It was championship week for Blues U14’s in
both codes and the footballers and hurlers both came through their games with
flying colours.
On Thursday evening, June 21st,
Bantry’s footballers faced up to St Brogans in Enniskeane in the first round of
the U14 A championship. They settled quickly and had a point from Patrick Casey
to their credit within minutes. Centre forward Daniel Murray was next to raise
a white flag, Jack McCarthy hit another. Another point apiece from both players
put the Blues into a five point to no score lead. Bandon were given some hope
when a speculative ball dropped into the net but goalkeeper Barry O’Sullivan
brought off a great save moments later to kill off any chance of a comeback.
Daniel Murray hit a point and a goal before half time to give Bantry a lead of
1-06 to a goal at the break.
St Brogans got the first point after the
restart but it was all Bantry in the second half as they went on to score 4-10
in the period. All six forwards got in on the act plus midfielder Ronan O’Mahony. In
defence Savo Dragos took care of business at full back, ably assisted by Sean
Thornton. At the end, Bantry had amassed a score of 5-16 to 1-05 but can be
sure that sterner tests lie ahead if they are to repeat the success of last
years team.
Team: Barry O’Sullivan, Kevin Coakley, Savo
Dragos, Sean Thornton, Aiden O’Sullivan, Gavin Cronin, Eoghan O’Shea, Fionn
O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Mahony (0-2), Dylan Carthy (0-1), Daniel Murray (4-5,2F),
Shane McSweeney (0-1,F), Jack O’Neill (0-1), Jack McCarthy (0-2), Patrick Casey
(1-3). Subs used: Liam de la Cour, James Lavin, Russell Barry.
Ballydehob was the venue on Monday evening
last when Mizen Rovers were Blues hurler’s opposition in the first round of
their championship. The Goleen lads got off to a flying start when they got an
early goal. James Lavin opened Bantry’s account with a pointed free and Ronan
O’Mahony narrowed the gap with one from play. Daniel Murray shot Blues into the
lead with a goal but Mizen replied with a point to leave the minimum between
the teams. Substitute Eoin Minihane made the breakthrough with nearly his first
touch when he won possession and hit the net with a rocket. Barry O’Sullivan
knocked over a point to finish the first half scoring at Bantry Blues 2-03 to
Mizen Rovers 1-01.
Rovers needed a good start to the second
half and did get the first point after the throw-in. Blues got their rhythm
back and notched up four unanswered points. Jack McCarthy knocked over a point
following short pass from a 65, Barry O’Sullivan hit two from play and James
Lavin converted a 65. Mizen raised a white flag but Shane McSweeney, who just
got better as the game went on, widened the gap with a well taken goal. Daniel
Murray, Tadgh McCarthy and Barry O’Sullivan followed up with points. Even
though Bantry were, at this stage well in the lead, Mizen Rovers refused to
give in and kept playing to the end. They hit another point but Shane McSweeney
kicked a point under pressure and Daniel Murray pucked over another to leave
the score at the final whistle: Bantry Blues 3-12 to Mizen Rovers 1-04.
This was a satisfying win for Bantry with
Tadgh McCarthy giving a great display in defence. Goalie Shane Murray was very
sure with James Lavin, Dylan Carthy and Gary Butler keeping the Goleen attack
in check. Ronan O’Mahony was everywhere and along with the scorers Aiden
O’Sullivan made a big contribution in attack.
Team: Shane Murray, James Lavin
(0-2,1F,1-65), Gary Butler, Dylan Carthy, Tadgh McCarthy (0-1), Ronan O’Mahony
(0-1), Barry O’Sullivan (0-4), Shane McSweeney (1-1), Daniel Murray (1-2), Jack
McCarthy (0-1), Aiden O’Sullivan, Matthew Barry. James McGlinchey, Eoin
Minihane (1-0), Keelan O’Sullivan.
The U12 hurlers of Bantry travelled to
Aughaville on Saturday last to play Tadhg Mac Carthaigh. This proved to be the
proverbial game of two halves with the strong wind a big factor. The host’s had
the advantage of the elements for the first half and opened a lead of 7-03 to
Bantry’s 0-1 by half time, Shane Murray having scored from a 65.
Blues made some positional changes with
James O’Shea taking over in goals for the second half and Charlie Lavin joining
the attack. With the wind now at their backs, Bantry started to turn the tide
with goals from Patrick Barry and David O’Sullivan and one by Shane Murray from
a close-in free. James Crowley then hit a purple patch, hitting three goals and
a point in a row. Shane Murray got Bantry’s last goal but time ran out for the
Blues and the Caheragh lads finished ahead on a score of 8-04 to 7-02.
This was almost an incredible comeback with
each Bantry player giving everything to the cause but unfortunately for them, Tadhg
Mac Carthaigh had got too far ahead when they had the wind at their backs.
Team: Charlie Lavin, Oisin Bennett, James
Buckley, Greg Cotter, Matthew Harley, Shane Murray, David O’Sullivan, James
Crowley, Patrick Barry, John Crowley, James O’Shea, Mike Cronin.