Three reasons why Russell Rovers lost
Daire Walsh
Difficult first-quarter
Momentum can play a massive part in determining the outcome of any game and Conahy Shamrocks had it in spade during the early exchanges. With just 16 minutes gone on the clock in Croke Park, they had developed a 0-8 to 0-2 cushion.
The Leesiders did subsequently get themselves back within contention but as manager Michael Mannion acknowledged afterwards, they were always chasing the game.
James Bergin-Kieran Mooney double act
While Tom Phelan’s direct running style provided considerable energy to the Conahy attack, the twin scoring threat of captain James Bergin and Kieran Mooney was huge. They contributed all bar five points of the 0-22.
Despite the presence of Kevin Tattan as a sweeper in the Rovers defence, Bergin and Mooney – a surviving member of Conahy’s 2008 All-Ireland winning squad – were a constant thorn in their side.
Josh Beausang Injury
Already four points adrift by the interval, Rovers were dealt a further blow when Josh Beausang was withdrawn through injury. Prior to missing the semi-final victory over Micheal Breathnach with a dislocated shoulder, the full-forward had been the East Cork’s scorer-in-chief. A fully-fit Beausang may not have been enough to get Rovers over the line but, with Luke Duggan Murray growing in stature, he may well have given them a chance.