Sean Treacys claim back to back Crosco Cup titles with demolition of Golden Kilfeacle

Bertie’s Bar Crosco Cup Final

Sean Treacys 4-14 

Golden/Kilfeacle 0-15 

John O’Shea at Pairc Ciocaim Dundrum 

The old adage of goals win games certainly held true at Pairc Ciocaim Dundrum in the final of The Berties Bar Crosco Cup, as Sean Treacys put back to back titles for the first time since 1974.

Two goals from Cillian Kennedy in the opening quarter plus one from Darragh Kennedy on twenty-nine minutes set the holders up for a half time lead of ten points, 3.8 to 0.7. When Paddy Carey got through for a fourth, nine minutes after the break, the writing was on the wall for the challengers. 

This was Treacys fifth Crosco Cup victory and they came up against a Golden/Kilfeacle side who were seeking their first title since completing back-to-back in 2004. They controlled the game from early on, with captain Seanie Ryan (Rogers) dictating terms from centre back.

Their forwards were always threatening as they got through for the early goals with ease. Golden’s tactic of playing a sweeper backfired and left their inside forwards with far too much to do.

Andy Byrnes kept them in touch from placed balls during the early stages, but overall, they lacked penetration. For the second half Golden went man on man, with much more success, but the damage was done in the opening thirty minutes. 

Andy Byrnes opened the scoring at the railway end inside the first minute with a good point from play. Two minutes later Paddy Carey equalised, before Cillian Kennedy, with his first touch, gave Treacys the lead, a lead that they would hold until the finish.

Cian O’Connell and Darragh Kennedy traded points before Cillian Kennedy capitalised on a defensive error to blast past Jack Currivan for the game’s opening goal. Two Andy Byrnes converted frees either side of a Jack Leamy point from play cut the deficit to the minimum with eleven minutes on the clock. 

The Treacys inside forward line were causing problems to the Golden defence and Cillian Kennedy got through rather easily for goal number two, shaking off two defenders in the process, on the quarter hour.

Further points followed from Mikey Feehan, Brian and Paddy Carey and a long-range effort from Seanie Ryan (Rogers). Golden’s only reply was a pointed free fro their top scorer, Andy Byrnes, six minutes before the interval. Cillian Kennedy stretched the lead out to eight, before Darragh Kennedy got through for goal number three on twenty-nine minutes.

Andy Byrne closed out the half with his fifth point, three minutes into injury time, leaving the half time score, Sean Treacys 3.8, Golden/Kilfeacle 0.7. 

Both teams introduced substitutes after the break. Golden introduced Aidan Tuohy to the full back line and Gavin Dalton to their attack as they reverted to fifteen on fifteen. Treacys introduced Darragh Carr to midfield and Paddy Dawson to attack. 

Andy Byrnes took up where he left off before the break and pulled one back for Golden four minutes into the half. Treacys replied through Paddy Dawson from play, followed up by a free from Paddy Carey.

On nine minutes Carey won a ball out in the corner at the Station Road side, rounded his man and cut through before beating Jack Currivan with a low shot to the corner. This fourth goal effectively killed the game as a contest. 

Golden didn’t fold as they tried to up the challenge. Andy Byrnes hit two frees in the tenth and fourteenth minute before a piercing run from Jack Bergin opened the defence. He offloaded to Jack Leamy whose goal bound shot was saved by Shane Stapleton in the Treacys goal at the expense of a 65.

This was as near to a goal as Golden came. Paudie Dalton and Paddy Carey traded points before Paddy Dawson, from a free, left the four-goal separating the sides. 

The final two minutes plus three minutes of injury time produced six points, Brian Carey and Paddy Dawson on target for the holders, while Eanna Ormond, Jack Bergin, Andy Byrnes and Jack Leamy all converted from play for a Golden side that never gave up. Final score, Sean Treacys 4.14, Golden/Kilfeacle 0.15. 

Sean Treacys will be happy to win back-to-back titles and early season silverware. They were strong throughout, with their defence containing the Golden forwards. Their attack, as a unit, capitalised on defensive errors early on and build a platform for this victory. 

Golden will be reasonably happy, especially with their second half performance, but will need to tighten up at the back before the championship starts in a few weeks’ time. 

Afterwards West Board chairman, Tommy Hayes, presented the Crosco Cup to winning captain, Seanie Ryan (Rogers) accompanied by Bertie Callinan from the sponsor Berties Bar, Dundrum. 

Scorers & Teams: Sean Treacys: Cillian Kennedy (2.2), Paddy Carey (1.4, 2 frees), Darragh Kennedy (1.1), Paddy Dawson (0.3, 1 free), Brian Carey (0.2), Mikey Feehan (0.1), Seanie Ryan (Rogers) (0.1) 

Golden/Kilfeacle: Andy Byrnes (0.9, 7 frees), Jack Leamy (0.2), Jack Bergin (0.1), Eanna Ormond (0.1), Paudie Dalton (0.1), Cian O’Connell (0.1) 

Sean Treacys: Shane Stapleton, Brendan O’Dwyer, Sean Hickey, Eoin Sheldon, Chris Egan, Seanie Ryan (Rogers) (Captain), Tom Hickey, Paul Nolan, Stevie Carr, Mattie Feehan, Brian Carey, Mikey Feehan, Cillian Kennedy, Paddy Carey, Darragh Kennedy.

Subs used: Paddy Dawson for Mattie Feehan (HT), Darragh Carr for Paul Nolan (HT), Donnacha O’Brien for Stevie Carr (46), Shane Fahy for Chris Egan (50), Emmett Ryan for Paddy Carey (53).

Golden/Kilfeacle: Jack Currivan, Jack Dalton, Cian Ryan, Daithi Bargary, Cian O’Connell, Aidan O’Connell (Captain), Jack Lonergan, Eoin Marnane, Paudie Dalton, Jack Leamy, Andy Byrnes, Aaron Colohan, Jack Bergin, Seanie O’Halloran, Shane Stapleton.

Subs used: Gavin Dalton for Aaron Colohan (HT), Aidan Tuohy for Jack Dalton (HT), Eanna Ormond for Jack Lonergan (40), Tom Byrnes for Shane Stapleton (40), Derry Ormond for Seanie O’Halloran (56).

Referee: Davy Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs)