The sun beamed down as the U12 footballers
of Newcestown and Bantry Blues took to the field in Baile Núis on Saturday
last. The clubs had agreed to play two games with the U11’s and U12’s from each
side facing each other in 11-a-side format.
The U11 game was an even affair with the score standing Blues 2-02 to
Newcestown 2-05 at half time. James O’Shea had scored Bantry’s first goal from
a Charlie Lavin pass, Shane Crowley had pointed a free, Paddy O’Neill kicked a
point and Conor O’Shea hit Blues second goal.
Bantry played well in the second half with points coming from Shane
Crowley(2), Charlie Lavin and Paddy O’Neill but the home team were ahead at the
final whistle by 4-06 to 2-06. Great defensive work was a feature of this game
with great performances from goalkeeper Aiden Murnane, Greg Cotter, Luke
O’Shaughnessy, Matthew Harley, Michael O’Sullivan and Patrick Barry.
On the other pitch the U12’s battled it out. At half time Blues found
themselves behind by 3-05 to 1-05 but staged a great comeback to win by 6-13 to
6-07. James Crowley was replaced in goals for the second half by Dylan Clifford
and this proved a good move as James grabbed three goals when he went up front.
Other scorers in this scoring spree for Bantry were Shane Murray with seven
points, Billy Foley hit 1-04, Tom Flynn got 2-01 and Dylan Clifford and Timothy
O’Driscoll notched a point apiece. In defence David O’Sullivan and Oisin Bennet
had great games and Timothy O’Driscoll in the forwards was involved in
everything.
Team: James Crowley, David O’Sullivan, Shane Buckley, Oisin Bennett,
James Buckley, Billy Foley, Shane Murray, Thomas Flynn, Timothy O’Driscoll, Max
O’Regan, Dylan Clifford.
On Saturday evening it was the turn of the U14’s footballers as they
took on O’Donovan Rossa in Wolfe Tone Park. This turned out to be a high
scoring affair with goals galore.
Patrick Casey opened the scoring with a point, Jack O’Neill followed up
with a goal and full forward Gavin Cronin had knocked over a point before
Skibbereen hit back with a goal. The play from both teams was very open with
the Bantry tactic of high ball into the forwards paying off with Patrick Casey
adding two goals before half time and points coming from Daniel Murray (3,1F),
Dylan Carthy, Patrick Casey and Gavin Cronin. At the break the score read: Bantry
Blues 3-08, O’Donovan Rossa 3-02.
The scoring continued in the second half on an ideal evening
weatherwise with Ronan O’Mahony getting in on the act to score 1-1. Barry
O’Sullivan came out of goals to go to the full forward line where he hit a goal
and a point. At the final whistle Bantry were ahead by 6-14 to O’Donovan
Rossa’s 4-06. Despite the scoreline this was a very enjoyable game to watch
with good football played by both sides. Savo Dragos had a great game at full
back with Patrick Casey and Daniel Murray very sharp up front. Gavin Cronins
overhead catching was impressive and he finished with a scoring tally of
1-03.
Team: Barry O’Sullivan(1-1), Liam De La Cour, Savo Dragas, Kevin
Coakley, Aiden O’Sullivan, Eoghan O’Shea, James Lavin, Jack McCarthy, Ronan
O’Mahoney(1-1), Dylan Carthy(0-1), Daniel Murray(0-5,2F), Eric Dowling, Jack
O’Neill(1-0), Gavin Cronin(1-3), Patrick Casey(2-3). Russell Barry.
Bantry Blues Cúl Camp will run from July 9th to 13th this year. To
ensure a place you can register online at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie or
contact Catherine O’Sullivan on 087 242 4738.