Determined Douglas hold city rivals St Michael's to four points

Douglas 1-12 (1-1-10) St Michael’s 0-4 (0-0-4)

Douglas cruised to a comfortable 11-point win over a disappointing St Michael’s side in the McCarthy Insurance PSFC at Shanbally on Saturday.

In a game where there was little to shout about for long periods, Douglas looked head and shoulders above their opponents.

When Michael’s look back, they will rue their inability to break down the stern Douglas defence and in the first half, their shooting was well below the standard required at this level.

Plenty of solid performances from Douglas though, led by Conor Russell with the full-forward chipping in with eight points.

Douglas looked the far livelier team in the opening exchanges, and they were rewarded with a point from Conor Russell following a free in the third minute.

Michael’s for their part, looked lethargic at times going forward and they were almost punished two minutes later when Adam Cantwell’s shot was blocked when through on goal.

Russell added a second point in the eighth minute from play, but the Blackrock side were struggling to break down their opponents' defence.

St Michael's Alan O'Callaghan bursts out of defence against Douglas. Picture: David Creedon

In truth, Michael’s looked off the pace and consecutive points increased the Douglas lead, to four points midway through the half.

Indeed, Douglas looked to be at a different level and Russell was denied a certain goal a minute later, but his powerful shot was parried to safety by St Michael’s keeper Mikey O’Connell.

Finally, Douglas got their reward for pressure when Cork football ace Sean Powter soloed 40 yards before drilling a low shot past O’Connell.

Douglas goalscorer Sean Powter. Picture: David Creedon

Douglas coach Paudie Kissane had his homework done as Michael’s talisman Luke O'Herlihy was held scoreless up to the 26th minute, getting few clear looks at the posts.

It was hard to believe that Michael’s went in at the break scoreless but in truth their general play was really poor, and Douglas certainly looked in the driving seat when commanding a nine-point lead 1-6 to 0-0.

On the restart Michael’s looked to have more urgency in their game and they should have raised a green flag, but a terrific Andrew Murphy shot was parried to safety.

Russell was hand to kick his fifth point in the 37th minute as Douglas looked far superior going forward.

As the third quarter was coming to close, we witnessed a mini-melee with players from both sides showing a little indiscipline. As always, the ice-cool man in the middle Brian Coniry handled with sheer professionalism with the distribution of a couple of yellow and black cards.

Keith Hegarty got the biggest cheer of the night when he floated over Michael’s opening point in the 47th minute.

On a night to forget for the Blackrock outfit, all they could muster up for the remainder of the game was two more white flags.

The one minus for Douglas was a shoulder injury picked by Sean Powter with five minutes remaining and now he could be in a race to be fit for their next group game against Nemo Rangers.

On a night to forget for St Michael’s it was the opposite for Douglas who showed great defensive qualities that will test the resolve of both Nemo and Ballincollig.

Scorers for Douglas: C Russell 0-8 (0-4 f), S Powter 1-0, S Coakley 0-3 (1 2pt f), J Cunningham 0-1.

St Michael's: K Hegarty 0-2, D Meaney, A Hennessy 0-1 each.

DOUGLAS: A Cotter; N Lynch, N Walsh, J O’Callaghan-Maher; C Kingston, J Burke, S Powter; D Buckley, P Lucey; K Shanahan, L Dwane-Fogarty, S Aherne; A Cantwell, J Cunningham, C Russell.

Subs: B Powter for P Lucey (41), S Coakley for J Cunningham (41), D Ward for N Lynch (43), S O’Leary for S Powter (inj 55).

ST MICHAEL'S: M O’Connell; L Carroll, A O’Callaghan, S Keating; E Sheehan, D Meaney, A Murphy; E Hickey, D Corkery; A Hennessy, E Hegarty, L O’Sullivan; K Hegarty, L O’Herlihy, F Leahy.

Subs: E Buckley for L O’Sullivan (20), J Ryan for D Corkery (43), B Cain for E Hegarty (45).

Referee: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).

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