Cappagh 2 07 Suncroft 0 11

Our Joe Mallon sponsored boys football Minor team enjoyed another fine win at home against Suncroft.

Suncroft playing with a strong breeze took an early lead of 0-3 to no score and dominating a lot of possession. It took Cappagh 18 minutes to register the first score. However this score was a superbly taken goal worked from the midfield through to Shane Donohue who has made a habit of getting early scores as well as chasing down the opposition in defensive efforts.

With some really strong defensive efforts also seen in the back line through Ronan Hennessy and the Brogan brothers Cappagh were now stopping the momentum of Suncroft. Suncroft took a chance of another point shortly afterwards to regain parity , before a goal chance was expertly stopped by Daragh Divine. Some excellent hard running from Jack O’Connor in the middle delivered another point and another point was soon to follow from the inside forward line after a lay-off by John Brogan allowed Cathal Doyle to finish the move. Cappagh had taken the lead before two late replies on the scoreboard in the first half put them ahead at the break.

The second half showed a lesson learned by Cappagh on how to use the wind .They took advantage of the breeze and within seconds of the restart Glen Carter crafted a long accurate ball into Cathal Doyle. The ball was fielded with aplomb by Doyler and narrowly missed the target. There was a real purpose and menace about the Cappagh attacks now. It was evident that the hard working half back-line through a steely Daniel Sweeney in the Centre and flanked by Dylan Maguire stymied a few efforts by Suncroft to get forward. The middle diamond of Cappagh was opening a number of productive chances by support runs . The judging of conditions was obvious by a ball put in by Glen Carter to Cathal Doyle who was now ruling the edge of the square exchanges, and he duly finished with a great goal. Cappagh were on top now and applying maximum pressure on the opposition kick out. Some great marked fielding by Cater Donohue and Mulligan was on display. Then a shot on the edge of the 21 by Dylan Maguire was deflected, it resulted in a foul. Eoin Mulligan expertly guided over a long free on 45 minutes.

Suncroft rallied and responded through their number 6, 10 and 12 with points. Before Cappagh executed some patient build up with cool hands Daragh bringing the ball out from the posts to midfield and connecting with an accurate pass to the half forward line.

There was a reshuffling of personnel by Cappagh bringing Glen Carter back which shored up some late chances and Ross Brogan moving to half back. With Carter serving at the back, his replacement in the forwards Evan Farrell started to light up exchanges, with direct running getting inside the cover to score a great point on 50 minute mark.

The midfield partnership were working hard in defensive efforts with Daragh Devine finding a lovely ball fielded by Eric O’Leary with a quick transition through the forwards involving Eoin Mulligan, Shane Donohue and Evan Farrell with another well taken point. The corner forwards were making good runs and David Lynch delivered a lovely ball to Cathal who pointed. Another well taken free put Cappagh 3 up with a minute remaining. A spirited movement by Suncroft ended in some strong defensive efforts and Dylan Brogan broke free with the ball. Suncroft also got a late free which they tried to drive for goal which was to be tipped expertly by the goalie over the bar.

Cappagh prevailed on a scoreline of 2-07 to 0-11 a performance marked by workrate, determination from the 15 players that lined out and despite injuries battled to deliver a semifinal spot.
Well done to the lads.