U16 Hurlers Lose County Final After Great Comeback

Despite a great second half comeback, Blues U16 hurlers were beaten by three points in a thrilling county final with Grenagh in Macroom on Saturday last.

Tim Foley got Bantry off the mark with an early pointed free but Grenagh appeared to settle the quicker of the two teams and replied with two points from play. They built on this with a goal to stretch their lead but towards the end of the first quarter Blues began to warm to the task and get to grips in defence. Tim Foley was again on the mark with two frees and a 65 to narrow the gap to a point. Grenagh came back with two points from play but Tim kept the scoreboard ticking over for Bantry when he pointed from his second 65. Grenagh pushed further ahead with a pointed free and with half time looming they struck with their second goal. Tim Foley replied with a point from play just before the break to leave his team with a total of 6 points to Grenagh’s 2-05 at the interval.

Tim Foley was accurate again from a free shortly after the restart but this was cancelled out by a Grenagh point. Bantry looked to have upped their game as they tried to get back into the contest and Tim Foley reduced the deficit with yet another free. Kieran Hanley was brought on to join his brother in the full forward line. Blues were pushing hard for a goal but the Grenagh keeper brought off an incredible double save at this stage to deny them. Seán O’Leary ran at the Grenagh defence and shot over a point and Shane McCarthy followed up with another to narrow the gap to two. Grenagh brought their lead back to three points with a converted free but then Anthony Hanley broke through the strike the equalising goal. Blues were on top all over at this point and when wing back Owen O’Flynn blasted over a point to put his team in front it looked as if it might be their day. However when a long ball into the Bantry area broke loose Grenagh capitalised and hit the goal that broke Blues hearts. Bantry pushed for the goal they needed but again the Grenagh keeper was again too good and it was Grenagh who got the last point of the game to leave the final score: Grenagh 3-08, Bantry Blues 1-11.

Bantry can hold their heads high after pushing Grenagh all the way in this game. Every player gave his all and it would be unfair the single out anyone over his team mates. Their fighting spirit nearly won the day and great credit is due to trainers Danny O’Leary and Dave Hourihan for the work they put into this team in winning West Cork and getting to a county final.

Team: Cathal McCarthy, Killian O’Sullivan, Tim Cronin, Paddy O’Shea, Eoin Lynch, Owen O’Flynn (0-1), Seán O’Leary (0-1), Sean Hodnett, Tim Foley (0-8, 5F, 2 65’s), Shane McCarthy (0-1), Anthony Hanley (1-0), John Lavin. Subs: Kieran Hanley, Arthur Coakley, Stephen Hanley, Shane Keevers, James Lavin.

Bantry’s U16 footballers play Glanmire in the county semi final on Saturday next, details yet to be announced. Please support them as they push for a place in the county final.

U16 Footballers into County Semi Final after Eire Óg win.

The clubs U14 footballers played their last game in the Rebel Óg West A league on Tuesday evening, September 11^th ending with a good win over Gabriel Óg in Ballydehob. The final score stood Bantry Blues 4-06, Gabriel Óg 1-09 with Patrick Casey (2), Russell Barry and Fionn O’Driscoll the goalscorers.

On the same evening the U12 hurlers played Caheragh in Wolfe Tone Park. After a good start by the Blues the visitors came back well but Bantry held out to win by four points.

On Saturday last the U16 footballers came away from Kilmichael after a hard fought win against Eire Óg of Ovens in their championship quarter final. Playing with the wind in the first half Bantry got off to a good start and were leading by 2-06 to 1-02 at half time, Tim Foley (pen.) and Darren Cronin the goalscorers. Eire Óg played much better in the second half and with the aid of the wind pulled back to within three points of Bantry. However, great defending and two spectacular saves from goalkeeper Michael Casey halted any comeback and further points from Shane McCarthy ensured that Bantry went on to win by 3-10 to 2-08. This was a great team performance with Tim Foley, Seán O’Leary, Eoin Lynch, Michael Casey and Tim Cronin especially standing out and a man of the match display by Anthony Hanley. Bantry scorers were: Tim Foley 1-2, Shane McCarthy 1-3, Darren Cronin 1-2, Mark Keohane 0-1, Seán O’Leary 0-1, Anthony Hanley 0-1. Bantry will face Glanmire in the county semi final, details to be announced.

Sunday was a busy day for the clubs underage hurlers with the U14’s playing O Donovan Rossa in the morning in Skibbereen. This was their final fixture in the Rebel Óg West C/D league and they came away with a good win by 4-07 to 8 points. Goalscorers on the day were Eoghan Minihane, Billy Foley, David O’Sullivan and Tom Daly. Later that day the U12’s were in Ballydehob to play Gabriel Óg. This was a close encounter which Bantry lead at half time by 2-01 to 1-02. However the home team got on top in the second half and gave a fine display of pointscoring to win by 4-09 to Blues 4-04. David O’Sullivan had the distinction of scoring a goal for Bantry in both games, James Crowley, Shane Murray and James O’Shea the other goalscorers for the U12’s.

All roads lead to Macroom on Saturday next when Bantry Blues U16 hurlers take on Grenagh in the county final. The game is at 5.15 and this team deserve your support in their bid to bring the cup back to Bantry.

U16 Hurlers through to County Final

Bantry’s U10 hurlers took part in the “All Ireland” U10 Monster hurling blitz in Clonakilty on Saturday morning last. A total of thirty teams from all over West Cork took part in this well organised event. Blues played Crosshaven in their first match, Bandon in their second and Kilbree in their last game. Missing a few players, Bantry did very well to come away with a win under their belts. As the games went on the team improved and put all their training to good effect. Players who lined out on the day were James Collins, James Crowley, John Crowley, Conor Hanley, Dara McCarthy, Dillon McCarthy and Jack O'Sullivan. All of these players are U9’s and so are already looking forward to playing again next year in the All Ireland blitz.

Later that day the U16 hurlers recorded a comprehensive win over Dripsey in the county semi-final at Castletown-Kinneigh. With a county final slot at stake, Bantry were up for it from the throw in. John Lavin hit the opening point only for Dripsey to equalise. Tim Foley shot his sides second, followed up by a Seán O’Leary point. John Lavin opened the flood gates when he shot to the net and within minutes Anthony Hanley had added a second goal. Bantry backs had shut up shop and the forwards went on to give an exhibition of shooting to put the game out of reach by half time with a score of 5-11 to 0-5. It was more of the same in the second half with the selectors giving all the subs a run in preparation for the final against Grenagh in Páirc Uí Rinn, date to be announced.

Team: Cathal McCarthy, Killian O’Sullivan, Tim Cronin, Paddy O’Shea, Eoin Lynch, Owen O’Flynn, Seán O’Leary (1-2), Sean Hodnett (0-1), Tim Foley (1-9, 3F), Shane McCarthy (0-1), John Lavin (1-5, 1F), Anthony Hanley (5-2). Subs, all used: Shane Keevers, Kieran Hanley, Arthur Coakley, James Lavin.

On Wednesday, September 5^th, Bantry’s U13 hurlers went down to St Marys by four points in the West Cork Final played in Dunmanway. In a high scoring and exciting game played on a beautiful evening, St Marys got the early scores to put them into a lead they never lost. Bantry pushed them all the way with great displays from Kevin Coakley, Shane Mc Sweeney, Liam De La Cour, Eoghan Minehane and Eric Dowling. Dylan Carty was majestic in goal but in the end the cup was heading to Ballineen and Enniskeane with the final score: St Marys 2-12, Bantry Blues 4-02.

U13 Footballers draw in Bandon

Bantry Blues U13 footballers played out a thrilling draw in their away game with St Brogans on Monday evening last, final score Blues 2-15, Brogans 3-12.

Under pressure in the first half Bantry were 1-08 to 0-07 behind at the break, Shane Murray, Shane McSweeney and Dylan Carthy the scorers. They suffered a further blow before half time when Dylan had to retire with a hamstring injury.

Bantry upped their game in the second half with Shane Murray and Shane McSweeney scoring early points. Eoghan Minihane kicked a great goal and then set up Shane McSweeney who broke through the Bandon defence to finish to the net. St Brogans kept up the pressure and replied with two goals but Bantry remained cool and kept taking their points. Blues finished strongly and late points from Billy Foley and Shane Murray levelled the game.  On a night of great team effort players who stood out were Liam de la Cour, Eric Dowling, Eoin Black, David O’Sullivan, Eoghan Minihane, Shane Murray, Billy Foley and Shane McSweeney.

Team: John Enderson, Michael Hanley, Sean O Regan, Jack Maguire, Eric Dowling, Liam de la Cour, Eoin Black, Eoghan Minihane (1-0), Dylan Carthy (0-2), Liam Coakley, Shane McSweeney (1-6), Billy Foley (0-1), Sean Downey, Matthew Barry, Shane Murray (0-6,3F). Subs used: David O'Sullivan, Dean Horgan, Aaron McCarthy, Ronan Shiels, James McGlinchey.

The minor hurling West Cork final between Bantry and Ahan Gaels ended in disappointment for the Blues as they lost by 3-12 to 1-09 in Leap on Tuesday evening, August 28^th. In a game where they struggled throughout they were behind at half time by 1-06 to 0-05 having being punished by the accuracy of the Ahan freetaker. In the second half Jack McCarthy again looked the best Bantry player on view but a dominant Gaels side got a couple of goals to extend their lead and run out worthy winners.

On Thursday evening, August 30^th the U14 footballers had a good win in the league over St Brogans in Wolfe Tone Park. Eventual winners by 3-11 to 2-05, the goals were scored by Barry O’Sullivan (2) and Daniel Murray.

The U16 hurlers take on Dripsey on Saturday next in the county semi-final, venue and time to be announced. All support welcome.