Saturday last saw Blues U10 hurlers make
the trip to Ahamilla to take Clonakilty. On a damp morning they tore into the
game from the throw-in and dominated possession but just could not convert this
into scores. It was the home team who made the breakthrough with a goal but
Bantry kept up the effort and were rewarded when Darragh McCarthy pointed from
a free. Blues continued to pile on the pressure and were in hard luck when Hugh
Fitzgerald’s shot rebounded off the base of the post. At half time the score
remained Clonakilty 1-0, Bantry Blues 0-1.
Shortly after the restart Blues took the
lead when Hugh Fitzgerald hit the net with a shot through a crowded goalmouth.
Clonakilty backs were proving hard to break down but following a period of
pressure it was Hugh again who finished to the net. John Crowley hit the post
with a shot but Darragh McCarthy was rewarded for his tireless work when he
added a third goal to Bantry’s tally. However Clon were not finished and came
back with a point. In an exciting last five minutes the home team pushed hard
but goalkeeper Jack O’Sullivan brought off two brilliant saves to keep his team
in the lead. At the final whistle the score stood: Clonakilty 1-01, Bantry
Blues 3-01.
Bantry deserved the win for their sheer
effort, they chased everything and gave their opponents no time on the ball.
Players who stood out especially were backs Jack O’Sullivan and John Crowley,
Darragh McCarthy and Ted Wiseman at midfield and up front the Fitzgerald
brothers and Conor Hanley.
Team: Stephen Murnane, Jase Cronin, Jack
O’Sullivan, Dylan Kelleher, James Collins, John Crowley, Ted Wiseman, Darragh
McCarthy, Conor Hanley, Dylan McCarthy, Rory Fitzgerald, Hugh Fitzgerald.
On Wednesday, May 30th the U13
footballers played Castlehaven away. After a close and exciting game the home
team took the league points on a score of Castlehaven 2-10, Bantry Blues 2-07.
Billy Foley and Shane McSweeney got the goals for Bantry with Dylan Carthy,
Shane Murray and Sean Downey among the pointscorers. Eoin Black was playing
particularly well until he had to retire with an injury, others who shone were
Owen Minihane and Liam De La Cour in goals.
On May 26th the U12 Bantry
hurlers were winners by 5-04 to Mizen Rovers 5-01 in Goleen. James O’Shea was
top goalscorer with two green flags, Patrick Barry, Billy Foley and Shane
Murray getting the other goals. Billy Foley and Shane Murray got two points
apiece. Everyone played very well in this hard fought game and Blues thoroughly
deserved the win.