With two minutes of injury time played and Dicksboro two points up, it turned into sheer heartache when a free from 50 yards out for Ballymartle dropped into the corner of the ’Boro net to give the Cork side the AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club title by a one-point margin.
It was a devastating end to an excellent game played under ideal weather conditions at Croke Park on Sunday last.
With Ballymartle starting the game in electric fashion and six points up within the first six minutes, it took a very brave performance from the ’Boro during the remainder of the first half to claw back the lead. By half-time the Cork side were just one point in front — 0-10 to 0-9. During the half the Ballymartle ’keeper brought off a good save from a Shane Maher penalty after Paul O'Flynn had been fouled in the square. This was followed shortly afterwards by another fine save when Adrian Stapleton's shot looked destined to hit the back of the net.
The Cork side started the second half as they did the first and tacked on another 1-1 within the first two minutes of the restart. Up stepped Dicksboro again and by the 35th minutes were back on level terms — Ballymartle 1-11, Dicksboro 0-14.
When Adrian Stapleton, having received a good pass from Derek O'Gorman, rattled the Ballymartle net for a goal in the 46th minute it pushed the ’Boro 1-17 to 1-13 in front. Ballymartle were not to be outdone and hit back with a goal, when a long range free found its way to the ’Boro net. By the 60th minute, with Martin Gaffney adding three ’Boro points (two from play and 1 free ) with a reply of two points for Ballymartle — ’Boro 1-20, Ballymartle 2-15 — it looked as if Dicksboro were about to claim their second All-Ireland Intermediate Club title. However, that late goal saw the title going the Cork sides way.
Scorers -- Ballymartle: B Dwyer 1-7 (3f, 2 '65's ), D McCarthy 1-2, R Dwyer 1-0, D Edmonds, J Dwyer 0-2 each, D Kelly, D Dwyer 0-1 each. Dicksboro: M Gaffney 0-12 (8f ), A Stapleton 1-2, P O'Flynn 0-4, S Maher, C O'Loughlin 0-1 each.
Ballymartle -- D McCarthy; D Coleman, M Tobin, B Dwyer; J Kelly, P Dwyer, N Sheehan; S Corry, G Webb; B Dwyer, R Dwyer, D Edmonds; D McCarthy, D Dwyer, J Dwyer. Subs: B Coleman for Sheehan (48 ), C Coleman for Dwyer (32 ).
Dicksboro -- S Morrissey; D Glynn, K Cuddihy, P Hogan; M Fagan, D Kenny, E Malone; D O'Gorman, C O'Loughlin; P O'Flynn, M Gaffney, O Walsh; C Starr, S Maher, A Stapleton. Subs: K Nolan for O'Gorman (54 ).
Referee -- A Kelly (Galway ).
