O'Regan secures win for Clonakilty

CORK SFC FINAL Clonakilty 1-13 St Finbarr's 1-12:SUPER SUB David O'Regan kicked a magnificent 45-metre free a couple of minutes from the end to hand Clonakilty their ninth Cork senior football title in front of a crowd of over 10,000 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

It was the west Cork club’s first triumph since 1996 and for three-quarters of the game Clonakilty appeared to be coasting to victory. They led 1-12 to 0-7 at one point and seemed well in control.

But, St Finbarr’s, last winners in 1985, fought back courageously, inspired by a goal from another substitute, Jason Sexton, after 46 minutes. They added five points without response, including a superb equaliser from Jim O’Donoghue, only for Clon to come again.

Despite conceding the opening point to Roy Leahy, Clonakilty dominated the first-half, surging 0-5 to 0-1 in front by the 20th minute before captain Timmy Anglin popped up for an opportunist goal. Colm Callanan prevented Michael Shields from clearing and set up Pádraig Griffin, who, in turn, found Anglin close to goal and he finished in style, low to the corner.

That helped his side lead 1-7 to 0-4 at the interval and the pattern remained the same in the second-half as Clon lorded midfield and Conor McManus and Colm Callanan were always a threat in the inside line.

The pair almost combined for a second goal, when Callanan picked out McManus, who had to be content with a point following a fine save by Barr’s goalkeeper Kevin McTiernan. Sexton’s goal almost immediately changed the tie’s complexion and Clonakilty were more than relieved after O’Regan’s dramatic winner.

CLONAKILTY: E Harte; T O'Sullivan, Tony Anglin, D O'Brien; D Murphy (0-1), N Griffin (0-1), N Hayes; S Nagle, T Anglin (1-0), capt; D Lyons, M O'Brien (0-1), C O'Donovan (0-1, a free); P Griffin (0-1), C McManus (0-3), C Callanan (0-3). Subs: D O'Regan (0-1 free) for Hayes (inj 28 mins), H Kenny (0-1) for O'Donovan (36 mins).

ST FINBARR'S: K McTiernan; P Kennedy, M Shields, G O'Connor; C Lyons, J Coyle, M Ryan, capt; E Keane, A O'Shea; C McCarthy, G Leahy (0-1), J O'Donoghue (0-2); R O'Mahony (0-1), R Leahy (0-2, one free), F Murray (0-5, three frees). Subs: R O'Dwyer for Coyle (24 mins), C O'Sullivan (0-1) for O'Shea (39 mins), J Sexton (1-0) for G Leahy (45 mins).

Referee: C Lane (Cork)