Juvenile News & Match Report Archive

Tuesday 5 November 2013

U16 Footballers in County Final!



Our U16 footballers progressed to the county final after a great display against Passage in the semi-final played in Clonakilty on Sunday last.
Bantry were on the attack almost immediately from the throw in with Gavin Cronin’s shot for a point coming back off the post. A moment later Nicholas O’Sullivan’s volley at goal cannoned off the crossbar and Bantry unbelievably hit the woodwork a third time before Tim Foley settled things with a point. Shane McCarthy and Arthur Coakley hit two more and then from a Tim Foley free kick Nicholas O’Sullivan directed the ball to the net to put Blues 1-03 up.
Passage got a break soon after when Blues full back appeared to have the situation under control but lost his footing in the wet conditions, allowing the full forward in to shoot a goal. Passage West narrowed the gap further with a pointed free, but then followed a great period for Bantry. Tim Foley won the ball at midfield from a kick out. He ran at the Passage defence, played a one-two and hit the net with a rocket. Blues took over at midfield with Gavin Cronin and Killian O’Sullivan dominating that sector and points from Arthur Coakley, Shane McCarthy and a free from Tim Foley made Bantry’s total for the half 2-06 to 1-03 at the break.
Passage had won two of their games with comebacks on their run to the semi final and Bantry were well aware of this. It was the Blues who started the second half in a storm with Gavin Cronin shooting a great point. Arthur Coakley broke through the Passage defence and his shot clipped the crossbar for his third point of the game. The lively Shane McCarthy popped over Bantry’s third of the half a few moments later. Their opposition pulled back a point but from the kick out Arthur Coakley won possession and carried before laying on a pass to Tim Foley who drove to the net for Blues third goal. Bantry were in top gear at this stage and Shane McCarthy pointed from a Daniel Murray pass and followed up with a goal that put the issue beyond doubt. Further points followed from Arthur Coakley and Tim Foley and at the final whistle the score stood Bantry Blues 4-13, Passage West 1-04.
The scoreline does not reflect the work it took for Bantry to carve out this result. On a day of continuous rain it was tough going with big hits going in all over the pitch. The backs had to be on their toes especially in the first half but great displays by Kieran Hanley at centre back and Ronan O’Mahony at full were the foundation of this win. All of the backs had to be up to the task but each one of the six stuck to the job and cancelled out the scoring threat.
In the middle of the field, the trio of Gavin Cronin, Killian O’Sullivan and Tim Foley were immense and carried the fight to Passage time after time. It wasn’t an easy day for forwards but the score amassed tells the story of their effort. In the other semi Mallow overcame Clonakilty so this type performance will have to be repeated and maybe bettered to claim the prize of a county championship.
Team: Michael Casey, Fionn O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Mahony, Savo Dragos, Sean Hodnett, Kieran Hanley, Owen O’Flynn, Gavin Cronin (0-1), Killian O’Sullivan, Arthur Coakley (0-4), Tim Foley (2-04,2F), Shane Keevers, Nicholas O’Sullivan (1-0), Shane McCarthy (1-04), Daniel Murray. Subs used: Aaron Barry, Patrick Casey, Michael Healy, James Lavin. Subs: Aiden O’Sullivan, Barry O’Sullivan, Russell Barry, Sean Thornton, Eoghan O’Shea.
The final is fixed for 2.30 on Sunday next in Cloughduv, this team deserves your support so please go and cheer them on.