Each month, a match report of an old game from Brian Dillon’s illustrious history will be added to the Series. If there is any game from the past which you would like to see added, please get in touch.
Seandún Division U-21 ‘B’ Football Championship Final (08/04/2007)
Brian Dillons 2-7 Nemo Rangers 0-9
A battling Brian Dillons team had the honour of becoming the first winners of a city division title this year, when they overcame Nemo Rangers in the U21 B Football Championship Final at Ballinlough. They won the prize after a highly competitive hour’s football, which was played in a most sporting manner throughout and the outcome of which was in doubt until the last kick of the game.
Nemo Rangers will look back on this game and wonder what the outcome would have been if they had been able to notch up a few more scores from play throughout the hour. As it was, from the time that Eric O’Sullivan opened the scoring in the third minute, they had to wait until the 59th minute to add another from play and yet, they only trailed by one point as the game moved into injury time.
The game began at a cracking pace, despite the extremely warm conditions, and play swung from end to end with both sets of forwards striving, mostly in vain, to find chinks in their opponents defensive armour. The twin threats of Nemo’s Eric Delurey and his opposite number on the Dillons team Dave O’Leary were quickly identified as their sides dangermen and shut down. This, inevitably, led to low scoring, but Dillons, with fewer opportunities, proved more economical in their finishing. Their opening goal came from centre-forward Niall Fahy who got in behind the Nemo defence to punch a long delivery past Colm Dineen in the 11th minute, and was always going to prove invaluable in the context of such a low scoring game. The half-time whistle came with the scoreline favouring Dillon’s by 1-3 to 0-2.
It was becoming noticeable that the Dillons defenders tired as the game reached the critical final quarter and they began to concede silly frees, which were punished by points from Eric O’Sullivan and Derek Dalton, who brought the gap back to two. Wing-back Mark Walsh lifted the siege when he came forward to point in a rare Dillons attack and this was quickly followed by a Dave O’Leary free which gave his side a four-point breathing space with 10 minutes to go. However, Nemo introduced some fresh legs into the fray and with full-back Barry Hodnett making some surging forays to help his forwards, the pressure on the Dillons rearguard was intense.
Eric O’Sullivan pointed a Nemo free and this was followed by their second score from play when Gary Ryan pointed. The excitement was at fever pitch when Eric O’Sullivan pointed yet another free to leave only one point between the sides as the game entered injury time. But there was still time for another dramatic twist before the end. Dillons came upfield following the kick-out after O’Sullivan’s point but lost the ball and Nemo prepared for one last equalizing attack. However, as a Nemo defender was about to launch a long drive back in the direction of the Dillon’s goal he was dispossessed by Dave O’Leary who caught the whole Nemo backline flat-footed as he raced through to slide the ball past the advancing Colm Dineen.
There was not time even for the kick out, and if this is a forerunner of the drama to be witnessed in Ballinlough for the remainder of the year, patrons will be well pleased.
James Kirby, Danny Murphy, Alan McNabb, Ed Dunphy, Mark Walsh, Danny McCormack, Cian McCarthy, Dave Whelan, Cillian Brosnan, Adam O’Halloran, Niall Fahy, Willy Murphy, Colin O’Sullivan, James Sloane, Dave O’Leary
Seandún Division Junior A Hurling Championship Quarter-Final (08/08/2004)
Brian Dillons 2-9 Mayfield 1-6
Brian Dillons came out on top against their great rivals Mayfield in the City Division Junior A Hurling Championship quarter final replay at Pairc Ui Rinn yesterday afternoon. Thankfully there was no repeat of the fracas which marred a thrilling first match last week. There were scenes of great jubilation and ecstasy by the Brian Dillons players, selectors and supporters alike, as they finally managed to get one over on Mayfield after several years of disappointment. Meanwhile, Mayfield were most gracious in defeat, as they congratulated their opponents on their victory following the final whistle.
In recent years, Brian Dillons have invested a lot of resources growing young players and developing a strong team and it looks as if all that effort has finally reaped its just rewards. Their side showed great character and belief to come through at the second time of asking, having squandered a two goal lead in the opening clash. The game took a long time to spark into life, as both sets of defenses were well on top for the opening three quarters of the match. Few of the forwards managed to make a major impact in the first half, as they were afforded little space and rarely managed to get a clean strike on the sliothar. While some neutral supporters may have bemoaned the lack of fluid open attacking hurling, immense credit must go to both sides tenacious defenses, who fairly hassled their opponents throughout, with a large number of block downs being made.
Dillons’ Stuart Crichton seemed the most effective forward, using his strength and agility to dominate in the air. Crichton managed to set up two of the three frees which John Horgan scored from in the opening half, while also scoring a beautiful point himself. A goal by Denis Buckley helped Mayfield into a halftime lead of 1-2 to 0-4, with Liam Crowley and Daniel Lucey from a 65 scoring the two points. The opening ten minutes of the second half followed much of the same pattern as the first, with defenses once again dominating. John Horgan’s fourth free that brought the game back on level terms was the only score in this period.
The game badly needed someone to inject some life into it, and it was wing back Dan Lucey for the men in red who provided this spark. Having superbly fielded the sliothar in his own half, he raced deep into Dillon’s territory before slotting the ball between the posts from forty-five yards. This score really helped psyche up the crowd and players, but ironically it was Brian Dillons who were set to take advantage as the game opened up. John Horgan equalized immediately with his first point from play, though Ian Looney restored Mayfield’s advantage as the game opened up. John Horgan’s namesake James then took centre stage, as he got the crucial score that swayed the game into Brian Dillons favour. Tony Cooney floated the ball towards the edge of the Mayfield goal before James Horgan caught it and struck the sliothar past the despairing dive of Richard O’Keefe. John Horgan added a further three points to give his side a 1-9 to 1-4 lead with time almost up.
Mayfield were far from finished though, as they notched over points courtesy of Jamie O’Donovan and Brian O’Hanlon. They could well have had a goal but Kenny Cotter, who was solid as a rock in Brian Dillons goal, made a great save from a Maurice Barry shot. With the tense Brian Dillons supporters urging the referee to blow for full time, Tony Cooney managed to put the icing on the cake as he flicked the ball past O’Keefe with virtually the last touch of the game. Their reward for this victory is yet another local derby with Whitechurch.
Brian Dillons will quietly fancy their chances in this Championship, and even if they don’t manage to make it all the way this time, it certainly looks as if they may be a strong force at this level in the years to come.
Kenny Cotter, Dave Daly, Brian Barrett, Derek McDonnell, Tommy Boland (c), Kieran O’Mahony, Marcus McSweeney, Chris Daly, John Horgan (0-8), Donagh McCarthy, Tony Cooney (1-0), James Horgan (1-0), Robbie Doyle, Stuart Crichton (0-1), Philip O’Brien Subs: Cian Crowley, Tom Triggs
Seandún Division Junior A Hurling Championship Quarter-Final (08/04/2007)
Brian Dillons 1-19 Glen Rovers 3-10
What a couple of days it has been for underdogs in the Silversprings Moran Hotel Junior A hurling championship. On Sunday, Mayfield shocked the champions Nemo Rangers and last night, Brian Dillons ousted the championship favourites Glen Rovers in a pulsating quarter-final. Mayfield attracted a huge attendance for this northside derby and they were not disappointed as they were treated to a thriller from start to finish.
Plenty of heroes for Dillons but with the game heading for a Glen victory in the final minute when commanding a two-point lead, Brian Barrett produced one piece of magic to boot the ball to the net as the Dillons supporters went wild. Once again, the ever-reliable John Horgan and the outstanding Cian McCarthy sealed victory with late points as the celebrations began in earnest for the Tank Field outfit.
The Blackpool side were quickest from the blocks despite Dillons racing into a two-point lead after three minutes. Kevin Barry immediately replied with a classy point and Barry Hackett punished inept defending to drill a ball to the net from close range. In the 11th minute, the Glen led 1-5 to 0-3 with the game running away from their opponents but suddenly Dillon’s responded to the wake-up call, as the Blackpool side were held scoreless for 19 minutes. John Horgan punished the Glen with accurate free-taking and his midfield partner Cian McCarthy was simply awesome. It was no surprise that Dillons commanded a 0-11 to 1-6 interval lead and Horgan gave them the perfect start with his fifth point. Dillons defence were further exposed in the 38 minute as Glendon Hackett billowed the back of the net.
The Glen, known for their spirit, were evenly matched by their opponents but when Barry Corcoran flicked home a goal with 10 minutes remaining it was advantage back to the Glen with a three-point lead. No doubt it was the will to win that kept Dillons in this game and Barrett’s goal set up this incredible win against the odds. For the Dillons coach Jamesie Corcoran and advisor Teddy McCarthy, it was mission accomplished.
John O’Herlihy, Tommy Boland, Derek McDonnell, Darragh Brosnan, Danny McCormick, Mossy Carey, Danny Murphy, Cian McCarthy (0-4), John Horgan (0-9), Tomás Lawrence (0-2), Edward Hussey, Dan Kiely, Phil O’Brien (0-1), Brian Barrett (1-2), Mark Buckley Subs: Tom Triggs (0-1), Michael Colohan
Cork City Minor A Hurling Championship (28/07/1984)
Brian Dillons 2-7 Na Piarsaigh 1-6
Brian Dillons wrote themselves into the history books with a sensational, emotion-charged victory over hotly-tipped Na Piarsaigh at Ballinlough on Saturday evening to win the Cork City minor hurling A championship for the first time. Tears of joy flowed freely at the end of a thrilling, hard-fought game which Brian Dillons did extremely well to win.
Level at the interval, they called upon the vast reserves of spirit to counteract a Na Piarsaigh side which at one stage of the second period looked capable of romping to the easiest of victories. But such is championship hurling, that they did not. Unable to convert a marked superiority into scores, they will look back with deep regret on the number of point chances they created but missed, while Brian Dillons can also pay a big tribute to goalkeeper Kieran O’Neill who brought off three excellent saves during Na Piarsaigh’s dominant spell.
Yet, it was not so much frustration which brought about the favourite’s downfall. Rather was it that Brian Dillons found new confidence having survived all the pressure. The sides were still level, each having scored a second-half point when Na Piarsaigh were stunned by Brian Dillons opening goal after 13 minutes, which came via a deflection off the stick of Brian Allen as a Kenny Cotter shot rocketed goalwards.
That goal sparked the winners into renewed battle and while Declan Daly narrowed the gap with a point, Cotter replied with a point before substitute Michael Keohane struck for a superb second goal and Brian Dillons rode out the last ten minutes with only the loss of two points.
Kieran O’Neill, Kieran O’Mahony, Martin Desmond, Paul Twohig, Colm Marshall, Richie Walsh (0-3), Brendan Deane, Kenny Cotter (0-2), Jim Deane, Martin O’Regan, Teddy McCarthy, Fachtna O’Mahony (0-2), Gerry Jeffers, Bryan Allen (1-0), Richie Dineen. Subs: Mick Keohane (1-0), Colm Deane
Seandún Division Junior A Football Championship Final (17/09/1998)
Brian Dillons 1-8 Nemo Rangers 0-6
Brian Dillons regained the Cork City divisional junior football championship after a seven-year lapse when they had five points to spare over Nemo Rangers at Ballinlough yesterday morning.
The greasy conditions militated against good football, but credit to both sides for serving up a close encounter that hung in the balance until the closing five minutes when Brian Dillons struck for home with the match winning scores. Nemo enjoyed the lions share of the play in the opening half, but they completely over did the short passing and could make no great headway against a hard tackling Dillons defence in which Kieran O’Mahony, Paul Attridge and John Crowley were superb. Ephie Fitzgerald opened the scoring for Nemo in the sixth minute when he took full advantage of a short clearance by the Dillons defence.
The sides were level a minute later through Paul Triggs before Dillons showed their class three minutes later. A marvellous three man passing movement cut the Nemo defence wide open and the impressive Maurice Carey gave Don Bevan no chance with a powerful shot to the net. That goal finally settled the Dillons nerves and Carey might have had a second goal following another great move, but his effort thundered off the Nemo crossbar.
Dillons finished the half in total control and points by Paul Triggs and Paul O’Brien gave them a deserved interval lead of 1-5 to 0-4. Dillons increased their lead with a great point from Carey seconds after the restart but then appeared to be content to defend that five-point lead as Nemo took over. Peter Noonan gave them a firm grip at midfield but some dreadful finishing cost them at least four points before Dillons responded to the danger.
It took a great save from Don Bevans to deny Paul Triggs a goal in the 45th minute before Tom Fitzgerald eased the pressure with the best score of the game. That score knocked the heart out of Nemo and as they did in the closing minutes of the first half, Dillons finished the second half with a brace of points to claim their first title since 1991.
Bryan Allen, Derek Whelan, Paul Attridge, Kieran O’Mahony, Alan Whelan, John Crowley (0-1), Donagh McCarthy (0-1), Tom Fitzgerald (0-1), Brendan Deane (captain), James Horgan, Richie O’Callaghan (0-1), Paul Triggs (0-2), Kenny Cotter, Paul O’Brien (0-1), Maurice Carey (1-1)
Junior A Camogie Championship Final (22/10/2012)
Brian Dillons 1-8 Enniskeane 1-6
Brian Dillons showed nerves of steel to claim their first county title since 2006. The replay was a cracker, point for point for much of the game before player of the match Therese Drummond steered Dillons to victory. Enniskeane looked dangerous all through and were desperately unlucky not to win this one but in the final ten minutes, Susan-Kate Brosnan was imperious. The current Miss Cork covered every inch of the field, repeatedly bursting out of the Dillon’s defence with the ball. Enniskeane, playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the first half, opened their account with an Orla Cronin free but Dillons then settled into the game.
Donna Carroll, a threat all through, sent a screamer to the roof of the Enniskeane net with 14 minutes on the clock and a point from Jane Dooley cemented the lead. Carroll ran Enniskeane ragged in the first half but it was grit in the second half that got Dillons over the line. Enniskeane didn’t do enough with the wind but used the ball cleverly when in possession and corner-forward Sinead Hennessy turned the game on its head when she hit 1-1 in as many minutes for Enniskeane to give them a 1-3 to 1-2 half-time lead.
The second half was a nail-biter, Enniskeane coming closest to getting the crucial goal but somehow Brian Dillons goalkeeper Saoirse Rodgers kept out Orla Coughlan’s effort late in the game. Coughlan was odds on to handpass the ball beyond Rodgers but the Dillons girls bottled her up and Orla Cronin pointed the resulting ’45.
Therese Drummond was a class apart in the second-half, her monstruous free and point from the middle of the park giving Dillons the impetus but still Enniskeane stayed in touch. Sinead Curtin battled hard at midfield, Mary Ann Hayes was a rock at full-back and Katie Buttimer hit a crucial point. Dillons though, had excellent performers in full-back Anthea O’Brien, Ruth Brosnan and twins Claire and Jane Dooley, their work-rate key to Dillons success.
Saoirse Rodgers, Sarah Cotter, Anthea O’Brien, Sinead Ring, Ruth Brosnan, Amanda Dorgan, Orlaith Ní Shuilleabhain, Susan Kate Brosnan, Deirdre Ring, Claire Dooley, Therese Drummond (0-6), Jane Dooley (0-2), Rebecca O’Mahony, Caoimhe Rodgers, Donna Carroll (1-0): Subs – Emer Keane
