A second half surge saw Urhan Junior B’s seal the win away at the tremendous Rosscarbery facilities in the Carbery-Beara Junior C League.
The game opened with a tentative start where a heavy mist shrouded the pitch. This made for a very slick surface resulting in many early turnovers on both sides. Both teams eventually settled to show good purpose. The home side were first to register a score 6 minutes in after some initial wides but Urhan soon responded through Micheál O’ Neill after 9 minutes. Urhan then edged ahead with a big strike from distance by midfielder, John Paul Sheehan.
Carbery Rangers were attacking well now with a display that showed much more promise than the league position they held suggests. The Urhan defence worked resiliently though with a commanding display from full-back by Captain PJ Cadogan throughout aided greatly by a composed Aidan O’ Neill. The pressure eventually began to show and some good free taking allowed Carbery to push into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead, the latter point cannoning dangerously off the crossbar of Diarmuid O’ Sullivan.
Carbery Rangers now grew in confidence establishing a firm foothold around the middle. Another shot cannoned on the 27min again off the Urhan crossbar and back into the danger zone. This was quickly met by an attackers boot but well blocked on the line by the Urhan defence however despite this a further rebound assault led to a green flag for the home team. At the change of ends Carbery Rangers led well with a 1-4 to 0-2 advantage.
Urhan needed to start well in the second period and leaders needed to emerge in advanced areas where a little bit of direction and purpose had been lacking. The call was immediately answered by David McCarthy on the restart, who had moved to midfield early in the first half, as he gained possession from the throw in and converted with a no nonsense long range kick. Now there was just a goal in it with a good contest in prospect.
Carbery registered the next score with a point to try and ensure no momentum was gain by Urhan. In spite of this on the next Urhan attack a somewhat fortuitous goal was registered. Urhan advanced well and Kieran O’ Neill found himself on the end of the move, close to goal and what seemed like an under hit effort at a point ended in the net, 1-3 to 1-5 now.
From the resultant kick out Urhan again won possession and David McCarthy, buoyed by his opener, assumed responsibility with a further long range attempt. It didn’t quite have the distance but dangerously dropped in around the keeper. In the greasy conditions the ball slid through he hands and Urhan now had the momentous they needed. Finbarr Dwyer added another point to open his account after good battling from wing forward, Sean Dwyer, making it a quick 7 point turn around.
Rangers though continued to work and pulled a point back as Diarmuid O’ Sullivan was required to push the ball over with 38 minutes on the watch. Urhan, though, raised another green flag as a dangerous ball again dropped into the goal mouth, the loose ball fell kindly to Micheál O’ Neill and, with the keeper tied up in the scramble, he coolly finished. Urhan added a further three points in as many minutes after this through David McCarthy after terrific vision by Kevin Harrington, followed by one each by Finbarr Dwyer and substitute Martin O’ Neill. This gave the visitors a commanding 2-1 lead now after confident play in the middle third, 3-7 to 1-6.
Carbery Rangers continued to attack and reasserted some of the first half dominance. Two more frees were registered by Carbery Rangers in the remaining 10 minutes before the long whistle with Urhan holding firm in defence, never allowing their keeper to be exposed. Final score Urhan 3-7 Carbery Rangers 1-8 in a good open game.
Subs: Martin O’ Neill for Kieran O’ Neill, JJ Hartnett for Sean Dwyer, Gary Harrington for Kevin Harrington, Florry Harrington for Micheál O’ Neill.
