Don Connellan (0-1), Garreth Carroll (0-2);
Derek Connellan (0-2), Emmet Flood, Jim Gilchrist; John
Crowe (0-1), Damien Dorr, Pat Caslin (0-9). Subs used:
Padraig Carroll for Dorr, Gavin Flood for Tiernan,
Brendan Bourke for Gilchrist, Diarmaid Carney for E.
Flood.
STROKESTOWN: Donal Hanly; Damien
Cassidy, Niall Owens, Adrian Cassidy; Damian Donlon,
Morgan Beirne, Emmet Collins; Leo Shiel, Derek Hagan;
John Rogers (0-1), Shane Flaherty, Ronan Shiel; Luke
Dolan (0-11), Kevin J. Dolan, Conor Silke (1-0). Subs
used: Ronan Owens for Shiel, David Parker for Rogers, J.
Rogers for Silke, Kenny Bosquette for K.J. Dolan, K.J.
Dolan for Hagan.
Referee:
Haulie Beirne.
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