Shine kicks Rossies to Hastings title
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
The Roscommon under -21 team who defeated Cavan in the final of the Hastings Cup at Longford on Saturday.GOL0520
A KICKING masterclass from Donie Shine ensured the Hastings Cup made its way back to Roscommon once again following a deserved five-point victory over fancied Cavan. Played at a pulsating pace throughout, the pivotal score came in the 43rd minute when Shine hit the back of the net; it was a score from which Cavan never recovered.
With the haul of 1-8 by Shine the outstanding feature, credit is also due the rearguard who managed to keep a clean sheet despite massive pressure at various times. Senior man Kevin Higgins also put in a good shift with an all-action display while the other Shine, Cathal, helped out in the final third when possible. Paul Garvey was also easy on the eye with some super runs and scores in the first-half, tormenting Cavan for long periods.
Roscommon managed to get out of the blocks first, Donie Shine kicking the first point with a close-range free after referee Derek Fahy awarded a free for a dubious pick-up off the ground. Three minutes later and Roscommon doubled their lead, Paul Garvey on target with an excellent free from an extreme angle.
With five minutes on the clock, Garvey kicked his second point on the trot, this time finished off a flowing team move which involved Brian Murtagh and Kevin Higgins linking up well. One minute later Cavan registered their first score of the game, team captain Eugene Keating landing a superb score following a piercing run from halfway.
With 12 minutes on the clock Cavan pulled it back to a one point game, wing-forward Niall Smith kicking over an excellent point following a neat one-two with Declan McKiernan. Roscommon replied with their first score for ten minutes to open up a two point lead once again, Paul Garvey tapping over a close range free.
Three minutes later Donie Shine was back on the scoresheet with an excellent point on the turn off his weaker left peg. Shine then followed that up with two frees on the trot, leaving the score 0-7 to 0-2 with seven minutes remaining. Gearoid McKiernan reduced the deficit after 25 minutes with a snap shot from 21 yards.
McKiernan raised the white flag again with three minutes remaining but Donie Shine had the final say of the half when landing a super long range free from near the sideline, meaning the Rossies went into the half time break four points ahead, 0-8 to 0-4.
Cavan hit the ground running in the second half and had two points on the trot within the first five minutes, Niall McDermott and Gearoid McKiernan reducing Cavan arrears to just two points. And with 41 minutes on the clock it was a one point game, Niall Smith on target once again with a close-range effort.
However, Roscommon's trump card came to the fore with 43 minutes gone, Donie Shine chipping over the outrushing Martin Smith for a superb goal, meaning all Cavan's hard work was undone by a moment of brilliance. Cavan didn't let their heads drop though and made it a three-point game with 15 minutes left, Niall McDermott sending over a sweet effort.
Donie Shine again hit Cavan one minute later, the full-forward smashing over a magnificent score on the turn.. With ten minutes remaining Cavan managed to get it down to a three-point game once more, Declan McKiernan firing over a fine score on the run to set up a tense final ten minutes.
Roscommon substitute Eanna Tieran hit back though one minute later with an excellent individual score on the run which again made it a safe four-point lead. Cavan had two opportunities to hit the back of the net in quick succession but Martin Dunne failed to rattle the onion bag with two point-blank efforts, one hitting the post and one going over, leaving it a three-point game once again with seven minutes left on the clock.
With one minute left on the clock centre forward Cathal Shine made it a four point lead for the Rossies with a tidy point on the run while it was fitting that the man of the moment, Donie Shine, finished off the game with a point from a free. That proved to be the last meaningful event of the contest, handing Roscommon the Hastings Cup title once more.
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