It was the lads from the Gaeltacht who were first out of the blocks from the restart. They fired 2-2 without reply to further increase their lead. Bantry’s cause was not helped by the forced retirement of Daniel Murray through injury and despite a point from Jack McCarty and Barry O’Sullivan's goal Ivyleary pressed on to win well. Final score: Iveleary 6-08, Bantry Blues 2-05. Best on the evening for Bantry were Ronan O’Mahony, Patrick Casey and Keelan O’Sullivan had a great second half. The Blues were missing a couple of players who may have made a difference and now face into their third game of the season with a win and a loss.
Team: Jack McCarthy (0-1), James Lavin, Gary Butler, Sean Thornton, Ronan O’Mahony (0-2), Keelan O’Sullivan, Barry O’Sullivan (1-0), Daniel Murray (1-0), Sean Downey, Patrick Casey (0-1), Shane McSweeney, Eoghan Minihane (0-1), Matthew Barry, Ronan Sheils, Billy Foley, Shane Murray.
On Friday evening Bantry’s U12 footballers entertained Urhan for their first fixture of the season. Two nine-a-side games were played and then the teams swapped over for a second game. The contests were even with great football from both clubs. Urhan shaded the scoring over the games but players from Bantry who caught the eye were Timmy O’Driscoll, James Crowley, Jack O’Brien, Shane Crowley, Daniel Downey, Shane Murray and Tom Flynn.
Bantry Blues teams: Aiden Murnane, Patrick Barry, Shane Buckley, Timmy O’Driscoll, Shane Murray, David O’Sullivan, Tom Flynn, Charlie Lavin, Luke O’Shaughnessy, Daniel Downey. James Buckley, Jack O’Brien, Oisin Bennett, Billy Foley, James Crowley, Alan Kelly, Ayrton Doyle, Shane Crowley, Killian Crowley.
On the same evening Bantry U14 footballers played Sam Maguire’s in a challenge in Dunmanway. This turned out to be a high scoring and exciting contest with good performances especially from Savo Dragas, Patrick Casey and Eoghan O’Shea. Dunmanway were just ahead at the final whistle.
Monday evening saw the U13 footballers travel to Ballinascarty for round two of their league against Pedlars. After a high scoring first half Bantry were ahead by a scoreline of 3-07 to 3-02. Pedlars got on top in the second half and were rewarded with two goals to put them in front. Bantry edged ahead again but were under pressure up to the final whistle as Pedlars pushed for an equalising goal. It was the Blues who came away with the league points with the final score standing Pedlars 5-05, Bantry Blues 5-08. The players who stood out for Bantry in this exciting game were Dylan Carthy, Liam de la Cour, Ronan Sheils and Shane McSweeney. Bantry’s next game is against Ilen Rovers at home on Monday, April 23rd and then they face Skibbereen in the championship the following week.
Team V Pedlars: John Enderson, Michael Hanley, Liam de la Cour, Ronan Sheils, Kevin Coakley, Dylan Carthy (0-1), Jack Maguire, Eoghan Minihane, Eric Dowling, Eoin Black, Shane McSweeney (2-3), Dean Horgan (1-1), Sean Downey, Liam Coakley (2-1), Matthew Barry (0-1). Aaron McCarthy, James McGlinchey.
Also on Monday evening the U16 footballers played Ilen Rovers in a challenge game in Bantry. On a misty evening, the game swung either way for periods but the teams finished even at the final whistle when Darren Cronin’s gaol levelled matters at the end. Seánie O’Leary was the hardest worker on show for the Blues with Shane McCarthy finishing with a scoring tally of 2-07, including two frees. Other scores for Bantry were Arthur Coakley with a goal and Darren scores two over the game. In a game that saw Ilen Rovers leading by 2-07 to 1-04 at half time, Bantry did well to fight back and draw at 4-09 apiece.