Sunday last Fermoy faced off against Inniscarra in the U21 A County Hurling Final in Pairc Ui Rinn ahead of the Junior A Final. This was Fermoys first time back at the top of the pile in quite a while with a very young team spear pointed with experience in Eric Delaney and Shane Aherne. Lads such as Sean McCarthy, Luke Aherne and Shane O’Keeffe, coming off the back of an outstanding Minor year, were determined to make their mark on the U21 grade for the next few years to come. Unfortunately, Sunday wasn’t to be for the lads, as Inniscarra were just too strong on the day. The Muskerry side were well balanced and even after going down to 14 men early in the game protected their lead through-out.

Ger Scully took control of the game that went off well for the most but was called into action early on when a scuffle on the sideline lead to a stamp from the Inniscarra midfielder on Ronan Morrison deemed to be a Red card offence. Inniscarra had to rally around early and through a strong half forward line shot themselves into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead on the 20th minute. Eric Delaney was to one keeping Fermoy in the scoring with well taken frees. Shane O’Keeffe then got the first Fermoy score from play on the 29th minute but at the half Inniscarra were leading by 0-9 to 0-5 while Fermoy had the wind. In the opening half Fermoys forwards were just staved of scoring opportunities and lacked a small bit of luck in the end move. Dale Dawson Trough-out the half covered untold amounts of ground and continued to do so in the second half.

With two changes at the half, Adam Creed and Danny O’Flynn saw their way into the forwards where Creed looked dangerous when in control. Conor Barry and James Malloy had to make way but should also be commended for their outstanding performances leading up to and including the final. Fermoy caught a break right from the off when the fullback fouled Shane Aherne and Eric Delaney placed the ball beyond the keeper from the spot. 1-5 to 0-9 from the opening play in the second half. Inniscarra thene cancelled out the goal with 2 points in the space of 8 minutes where it looked like either team where about to grab what was there to be won. Up until this point John Wales in goal, did an outstanding job with saves and catches that can be sometimes hard to deal with. Inniscarra then found the net with a high ball left into the square and the corner forward rose highest to flick the ball on course into the net. With 40 minutes gone in the game the score stood at 1-11 to 1-7 in favour of the Muskerry side. Hoping that Inniscarra would tire, Fermoy tried to leave quick ball into the inside line and Shane O’Keeffe came closest when the Inniscarra keeper stopped a good shot and even managed to bring it down the field where they got a point of their own. Chasing the game, Fermoy began to lose steam and the relentless Inniscarra lads never gave an inch, driving and defending out every move. With Eric being the scoring force in the opening half but slowing down in the second half David O’Callaghan was introduced to play his part in trying to upset the Inniscarra defence for the final 10 minutes. In credit to the Inniscarra side, their forwards were well drilled and kept players like Jack Scannell, Morrison and Greg Lardner busy and even managed to up a gear coming into the home stretch of the game putting clear light between the teams. Dawson, David Lardner and Seanie McCarthy showed the never say die attitude right till the end as did every one of the Fermoy panel throughout the year. Inniscarra finished strongest with a winning margin of 7 points with an eventual scoreboard of 1-18 to 1-11.

The team lines out as follows:J Wales, L Aherne, R O’Sullivan, J Scannell, J Malloy, G Lardner, R Morrison, S McCarthy, N Collins, D Lardner, D Dawson, C Barry, E Delaney, S Aherne (Capt) and S O’Keeffe. J Shanahan, D O’Fylnn, A Creed, D O’Callaghan, C Hurley, JJ Hickey, C O’Carroll, C Frawley, R Sargent, E Lacey, G Mahon, G Morrison and J Gallagher.  

On behalf of myself and the management involved this year we would like to thank every single one of the lads that gave it their full commitment this year and were rewarded with a North Cork title but not only that but proving that we are capable of competing at the business end of the U21 Championship. With the older lads that will be overage next year such as Shane Aherne, our captain, Cian O’Carroll, Daniel O’Flynn, Eric Delaney, Conor Barry, Gary Mahon, Eoin Lacey, and Garvin Morrison moving on through into the adult end of the club, we hope that they continue to hurl for the club in the coming years aiding to reach the ultimate goal of becoming Senior and compete at high Junior and even Intermediate standards. I’m already looking forward to the coming U21 year to see if this bunch of lads can better themselves again defending and winning the U21 A championship for the years to come.