Simon O'Shea brace puts Hanover in divisional cup semis
New Oak’s David O’Sheai. Pic: © Michael O'Rourke Photography 2025
It was a sluggish opening 20 minutes from both sides in Bunclody on Saturday evening, Bunclody having the only chance of note from distance, forcing Robbie Moore into a fingertip save. The defending champions and newly crowned back to back league champions were much improved after the water break with Jason Murphy and Anto McGrath causing problems and eventually they manufactured the breakthrough down the right side, swinging in a dangerous cross which was only cleared to the onrushing Simon O’Shea to fire home from 12 yards.
Hanover created more sustained attacks throughout the second half and should have been out of sight inside the first five minutes but McGrath fired wide and O’Shea fired at the goalkeeper. Eventually, the second came when O’Shea timed his run to perfection and got on the end of a Mark Davis through ball and finished into the bottom corner. Shortly after, Mark Hessian intercepted a crossfield ball and ran direct at goal firing low and hard into the bottom corner.
Hanover switched off from a set piece with five minutes to play and shortly after were reduced to ten men for a moment of stupidity but were deserved winners and qualify for the semi-finals. Impressive were Johnny Waters, Micky McCartney, Popa Dowling and Paul Condron.
Burrin emerged victorious following a strong second half performance in a close game and are still on course for a domestic treble.
Village defended well in the first half and scored a brilliant breakaway goal, Gavin Riordan with a sublime long-range lob after a great through ball from Jason Lawlor. A few strong words from the Burrin coaches at half-time saw them begin the second half off the same as the first by creating plenty of chances, but it wasn’t until the 50th minute that handball from the Village centre half gave Burrin the chance to level things up from the spot, which Patrick (Pajo) Byrne duly took.
That goal was followed up with a tap-in for Eddie Tobin in the 56th minute and then Byrne scored the third goal for Burrin. A late red card for Burrin gave Village hope, but with only one sub to call on, they tired and couldn't manage to capitalise. Burrin now face a trip to Parkville in the semi-final.
Best for Village were James Brennan, Liam Walsh and Pat Waldron.
