Dowling double sends Camross into ACHL Division 1 final at the expense of Borris-Kilcotton

Camross will face The Harps in this year’s ACHL Division 1 final after Mark Dowling’s second goal of the evening proved decisive in Monday’s thrilling semi-final in Knockaroo.

The game had originally been fixed for Friday evening, but was postponed following the passing of Robbie Phelan.

Played in glorious sunshine and near-perfect conditions, the large attendance was treated to an entertaining encounter in which Camross’ ability to strike for goals at crucial stages ultimately proved the difference.

Dan Delaney opened the scoring after just 30 seconds, but Stephen Dunphy replied immediately for the home side. Mossy Keyes restored Camross’ advantage before PJ Scully landed a fine sideline cut to level matters with less than two minutes played.

Eoghan Cuddy and Keyes edged Camross back in front before Jer Quinlan reduced the deficit for Borris-Kilcotton. Camross then enjoyed their first purple patch with James Cuddy, Eoin Gaughan and Keyes all finding the target to move four clear. Gaughan’s score came from a free inside his own half, while Keyes’ 65 followed excellent work by James Cuddy and Mark Dowling, whose goalbound effort was brilliantly denied by a combination of Steven Finan and Eoin Fleming.

Delaney continued to impress, adding two excellent points, while Quinlan and Scully kept Borris-Kilcotton in touch. Delaney’s fourth score of the evening left Camross leading by five, 0-10 to 0-5, after 18 minutes.

Neil Foyle and Aaron Dunphy narrowed the gap before Dowling pointed after a superb puckout from Tadhg Doran. Borris-Kilcotton then drew level when Eoin Fitzpatrick fed Joe Campion, whose low effort beat Doran to the net.

Camross responded in the perfect manner. Eoin Gaughan burst through the defence before picking out James Cuddy, who rifled the sliotar under the advancing Fleming to restore his side’s advantage.

Scully registered Borris-Kilcotton’s final score of the half, but Camross finished strongly. Dowling, Gaughan and Keyes all pointed to leave the visitors 1-14 to 1-9 ahead at the interval.

Borris-Kilcotton came flying out after the restart, with Scully, Fitzpatrick and Niall Coss all on target inside 90 seconds to reduce the deficit to two points. However, Camross hit back in emphatic fashion. Keyes combined brilliantly with Dowling and the corner-forward blasted home his first goal of the evening.

Foyle and Aaron Dunphy replied with points to leave a goal between the sides once more. Camross almost had another goal when Keyes was fouled as he bore down on goal. James Cuddy’s effort was saved, but referee John Lalor brought play back and Keyes converted the resultant free. Moments later, Keyes was desperately unlucky when his shot struck the butt of the post and bounced clear.

Borris-Kilcotton then enjoyed their best spell of the game and briefly edged in front after scoring 1-2 without reply. Scully landed his second sideline cut and Quinlan added another point before their second goal arrived. A long delivery was brilliantly gathered by Eoghain Coss, who slipped a clever handpass to Stephen Dunphy and he in turn found Scully at the back post, who made no mistake from close range.

Once again, Camross responded superbly. Ciaran Collier opened the scoring in the move before Keyes saw an effort saved over the bar by Fleming. From the resulting play, Dowling produced the decisive moment, flicking the ball over a defender before unleashing an unstoppable shot to the net for his second goal.

Scully’s third sideline cut of the evening left the score 3-17 to 2-17 with 47 minutes played. Ben Deegan and Aaron Dunphy exchanged points before Stephen Dunphy reduced the gap to two.

The sides traded scores over the closing stages, but Camross always looked capable of keeping their noses in front. Tom Cuddy, Deegan and two points from James Cuddy kept the scoreboard ticking, while Joe Campion and two Scully frees ensured Borris-Kilcotton remained within touching distance.

The home side pushed desperately for a late goal to force extra-time, but Camross stood firm to secure a three-point victory and book their place in Sunday’s final against The Harps in Portlaoise.

FULL-TIME SCORE

CAMROSS 3-22

BORRIS-KILCOTTON 2-22

SCORERS— Camross: Mark Dowling 2-2, James Cuddy 1-3, Mossy Keyes 0-6 (0-2 frees, 0-1 65), Dan Delaney 0-4, Ben Deegan and Eoin Gaughan (0-1 free) 0-2 each, Tom Cuddy, Eoghan Cuddy and Ciaran Collier 0-1 each. Borris-Kilcotton: PJ Scully 1-8 (0-3 frees, 0-3 sidelines, 0-2 65’s), Joe Campion 1-1, Aaron Dunphy 0-4, Jer Quinlan 0-3, Stephen Dunphy and Neil Foyle 0-2 each, Eoin Fitzpatrick and Niall Coss 0-1 each.

CAMROSS: Tadhg Doran; Aaron Carroll, Dwane Palmer, Bryan Bredin; Eoghan Cuddy, Cathal Cuddy, Tom Cuddy; Eoin Gaughan, Odhran Phelan; Mossy Keyes, Ciaran Collier, Dan Delaney; Mark Dowling, Ben Deegan, James Cuddy. Subs: Andrew Collier for E Cuddy (5-8 mins, blood), Kevin Byrne for Bredin (47 mins), Matthew Collier for Delaney (51 mins).

BORRIS-KILCOTTON: Eoin Fleming; Eoin Daly, Enda Parlon, Steven Finan; Evan Quinlan, Matthew Whelan, Niall Coss; Eoin Fitzpatrick, Evan Carey; Jer Quinlan, Joe Campion, Aaron Dunphy; Stephen Dunphy, Neil Foyle, PJ Scully. Subs: Eoghain Coss for Carey (HT), Kyle Abraham for Foyle (52 mins), Evan Gray for Campion (59 mins, inj).

Referee: John Lalor (Shanahoe)