Bantry Blues U14 footballers kicked off their season with a league fixture in Enniskeane against Ahán Gaels on Sunday last. On a crisp bright morning Blues got off to a flying start when Daniel Murray opened the scoring with an early goal. Patrick Casey followed up with a point. Ahán Gaels then started to get on top and hit back with a couple of goals to put them in front. Jack O’Neill tapped over a good point but it was Ahán Gaels who finished the half the better of the two sides with three points, the last effort a shot, parried over the bar by goalkeeper James Lavin. HT score Ahán Gaels 2-03, Bantry Blues 1-02.
Gaels pushed further ahead with two points after the restart but then Daniel Murray’s long ball in finished up in the net. Daniel kicked over a free shortly afterwards, reducing the margin to two points. The host club hit back with a goal but this was cancelled out when Dylan Carthy crashed the ball to the net in reply. The tit-for-tat continued when Ahán goaled, following up with a point. The goals looked to be continuing when Patrick Casey bore down on goal but his shot blazed over the bar, letting Gaels off the hook. Ahán finished the game with three more points as the differing fitness levels began to tell. The final score in this entertaining game was Ahán Gaels 4-09, Bantry Blues 3-04.
Blues U14’s can be happy enough with their first outing, there were plenty of encouraging displays especially from Robyn McCarthy, Gavin Cronin and Eoghan O’Shea in the backs. Ronan O’Mahony and Jack McCarthy worked hard at midfield and all the forwards showed good movement.
Team: James Lavin, Robyn McCarthy, Gavin Cronin, Kevin Coakley(Sean O’Regan), Aiden O’Sullivan, Eoghan O’Shea, Dylan Carthy(1-0), Ronan O’Mahony, Jack McCarthy, Barry O’Sullivan, Daniel Murray(2-1, 1F), Jack O’Neill(0-1), Russell Barry(Jack Maguire), Patrick Casey(0-2), Eric Dowling.
There was a very good response to the Club Registration Day on Saturday last but there are some players who still need to register. Kate O’Sullivan, Club Registrar will be happy to help with anyone who wants to join up or renew membership.
