Sunday 28th September 2014
Éire Óg Oxford 2-11 v Glen Rovers Watford 1-05
Éire Óg Oxford outgunned Glen Rovers from Watford to win their second Hertfordshire football championship at Horspath GAA Pitch last Sunday. Down by a point at half-time, the Oxford men converted two second half penalties to depose the 2013 champions.
The Oxford men started well and dominated the first 20 minutes, however, some poor shot choices meant they only scored three points. Speedster Piers McGlynn notched over two fine points whilst industrious half-forward Conor Briody set up JP Doyle for a fine point on the 15 minute mark. Eight wide’s in the first twenty minutes demonstrated first final nerves and the pressure exerted by the Glen Rovers backs. Niall O’ Reilly opened the Watford sides account with a fine free and Glen Rovers hit a purple patch for the remainder of the half. Two more frees from O’ Reilly and a goal from marauding midfielder Seamus Hayes left Glen Rovers with a three point lead on the twenty five minute mark. Oxford responded with two points from the boot of substitute Chris Donnellan to leave the game delicately poised at 1-3 to 0-5 at halftime, a one point lead for Glen Rovers.
McGlynn was upended in the square in the first minute of the second half and calmly converted the resultant penalty. This proved to be the turning point of the game as, whilst Glen Rovers scored the next two points, via the boot of O’ Reilly, the Oxford men never went behind again. They regained the lead with points from Chris Donnellan either side of the forty minute mark to leave the score at 1-7 to 1-5. Éire Óg’s roving full-back Michael Cooke scored an excellent point from the twenty meter line and this was quickly followed by a point from full-forward Mark Ryan. Donnellan scored the next two points to leave the Watford men six behind. Needing goals, Glen Rovers bombarded the Éire Óg full back line but some heroic defending from Danny Nicholls, Eoin O’ Grady and Dave Behan prevented them from gaining a foothold. Chris Donnellan showed possible glimpses of his future as a full-back by twice catching the ball from under the Oxford crossbar in the final few minutes. Any chance of a Watford comeback were scuppered when a penalty was awarded to midfielder Stevie Mellon after he was up scuttled in the Watford square. Thomas Gaughan coolly dispatched the penalty to the cheers of the large home crowd.
Éire Óg captain Mark O’ Callaghan accepted the cup from County Board chairman John Gormley, the first time the cup has wintered in Oxford for 23 years. There were many contenders for man of the match including defender Danny Nicholls, midfielder Stevie Mellon and forward Chris Donnellan however, a fine display by speedster Piers McGlynn deserved the award on the day. The Oxford men march onto the All Britain semi-final and, after a display where ever point scored was dispatched as if they were a point behind, will look forward to that encounter with relish.
Éire Óg: Ryan Davies, Mark Hickey, Michael Cooke (0-01), Darren Cuddy, Colm Fitzgerald, Johnny Harte, Danny Nicholls, Mark O’ Callaghan, Stevie Mellon, JP Doyle (0-01), Liam Reale, Conor Briody , Kevin Morrissey, Mark Ryan(0-01), Piers McGlynn (1-02). Subs Chris Donnellan (0-06) for Kevin Morrissey, Eoin O’ Grady for Colm Fitzgerald, Dave Behan for Danny Nicholls, Tommy Gaughan (1-00) for JP Doyle, John O’ Driscoll for Piers McGlynn, Eoin Toomey for Michael Cooke. Subs not used: Sean Lane, Paul O’ Sullivan, Tommy Griffin, Danny O’ Brien, Declan Sweeney.
Glen Rovers: Andrew Carey, Emmet Duignan, Ken Hayes, Eoin Callaghan, Gavin O’ Connor, Martin Calvery (0-01), Ciaran Turley, Seamus Hayes, Cormac McGary (1-00), Niall O’ Reilly (0-04), Fiachra Landers, Martin Joyce, Michael Crowley, Peter Behan, Fentan Daly. Subs Ashley Toomey for Martin Joyce, Gary Kennedy for Michael Crowley, Liam Hamilton for Peter Behan, Michael Maher for Liam Hamilton.
Referree: Mick McCarren, St Vincents.