The O'Donovan Rossa minor footballers recorded a narrow three point victory over Castlehaven on a 3-8 to 0-14 scoreline in their minor A football championship first round clash played in Ardfield last Friday evening. Skibb started the game in whirlwind fashion, getting off to a dream start scoring two goals and a point in the opening ten minutes. Ger Minihane who was outstanding throughout struck an early goal and converted a placed ball before good approach work from Ger Minihane and Paudie Crowley down the left flank released Thomas Hegarty who prodded the leather home from close range. Castlehaven fought back with three successive points but Skibb with Donal ?ìg Hodnett and Ger Minihane dominant at midfield continued to press forward enabling Rob McCarthy to point from a placed ball to extend their lead to five points after an intense first quarter. Castlehaven with inter-county ace Mark Collins now establishing himself as a genuine force at midfield began to gain a stranglehold on proceedings scoring four consecutive points to reduce the deficit to a minimum with half time approaching. Skibb showed their character scoring 1-1 in a devastating two minutes spell. Jonathan Davis kicked a superb long range point before good approach play from Hughie Leonard and Jonathan Davis released full forward David Shannon to emphatically blast the ball to the back of the net from close range. Mark Collins pointed from a free to reduce the arrears to four points at the small interval. Skibb with Liam Swanton adding his considerable physical presence to the Skibb midfield started the second half brightly. Ger Minihane demonstrated his full repeortoire of skills to the large crowd with a point from an acute angle following an electrifying individual run before nonchalantly converting from a 45 to further increase the Skibb lead. Skibb were rattled however when ace full back Richard Hodnett was forced to withdraw following a shoulder injury, bringing a premature end to a fine game from the commanding defender. Castlehaven pilled on the pressure notching four points in quick succession to set up a grandstand finale. Castlehaven were now laying siege to the Skibb goal but this incessant pressure left space for the pacy Rossa forwards to exploit. Ger Minihane and Paudie Crowley struck points following lightning quick counter attacks to leave Castlehaven trailing by four points with six minutes remaining. Mark Collins and Liam Collins swapped points for their respective outfits to maintain the status quo before Darragh Leonard struck a long range point to narrow the gap to three points. Skibb battened down the hatches in a frantic finish to repel wave after wave of Castlehaven pressure to record a famous triumph. Team: Ryan Price, Eoin O'Donovan, Richard Hodnett, Jack O'Driscoll, Paudie Crowley, Shane Crowley, Mark Collins, Donal ?ìg Hodnett, Ger Minihane, Rob McCarthy, Liam Collins, Jonathan Davis, Thomas Hegarty, David Shannon, Hughie Leonard. Subs used: Denis O'Regan for David Shannon, Liam Swanton for Hughie Leonard, Hughie Leonard for Richard Hodnett (injured). This stirring victory sets up an appetising quarter-final clash against Carbery Rangers. This match has been tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 12, in Moneyvolihane, Castlehaven. The junior A hurlers resume championship action next Tuesday evening, September 2 in Ardfield at 6.30pm, when they meet Dohenys in the semi-final stages of the junior hurling championship. Dohenys who overcame stiff resistance from St. Oliver Plunkett's in their quarter-final clash last weekend to set up this potentially engrossing fixture are a good team who possess plenty of proven match winners amidst their ranks. The junior B hurlers who were narrowly defeated by Randal ?ìg in their first round championship encounter have a second bite of the cherry when they meet Clonakilty in a second round fixture fixed for Rossmore next Wedneday evening, September 3, at 6.30pm. The senior footballers will compete in the 2008 O'Neills Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Football seven-a-side tournament on Saturday, Saturday 20. The junior 2 footballers have been drawn against Newcestown in the first round of the junior B championship. There was no winner of the lotto draw which took place in the Fairfield Bar last Monday night for e2,500. The numbers drawn were 4, 15, 20 and 21. The consolation prize winner was Noel and Imelda Kearney. Next week's lotto draw will be held in the Horse and Hound Bar and will have a jackpot of e2,750. John Bohane, Secretary O'Donovan Rossa Tweet

Most Read Stories