Harbour Rovers (Glanworth) will feel this was the one that got away. But massive credit to Nemo for plugging away and not giving in. Glanworth looked to be the better hurlers for most of the hour but that doesn't mean anything when you don't come home with the cup.
When the Nemo player got sent off for a stupid slap on the cheek to a Glanworth player, on the 45th minute, the North Cork side were up 3 points and the game's intensity died a bit. There was almost a sense that the game was over. But Nemo kept battling away and found themselves only 2 points behind going into injury time. Then they got the all important goal in the 61st minute. They went into the lead for the first time in the whole game late on.
When Glanworth found themselves up a man, they dropped intensity and lost their shape. Losing their shape meant that they no longer were utilising the advantage of having the extra man. Nemo won the battle in the middle third hands down in the 2nd half. I thought their number 5, Billy O' Neill, particularly had a good game in that middle third. Mark Cronin and Kevin O' Donovan showed their experience too. Up front, it was Shane Horgan who was the star of the show. 10 points, 8 frees, 2 from play, no wide. James Masters was superb in goals too. Two excellent saves. His striking and distribution was top notch too on the day. 41 years of age and still winning counties for the Black and Green.
For Glanworth, the only 2 lads who I felt played well on the day and kept the fight going in the 2nd half was stalwarts Dave Pyne and Seán Finn. Young Jamie Fogarty was very good at corner back too. Stevie Condon was excellent in the 1st half but was snuffed out in the 2nd half. They need him firing if they want to win.
Again, well done to Nemo! They were full value for their victory in the end going by their 2nd half performance. The experience of the big occasion didn't phase them, never panicked and their fitness shone through too. I hope this spurs on the hurling in the club now as the potential must be there to go up the grades if they invest more into the small ball. A great club it must be said.
Glanworth will have to lick their wounds and go back to an ultra competitive Avondhu Junior A championship next year. There will be no guarantee they will get an opportunity like that again to win a county.
