Rovers extended their lead with a pointed free soon after the restart and then Bantry’s best spell followed. Billy Foley shot a point, James Lavin hit another and Billy was on the mark again to put the Blues into the lead. Goleen’s big men got going and in a phase of the game that decided the result they struck three goals and a point in a five minute spell. The Blues tried to get back in the game with points from James Lavin, Daniel Murray and Ronan O’Mahony but Mizen Rovers had done enough and ran out winners by 4-05 to 1-08.
The old saying that goals win games was well illustrated in this one to the Bantry lads. In this 12-a-side league game the Blues had a squad of nineteen and all played a part. Best on the evening were Shane Murray in goals, Daniel Murray and Robyn McCarthy in the full back line and Jack McCarthy up front.
Team: Shane Murray, Robyn McCarthy, Daniel Murray (0-1), Keelan O’Sullivan, James Lavin (0-2), Sean Thornton, Ronan O’Mahony (0-2,), Shane McSweeney, Patrick Casey, Billy Foley (0-2), Jack McCarthy (1-1), Matthew Barry. Eoghan O’Shea, James McGlinchey, Liam Coakley, Sean Cronin, Ronan Sheils, Kevin Coakley, Gary Butler.
On Sunday the minor hurlers travelled to Enniskeane to play a league game with Ahán Gaels. In a match where Blues were behind at half time they just could not overcome the home side, losing by two points in the end. Final score: Ahán Gaels 2-08, Bantry Blues 1-09. Players who looked best for Bantry were full back Jack McCarthy and Seán and Jimmy O’Leary at midfield.
Team: Cathal McCarthy, Eoin O’Flynn, Jack McCarthy (0-1), Colm James, Jack Hanley, Tim Cronin, Noel O’Flynn, Seán O’Leary (0-4), Jimmy O’Leary, Shane McCarthy, Gary Hurley (1-02, 1F), Peter Cronin, John Lavin, Anthony Hanley (0-1), John Lynch (0-1).
The following evening Blues U16 hurlers made the short journey to Kealkill to play local rivals St Colums. Playing against an understrength home side, Bantry had a lead of 1-04 to no score at half time, Anthony Hanley with 1-02 to his credit and Shane McCarthy having got the other two points. It was more of the same in the second half with Anthony hitting a further 1-1, John Lavin scoring two long range frees and Shane McCarthy adding another point to his tally. Final score: Bantry Blues 2-08, St Colums 0-1. The U14’s who came to help out on the night all played well and a couple were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Team: Cathal McCarthy, Eoin O’Flynn, Stephen Hanley, Paddy O’Shea, John Lavin (0-2F), Shane Keevers, Tim Cronin, Sean Hodnett, Shane McCarthy (0-3), James Lavin, Arthur Coakley, Anthony Hanley (2-3). Jack McCarthy, Kieran Hanley, Ronan O’Mahony.
On the same evening Bantry’s U13 footballers entertained Ilen Rovers in a league game at the park. From the start Ilen were the first to break into the lead with two quick goals. However Bantry got to grips with the game and Billy Foley supplied passes to Shane McSweeney and Matthew Barry for goals and by half time the Blues were in front by 2-04 to 2-03. After the break Bantry pushed on and goals from Dylan Carthy and Tom O’Flynn put the home side into a commanding lead. It was Ilen Rovers who finished the stronger and got two late goals but Bantry weathered the storm and hung on to win by the narrowest of margins. Final score: Bantry Blues 4-05, Ilen Rovers 4-04. This was a very close and exciting encounter and with championship a week away was great preparation for all players involved. In defence Liam de la Cour, Kevin Coakley, Jack Maguire and Eoin Black played very well while Billy Foley and Shane McSweeney were the top forwards.
Team: Sean O’Regan, Ronan Sheils, Liam de la Cour, Kevin Coakley, Eoin Black, Dylan Carthy (0-2), Jack Maguire, Eoghan Minihane, Eric Dowling, Liam Coakley, Shane Mc Sweeney (2-2), Billy Foley, Dean Horgan (0-1), Matthew Barry (1-0), Shane Murray. Subs used: Shane Buckley, Sean Downey, James Crowley, David Clifford, Liam Clifford, Tom O’Flynn (1-0), Michael Hanley, Aaron McCarthy.