Championship
season is upon us and Blues were out in both codes over the last week.
On Saturday,
August 10th the minor footballers exited the competition when they
went down to Boherbue in Kilmichael. Bantry started well in this game going
three points up, two Tim Foley frees and a point from play by Donal Casey
before Boherbue opened their account. Donal Casey struck again to put Blues
four points to one up but this lead was reduced as Boherbue got the next two
points. As the half time whistle beckoned, Ayrton O’Shea won possession in
defence and started a great move that resulted in a point from Tim Foley to
leave Bantry five points to three up at the break.
From the restart
Blues were on the attack and had a great goal chance but Boherbue cleared and
swept up the field to get the decisive score, a goal to put them in the lead.
They tacked on another two points and were looking good until Shane McCarthy
took a pass from Tim Foley to finish to the net, levelling the game. The game
was there for the taking for both teams but Boherbue looked more dangerous in
attack. Keeper Mark Keohane made a great save to deny Boherbue a second goal
but in this low scoring contest it was the lads in yellow and green that got
the two scores to close it out and come away with the win. Final score Boherbue
1-07, Bantry Blues 1-5.
This was a
rugged game with scores at a premium. It could be said that Bantry had the
chances but some days it does not happen. There was no faulting the effort with
Ayrton O’Shea, Shane Delaney, Seánie and Jimmy O’Leary, Peter Kelleher and Tim
Foley especially standing out.
Team: Mark
Keohane, Jimmy O’Leary, Eoin
Lynch, Ayrton O’Shea, James Foley, Shane Delaney, Anthony Hanley, Seán O’Leary,
Killian O’Sullivan, Peter Kelleher, Donal Casey (0-2), Gerald O’Sullivan, Shane
McCarthy (1-0), Tim Foley (0-3,2F), Daniel Murphy. Subs used: Arthur Coakley
and Brian Murphy. Cathal McCarthy, Owen O’Flynn, John Lavin, Ronan O’Mahony.
On the following Monday evening our U16 hurlers
were up against Pedlars Cross in the West Cork
semi final in Dunmanway. This was a rip roaring match with Pedlars going
forward to the final in the end.
Bantry had the better start, Daniel Murray and
Shane McCarthy shooting Blues into a two point lead. Pedlars hit the next three
but a Kieran Hanley point levelled matters again. The sides exchanged points,
Ronan O’Mahony on the mark for Bantry but Pedlars broke the deadlock with a
goal. Arthur Coakley replied with a point but the Ballinascarthy lads hit the
next three to leave the halftime score Pedlars Cross 1-07, Bantry Blues 0-5.
Pedlars stretched their lead after the break
with three unanswered white flags but fine points from Arthur Coakley and
Kieran Hanley showed that Bantry were not finished. However the concession of a
Pedlars goal following a defensive error put some daylight between the teams.
Blues continued to fight and Kieran Hanley struck his third point of the night.
Pedlar’s pointed but them Bantry goal specialist Arthur Coakley hit the net. Shane
Keevers put over another and now there was just five points between the teams.
At this stage Bantry were right in the contest but luck was not with them when
Arthur Coakley’s shot at goal came back off the cross bar. Shane McCarthy’s
blistering shot was parried out for a 65 and as the clock ticked down Pedlars
got two points to make them safe. Up to the end Bantry continued to attack and
forced another off the line clearance but Pedlars held firm and finished ahead
on a score of 2-13 to 1-09.
Tremendous credit is due to this Bantry team
for the way they fought to the end with notable performances all over the
field. In the full back line captain Owen O’Flynn led by example clearing his
lines again and again. Beside him Kieran Daly was superb and the line in front
of them of Danny Hutchinson, Ronan O’Mahony and Paddy O’Shea never stopped working. The
midfield pair of Shane Keevers and Kieran Hanley ran their socks off and in the
forwards along with the scorers, Sean Hodnett gave everything.
Team: James Lavin, Robyn McCarthy, Owen O’Flynn, Kieran Daly, Danny Hutchinson, Ronan
O’Mahony(0-1), Paddy O’Shea, Shane Keevers(0-1), Kieran Hanley(0-3), Shane
McCarthy(0-1), Arthur Coakley(1-2), Sean Hodnett, Tom Daly, Aaron Barry, Daniel
Murray(0-1). Subs used: Tadhg McCarthy, Eoghan Minihane. Sean Cronin, Sean Thornton,
Gary Butler.
More championship action this weekend when our
U16 footballers play Thomas Russell’s on Saturday at 3.00, venue to be
announced. On Sunday our minor hurlers play St Patricks in Ballydehob at 7.00.
Please support both teams.