CORK SFC SEMI-FINAL: Duhallow 0-13 O'Donovan Rossa 0-7:CORK STAR Donncha O'Connor scored five points as Duhallow reached a first county football final since 1998 as they overcame O'Donovan Rossa at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.
The divisional side from the north-west of the county, champions in 1981 and 1990, defended solidly throughout as they frustrated their Skibbereen opponents, who found it difficult to make inroads.
Two fine points from O’Connor were key as Duhallow led by 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time, Rossa having failed to make the most of their chances as they shot some very bad wides, but nevertheless Kevin Davis and Donal Óg Hodnett had some good scores for the West Cork side.
O’Connor and Cork hurler Lorcán McLoughlin extended the Duhallow lead early in the second half and with Aidan Walsh dominating at midfield, the advantage had extended to four points before Jack Cott, Niall O’Sullivan and Lorcán McLoughlin made sure of the outcome.
DUHALLOW:K Murphy (Boherbue); J McLoughlin (Kanturk), P Gayer (Castlemagner), AJ O'Connor (Kiskeam); J Healy (Ballydesmond), K Buckley (Knocknagree), S Murphy (Ballydesmond); B O'Callaghan (do), A Walsh (0-2, Kanturk); D O'Connor (0-5, two frees, Ballydesmond), D Gayer (Castlemagner), M Dilworth (0-2, Knocknagree); T Collins (0-1, Castlemagner), J Cott (0-1, Castlemagner), N Fleming (Ballydesmond). Subs: L McLoughlin (0-2, Kanturk) for Collins (half-time), J Dennehy (Kiskeam) for P Gayer (48 mins), N O'Sullivan (Dromtariffe) for Fleming (55 mins).
O'DONOVAN ROSSA:R Price (0-1, 45); F Crowley, A Tanner, E Nealon; G Minihane (0-1), P Nealon, D Hazel; J O'Sullivan, S Carmody; E Hodnett, D Óg Hodnett (0-2, one free), R Long; K Davis (0-1), C McCarthy, T Hegarty (0-1). Subs: P Gilmore, D Shannon (0-1) for Long, O'Sullivan (40 mins), P Gilmore for A Tanner (43 mins), C Crowley for E Hodnett (50 mins), P Crowley for Carmody (59 mins).
Referee: J Dorgan (Nemo Rangers).
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