February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Derry have been a team on a mission this season, going undefeated and even annexing the SFB Knockout earlier in the year. But this was the big prize and Derry’s season would be judged a success or a failure on these 70 minutes.
Cork entered this final at a disadvantage, minus the services of several key players including CJ Doherty, arguably their best player, and dangerous forwards Eoin Coveney and Eamon Collins.
The Rebels were defiant at the outset and in a replay of their close semi-final win versus Meath, Derry were slow to start. Tadgh Foley opened the scoring with a 55-yard free for a point and Tadgh Collis followed with a 40-yard free for a two-point Cork lead.
Cork were benefiting from good play from midfielder Tom Moylan, who was sparking Cork’s attack by breaking the ball in the midfield. Paudric Duffy opened Derry’s account with a fine point after seven minutes. Duffy pointed again in the 13th minute, this time from a free, and Derry were level.
Derry were beginning to realize that there was a final to be won and led by their dynamic wingback Cathal McKeever, they began to assert themselves. The rangy McKeever was popping up wherever the ball was, snuffing out Cork attacks and launching Derry forward with searing runs and pinpoint passes. The talented McKeever has become one of those players that opponents grow to hate, but would love to have on their side.
The main reason McKeever gets under their skin is his dramatic and acrobatic flops to the sod when he is fouled, and sometimes when he isn’t. By the time the first half was over, Derry had taken control of this final with that 0-6 run.
Cork opened the second half in determined fashion with two good pointed frees from veteran Edmund Cleary. But hopes for a Cork revival were illusory as Derry soon reminded everyone just how good perfect looks.
Midfielder Darren Pettit was in the middle of the action with three good Derry points, but he wasn’t alone. The Talismanic McKeever never let up. Brendan O’Donoghue, Paudric Duffy,Ruari O’Neill, Paul Mulhern, Chris Collins Tom Harkin, and captain Stephen Keating all stood out as Derry left Cork demoralized on the way to the championship.
Derry’s rise to the Senior A division has been a remarkable one when you consider that they only formed in 2000 and have risen to New York’s top division in only five seasons.
Man of the Match: Cathal McKeever.
Derry: Martin O’Connor, Joe Bell, Tom Harkin, Sean Carney, Cathal McKeever, Chris Collins (0-1), Steve Keating, Rory O’Neill, Darren Pettit (0-3), Rory McCluskey, Brendan O’Donoghue (0-2), Conor Downey (0-2, 1 fr), Paudric Duffy (0-7, 4 fr), Brian O’Connor, Paul Mulhern Subs: Barry O’Neill, Liam Farrell (0-1), Ryan O’Kane, Noel McGovern, Cormac McIntyre.
Cork: Brian McGonigle, Enda Lally, Paddy Harrington, Con Breen, Robert Conlon, Liam Hanley, Brendan Wiley, Tadgh Healy, Tom Moylan, Michael McCarthy (0-1), Tadgh Collins (0-1, fr), Tadgh Foley (0-1), Edmund Cleary (0-3, 3 fr), Tom Giltenane, Stephen O’Shea.
Referee: Tom Fahey.