Olan O'Donovan and James Crowley fire Ibane Gaels past O'Donovan Rossa in U21 final

Ibane Gaels 1-14 (1-1-12) O’Donovan Rossa 0-10 (0-1-8)

Olan O’Donovan’s 1-8 helped Ibane Gaels qualify for the 2025 Clóna Milk Carbery U21 A football final with a victory over O’Donovan Rossa in Drimoleague.

The Argideen Rangers and Barryroe amalgamation emerged from a semi-final in which O’Donovan’s fortuitous early goal proved crucial.

Down seven at the interval, O’Donovan Rossa fought back in a third quarter. They held their opponents scoreless and reduced the deficit to two. Ibane responded and, although they only had three scorers on the night, found their range during the closing 15 minutes.

It was a poignant evening for Ibane Gaels as their manager and assistant secretary of Barryroe GAA, Dónal Holland, passed away only three weeks before.

The Gaels got off to the best possible start. Olan O’Donovan’s long-range attempt was initially gathered by goalkeeper Odhran Herlihy. The Skibbereen goalkeeper momentarily fumbled the ball. That was enough for an umpire to adjudge, despite Rossa’s protestations, that the ball had crossed the line and a goal was awarded.

Encouraged by that early green flag, Olan O’Donovan added three quick-fire points, as well as a chalked-off two-pointer. Ibane were deservedly six clear at the 10-minute mark.

Following a slow start, O’Donovan Rossa midfielders Luca Harte and Ciaran Coombes gained a foothold and kickstarted their team’s best spell. Consecutive Harte, Niall Daly and Luke O’Sullivan points made it 1-3 to 0-3.

The Gaels responded with James Crowley and Olan O’Donovan (two-point free) restoring their side’s three-point advantage.

Cian O’Brien and James Crowley exchanged scores before a second Crowley effort sent Ibane in 1-8 to 0-4 in front at the break.

Controlling the third quarter, Niall Daly, Luca Harte and Luke O’Sullivan (two-pointer) scores brought Rossas to within touching distance of their opponents.

Olan O’Donovan kicked a badly-needed Ibane point before Niall Daly (free) replied at the opposite end.

That would be the Skibbereen club’s final score however, as four late James Crowley, Luke Murphy (two) and Olan O’Donovan white flags wrapped up Ibane Gaels’ deserved victory.

Scorers for Ibane Gaels: O O’Donovan 1-8 (1 2pt f), J Crowley 0-4, L Murphy 0-2.

O’Donovan Rossa: L O’Sullivan 0-4 (1 2pt), N Daly 0-3 (0-1 f), L Harte 0-2, C O’Brien 0-1.

IBANE GAELS: L McCarthy; K Hennessy, J Crowley, A Walsh; A Fleming, T O’Buachalla (captain), C Twomey; D Dineen, L Murphy; J Twomey, D Moloney, S Ryan; D Walsh, J Crowley, O O’Donovan.

Subs: D Flynn for S Ryan (40), J Collins for D Dineen (54), C Dineen for A Fleming (60).

O’DONOVAN ROSSA: O Herlihy; S McCarthy, C Coombes (c), C O’Brien; A Daly, F Hurley, J Goulding; L Harte, N McCarthy; O Hurley, N Daly, R Collins; L O’Sullivan, C Hurley, B O’Sullivan.

Subs: A Dempsey for C O’Brien (ht), J Collins for B O’Sullivan (ht).

Referee: Jimmy O’Sullivan (St Colum’s).

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