Defending champions Arravale Rovers are back in the O’Donoghue Cup final again

By Francis Coughlan at Lattin 

Defending champions Arravale Rovers booked their place in the final of the O’Donoghue Cup as they just edged out neighbours Galtee Rovers in Lattin on Wednesday evening. A repeat of last years final the game was played in glorious conditions. While Eamon Quirke’s goal just after the break gave Galtee Rovers a four-point advantage, Niall Sharpe responded twelve minutes later with a goal at the other end and there was never much between the sides until Eoin Doocey’s late point saw the defending champions set up a final meeting with Rockwell Rovers.

Both sides were cagey at the start of the game with patient builds, working the ball through the hands and recycling possession when the shot wasn’t on. It was thirteen minutes before Cormac Maher kicked the games opening score for Arravale Rovers from a placed ball. A minute later Conal Grogan had the sides level before Darren McGrath kicked Galtee Rovers into the lead after eighteen minutes. Grogan continued his good form with two further points to see Galtee Rovers lead 0-4 to 0-2 after twenty-two minutes. Evan Hawkins played a deep role kept Arravale in touch but despite the best effort of the defending champions, Galtee Rovers still held sway at the interval, 0-5 to 0-4.

Galtee Rovers had a great start to the second half when Eamon Quirke finished a good move to the net in the opening minute. Evan Hawkins and Eoin Doocey kept Arravale in touch before Niall Sharpe forced his way in for goal and despite Robbie Quirke getting a touch, Sharpe found the net to tie the game 1-6 apiece. The sides were level going into injury time. It looked as if Evan Hawkins had won it for Arravale with a pointed free but Eoin Halpin who had been introduced at the break fisted over the equalizer. There was still time for more and in the final attack Eoin Doocey forced his way in to fist over the winner.  

Teams & Scorers:
Arravale Rovers: Evan Hawkins (0-4, (0-2f)), Niall Sharpe (1-0), Cormac Maher (0-2, (0-1f)), Eoin Doocey (0-2), Caleb Hickey (0-1)

Galtee Rovers: Conal Grogan (0-4, (0-2f)), Darren McGrath (0-3), Eamon Quirke (1-0), Eoin Halpin (0-1)

Arravale Rovers: Darren Heuston, Evan Carrie, Conal Donovan, Odhran O’Dwyer, Raymond Kelly, Tommy Lowry, Cian Ryan, Eoin Doocey, Shane Maher, Niall Sharpe, Caleb Hickey, Dan O’Dwyer, Brian Lowry, Evan Hawkins, Cormac Maher
Subs Used: Matthew Moroney, Eoghan Lonergan, Paddy Dalton

Galtee Rovers: Robbie McGrath, Liam Finnane, Sean Gubbins, Evan Kennedy, Stephen O’Dwyer, David Harold Barry, Robbie Byron, Bill Quirke, Shane Power, Jack Crowe, Darren McGrath, Cian O’Dwyer, Tony O’Brien, Eamon Quirke, Conal Grogan
Subs Used: Joe O’Callaghan, Peter Carroll, Eoin Halpin, Jim Quirke 

Referee: Donnacha Horan (Eire Og)