Matthew Bradley fires late winner to give Muskerry winning start in Cork Premier SHC Divisional/Colleges
It was lucky 13 for Matthew Bradley as he fired the late winner for Muskerry against Duhallow in the opening phase of the Co-op SuperStores Cork Premier SHC divisional section at Coachford on Tuesday night.
After Duhallow had battled back to wipe out a four-point gap as the game ticked into injury time, Aghabullogue man Bradley replied with his 12th point of the night only for Cian Crowley to set up Brandon Murphy for another Duhallow leveller.
There was still time for more, however, and when Muskerry won a free at midfield, Bradley converted to give Muskerry the points.
While the mid-Cork divisional side – finalists in the divisions and colleges segment of the competition last year, losing to Imokilly – were picking from a reduced pool and had not had any time together, victory sets them up nice for the round-robin section, with a clash against Carbery next.
For much of the first half, they were in control, with Bradley to the fore as they amassed an 0-8 to 0-3 lead that was augmented as Matt Brady's delivery was kept in by James Foley, who then drove goalwards along the endline before finishing well.
With seven minutes left until half-time, they were up 1-10 to 0-5 but early Duhallow sub Evan Murphy pointed and then linked with Jack Murphy to set up Luke Philpott for a fine goal.
By half-time, Duhallow were within three, 1-12 to 1-9, despite having had eight wides in the first half to their opponents' two, and they pushed on further on the restart.
Excellent free-taking from Fionn O'Connor saw them reel Muskerry in and then push ahead, with Brandon Murphy's excellent point making it 1-15 to 1-13 on 42.
While O'Connor answered a James Lane point for Muskerry, Duhallow would then endure a ten-minute scoreless spell as Muskerry settled again, with Bradley, Mark Lucey and Foley helping them to regain the upper hand.
They looked safe when David Casey made it 1-21 to 1-17 in the 58th minute, but, after an O'Connor goal attempt from a free was saved, Cian Crowley's follow-up was brilliantly touched over by Muskerry goalkeeper James Walsh. Then, Rory Lynn managed to claim possession after a scramble in the Muskerry goalmouth and fired home to level.
Muskerry kept their heads, however, and Bradley was on hand to be their match-winner.
Scorers for Muskerry: M Bradley (0-13, 7f), J Foley (1-2), J Lane, O O'Driscoll (0-2 each), M Lucey, D Twomey, D Casey, J Devine (0-1 each).
Scorers for Duhallow: F O'Connor (0-7, 6f), R Lynn, L Philpott (1f) (1-1 each), C King (0-3), E Murphy, B Murphy 0-2 each, C Crowley, C O'Keeffe, S Howard (0-1 each).
MUSKERRY: J Walsh (Grenagh); P Fitton (Ballinora), M Brady (Éire Óg), P O'Sullivan (Aghabullogue); J Galvin (Éire Óg), C McGoldrick (Éire Óg), W Ahern (Cloughduv); O O'Driscoll (Cloughduv), M O'Connell (Dripsey); D Twomey (Grenagh), J Foley (Aghabullogue), J Devine (Cloughduv), M Bradley (Aghabullogue), J Lane (Aghabullogue), A Dinan (Donoughmore).
Subs: M Lucey (Donoughmore) for Dinan (36), B Horgan (Kilmichael) for O'Sullivn (46), D Casey (Éire Óg) for Twomey (49), C Cotter (Kilmichael) for Devine (51), M O'Sullivan (Dripsey) for Ahern (58).
DUHALLOW: B Newman (Newmarket); A Coughlan (Banteer), C O'Callaghan (Dromtariffe), R Heffernan (Kilbrin); B Linehan (Meelin), J Murphy (Dromtariffe), C Curtin (Meein); S Howard (Dromtariffe), F O'Connor (Kilbrin); C O'Keeffe (Newmarket), R King (Kilbrin), C King (Kilbrin); B Murphy (Dromtariffe), L Philpott (Banteer), R Lynn (Newmarket).
Subs: E Murphy (Dromtariffe) for Curtin (9, injured), C Crowley (Newmarket) for Philpott (49), J Harrington (Kilbrin) for E Murphy, R O'Connell (Banteer) for Linehan (both 57).
Referee: D Twomey (Shanballymore).
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