Our U16 hurlers
progressed to the West Cork championship semi
final on Saturday last when they overcame Sam Maguire’s in an exciting contest
in Leap.
Dunmanway were
first off the mark with a point from a converted free but this was cancelled
out with a free from Tim Foley moments later. The ever busy Sean Hodnett shot
Blues into the lead but soon after, the lads in green edged in front with two
more frees. Tim Foley was accurate from the placed ball to level matters again
and centre forward Shane McCarthy put his team ahead again with a fine point.
The sides exchanged points with Shane Keevers raising a white flag for Blues
but Sam’s got their noses in front once more with two points from play. Full
forward Daniel Murray pulled one back for Bantry but Dunmanway pointed again to
lead by seven points to six as half time approached. Blues got the break they
needed when Arthur Coakley got possession in front of goal and fired to the net
to put his team in front by 1-06 to 0-7 when the half time whistle sounded.
Sam Maguire’s
reduced the lead by scoring the opening point of the second half but Shane
McCarthy cancelled this out with his second of the game. Dunmanway converted
another free but then came the turning point of the match. Midfielder Shane
Keevers won possession and made a great solo run through the Maguire’s defence.
He delivered a perfect pass to Arthur Coakley who rifled the sliotar to the
net. Tim Foley followed up with a point from play to put Blues five ahead with
less than ten minutes to go. Dunmanway reduced it to a four point deficit but
the ever accurate Tim Foley made no mistake from a close in free to keep some
daylight between the sides. As the clock ticked down Sam Maguire’s pressed for
the goal they need. They put over a free to bring the margin to four and
continued to pressurise the Bantry defence. The drama was not over as Sam
Maguire’s were awarded a penalty and suddenly the Blues lead looked very
fragile. However, goalkeeper James Lavin stopped the shot and cleared the
rebound to avert the danger. Seconds later the referee sounded to final whistle
and Bantry were through on a scoreline of 2-09 to 11 points.
This was a game
where the outcome was in doubt throughout but the Bantry defence were superb
with captain Owen
O’Flynn and Killian O’Sullivan outstanding in the full back line. Equally the
half back line of Paddy O’Shea, Tadhg McCarthy and Danny Hutchinson did
everything that was asked of them. Midfielders Tim Foley and Shane Keevers
worked tirelessly and all of the forwards ran their socks off. It was a tough
day for the full forward line but they gave nothing away cheaply with Aaron
Barry especially hardworking. Bantry will now face Pedlars Cross in the semi final.
Team: James Lavin, Owen O’Flynn, Killian O’Sullivan, Kieran Daly,
Paddy O’Shea, Tadhg McCarthy, Danny Hutchinson, Tim Foley (0-4,3F), Shane Keevers (0-1),
Sean Hodnett (0-1), Shane McCarthy (0-2), Arthur Coakley (2-0), Robyn McCarty,
Daniel Murray (0-1), Aaron Barry. Sub used, Sean Cronin. Gary Butler, Tom Daly,
Sean Thornton, Eoghan
Minihane.
Bantry Blues minor footballer’s play Boherbue in
the championship quarter final on Saturday evening next, time and venue yet to
be announced. Please support.