Dave Dorgan: 'We kept our discipline and our shape, got through it without taking different decisions'
Picture: Bob Russell Ballinascreen From Rovers Against Action Morrison
Shortly before throw-in with the stand at The Downs GAA Club full, a Russell Rovers conductor stood out in front and lifted his phone. An enormous roar greeted him. The travelling Cork crowd stayed in full voice for the duration of this semi-final as they cruised to a date in Croke Park.
They were always favourites against Ulster junior champions Ballinascreen and a red card after two minutes only exaggerated the gulf. Luke Duggan Murray scored directly from the throw-in and a minute later, goalkeeper Aodhan McCallion for his reaction to a heavy tackle by Brian Harnett. It looked a tad harsh, although referee Caymon Flynn consulted his umpires before delivering the verdict.
Sometimes a red card can be a burden for the opposition. On Saturday that never looked likely.
“It was a risk, wasn’t it? Sometimes you lose your shape and forgot your principles,” said Russell Rovers manager Dave Dorgan.
“I think we kept our discipline and our shape, got through it without taking different decisions. That was good.
“We are thrilled. Semi-finals are there to be won, I know it is a cliché but when you come up here after a long bus journey, you are just hoping you get the right result and get a chance to get to Croke Park. We’re there now.”
Their first half performance was awesome. Former AFL and Cork football star Ciarán Sheehan was an effective focal point, laying on scores and clipping a terrific over-the-shoulder effort. Jack Beausang was accurate with placed balls throughout while Ballinascreen endured difficulties there too. Paul Leane, Fintan Murray, James Kennefick and Ruari Cummins landed great scores from range.
The Dónal Óg Cusack-coached side made the most of a backup goalkeeper and plundered the Derry club’s puckout. Despite the extra man, Russell Rovers elected to flood the middle, content Ballinascreen weren’t going to work it short. Duggan Murray’s first half goal came directly from the restart. He collected near the wing and darted down the middle, eventually firing into the top corner. All of it was impressively comfortable.
“When you are on the inside it looks different,” said Dorgan. “You are hypercritical, the stuff you want to see happening isn’t happening, sometimes you need a bit of perspective. Look they worked hard for the bones of 12 months now to get to this stage and a chance to play in an All-Ireland final.
“That third quarter we wouldn’t be happy with that, but Ballinascreen were always going to push after half time. We weathered that golden period and got a few scores afterwards.”
They travelled in confidence. Confidence doesn’t mean they arrived in Westmeath with any certainty.
“You are confident, but you aren’t sure. Especially when you are travelling four hours, they are the same, you just don’t know how it will play out. We back ourselves no matter who we are playing.”
As the turnaround approached, Eamon Conway went for goal from a free and Eoin McCallion batted in the rebound. It was 1-15 to 1-3 at the break. Ballinascreen hit four of the next five scores to give their support reason to cheer. Any prospect of a true comeback was undermined by a collection of missed frees.
Duggan Murray ensured his club were back on song soon after with a jinking point. Beausang smashed a 21-metre free into the net to stretch the gap.
Easkey of Sligo or St Lachtain's of Kilkenny await in the final next January.
“We get a chance to go into Christmas now looking forward to an All-Ireland final in January,” said Dorgan with a smile. “Who wouldn’t take that?
“We will be doing our bit (of training). We will have to delay Santa.”
: J. Beausang 1-5 (1-3 frees); L. Duggan Murray 1-3; B. Harnett 0-5 (2 free); D. Ruddy 0-3; C. Sheehan, R. Cummins, F. Murray, J. Kennefick, P. Lane, M. O’Dwyer 0-1 each.
: E. Conway 0-6 (5 frees); : E. McCallion 1-1; C. Gough 0-1 s/line; P. Cleary 0-1 free.
R. Walsh; K. O’Brien, P. Lane, J. Kennefick; F. Murray, E. O’Sullivan, D. Moynihan; K. Walsh, R. Cummins; B. Harnett, K. Moynihan, D. Ruddy; L. Duggan Murray, C. Sheehan, J. Beusang.
: S. Walsh for O’Brien (35), M. O’Dwyer for Sheehan (38); J. McGrath for Moynihan (43); C. Aherne for Beasang, S. O’Neill for Duggan Murray (both 54)
: A. McCallion; C. McBride, P. McGlade, A. McBride; C. Gough; J. Conway, C. Doyle; R Scullion, A. Kelly; E. McCallion, P. Cleary, E. Conway; N. Rafferty, M. Bradley, R. McSorley.
D. McDaid for McSorley (3 min); R. McWilliams for Kelly (30 – Inj); R. McSorley for Conway (39); B. Kealey for Bradley (57), J McDaid for Cleary (58).
: C. Flynn (Westmeath).
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