Cox the hero as Rosemount prevail over neighbours

Rosemount 1-15 Ballymore 2-6

Matthew Cox's late goal was the clincher as Rosemount reignited their championship hopes with this fully deserved victory over neighbours Ballymore in Tang last Friday night.

Rosemount's final tally of 16 scores to their opponents' eight is a telling statistic from this entertaining contest, but Ballymore's two first-half goals had helped them into a 2-4 to 0-8 lead at half-time.

Having already lost two games, Rosemount’s need for victory was greater and they duly moved up a gear in the second half, during which they scored 1-7 and restricted Ballymore to a mere two points.

The fact that Sean Pettit, so often Rosemount's chief scoring threat, was missing with a knee injury made the win all the more laudable. Indeed, nine different Rosemount players made the scoresheet which will please Des Collins and his management team.

For Ballymore, all is far from lost as they went into this encounter with two wins under their belts, but they will be concerned at the way scores dried up in the second half.

In truth, Ballymore's two goals were very preventable from Rosemount's perspective. Points from David Tone (a fisted effort after David O'Reilly's free came back off the post) and O'Reilly gave Rosemount an early lead, before Ballymore struck for their first goal (fourth minute).

The men in green and gold exploited a Rosemount turnover as some slick play by Sam Maxwell and Owen McCabe created a goal chance for Sean McCabe. The latter seemed to lose control of the ball under pressure (and was possibly fouled for what would have been a penalty), but the ball ended up going over the line. The closest umpire was swift in raising the green flag to quell any uncertainty among supporters in the stand.

Boosted by the goal, Ballymore followed up with a point when Ben Maxwell blasted a loose ball over the bar. Although Rosemount responded with points from Declan Mullen (a free) and Plunkett Maxwell (a fine score from a tricky angle), they were rocked again by Ballymore's second goal (14th minute).

This time Brian Finerty's high delivery from a free was not dealt with by the Rosemount rearguard, allowing Owen McCabe to flick the ball to the net, despite some suspicion of a possible 'square ball'.

Rosemount reduced the deficit with points from the energetic Matthew Cox and Mullen (free), only for Ballymore to respond through influential midfielder John Gilligan (a superb score from long range) and Brian Finerty.

Though wearing number 3, Rosemount's Adam Keane operated in a more advanced role and he used his pace to good effect throughout. Near the end of the first half, he earned a free which O'Reilly pointed and Tone (despite being a pre-match doubt) then added his second point.

In stoppage time, Ben Maxwell showed a swift turn of pace before sweeping the ball over with aplomb, giving Karl Dermody's charges that two-point lead at half-time.

Within moments of the restart, O'Reilly showed Rosemount's intent by sending over a point with conviction. Then pressure from the eventual winners forced a free-in, which O'Reilly pointed and the sides were now level.

On 36 minutes, Keane put Rosemount ahead after playing a one-two with his cousin Darragh Healy, but Sam Maxwell's splendid point was a needed riposte from Ballymore. A huge fetch at midfield by O'Reilly lifted Rosemount spirits and substitute Ben Cox, who added zest to their attack, soon put them back in front.

Gilligan's second point following a neat dummy hinted that Ballymore would not go down easily, but this 42nd-minute point actually proved their last score. As Rosemount regained control, scores from Padraig Geoghegan and Padraig Nestor gave them a two-point cushion.

The loudest cheer of the night came when, following Keane's perceptive pass, Matthew Cox instinctively flicked the ball over advancing Ballymore goalie Conor McNeill and into the net. It was the score that removed any remaining doubt about the outcome.

Plunkett Maxwell's second point completed the scoring and Ballymore finished with 14 men, Eoin Ryan receiving his marching orders due to a black card shortly after a yellow.

Scorers - Rosemount: M Cox 1-1; D O'Reilly 0-4 (2f); P Maxwell, D Tone and D Mullen (2f) 0-2 each; A Keane, P Nestor, P Geoghegan and B Cox 0-1 each. Ballymore: D McCabe and O McCabe 1-0 each; B Maxwell and J Gilligan 0-2 each; B Finerty and S Maxwell 0-1 each.

Rosemount: Eoin Carberry; Ben O'Brien, Adam Keane, Luke Kelly; Padraig Nestor, Darragh Healy, Lorcan Daly; Andy McCormack, David O'Reilly; Plunkett Maxwell, Matthew Cox, Padraig Geoghegan; David Tone, Declan Mullen, Cathal Daly. Subs used: Ben Cox for Tone (33 mins); Liam Maxwell for Geoghegan (58).

Ballymore: Conor McNeill; Daniel Ennis, Sean Keena, Jack Kearney; Darragh Monaghan, Brian McCabe, Eoin Ryan; John Gilligan, Sam Maxwell; Owen McCabe, Sean McCabe, Brian Finerty; Luke Power, Ben Maxwell, Barry McDermott. Subs used: Derek Molloy for S McCabe (40 mins); David Jelistratovs for Power (53).

Referee: Enda Kelly (Castledaly).