Bantry’s U14 hurlers finished all square
with Argideen Rangers in a thrilling West Cork
final played in Skibbereen on Sunday evening last.
From the throw-in Blues were up for this
and were two up with points from Barry O’Sullivan before Rangers got going. The
Timoleague lads pushed hard for a goal, forcing two great saves from Shane
Murray before they hit the net. Argideen followed up with a point before James
Lavin steadied the ship for the Blues with converted 65. Ronan O’Mahony
levelled matters with a pointed free but Rangers edged ahead with a point from
play before the break.
Bantry needed a good start to the second
half but it was Timoleague who pushed on to score 1-03 without reply and things
were looking bleak for Bantry at this stage. James Lavin reduced the deficit
with his second 65 and Bantry began press forward. Substitute Tom Daly finished
to the net and suddenly there was a goal in it. Rangers got a point from play
but Bantry’s second substitute Billy Foley was on hand to get Blues second
goal. The game was at fever pitch at this stage as Timoleague put over another
point. With time running out James Lavin dropped a long free into the area and
Billy Foley got a touch on the sliotar to get the goal Blues needed to put them
ahead by the minimum. Now it was Rangers turn to chase the equaliser and it
came in the shape of 65 just before the final whistle.
Final score: Bantry Blues 3-05, Argideen
Rangers 2-08.
In a game where no-one deserved to lose
perhaps the draw was the fairest result and all who were there will look
forward to the replay on Saturday next at 2.00.
Team: Shane Murray, Tadgh McCarthy, Robyn
McCarthy, Gary Butler, James Lavin (0-2, 65’s), Sean Thornton, Ronan O’Mahony (0-1,F),
Aiden O’Sullivan, Daniel Murray, Jack McCarthy, Barry O’Sullivan, Shane
McSweeney. Subs: Tom Daly (1-0), Billy Foley (2-0). Sean Cronin, Eoin Minihane,
Ronan Shiels, James McGlinchey, Matthew Barry, Kevin Coakley, Patrick Casey,
Mike Hanley, Eric Dowling.
On the previous Tuesday evening the U16
hurlers had a big win over Kilmacabea in the championship. They led by 2-9 to a
goal at half time with John Lavin
scoring 1-03, Tim Foley 1-1, Sean O’Leary 0-3 and Anthony Hanley and Shane
McCarthy with a point apiece. Bantry emptied the bench in the second half and
went on to record a 5-14 to 1-3 win over a Kilmacabea side who battled to the
end but were up against a very strong Blues side.
Team: Cathal McCarthy, Killian O’Sullivan,
Tim Cronin, Paddy O’Shea, Eoin Lynch, Owen O’Flynn, Sean O’Leary (0-3,1F,
1-65), Sean Hodnett, Tim Foley (2-4, 3F), Shane McCarthy (0-2), Anthony Hanley (2-2), John
Lavin (1-3). Subs: Shane Keevers, Kieran Hanley, Arthur
Coakley, Stephen Hanley, James Lavin.
Monday evening last saw the visit of
Clonakilty U16 footballers to Wolfe
Tone Park
for their league fixture. Blues were very sluggish in the opening half and were
0-9 to 1-3 behind at the interval, a Daniel Murphy goal just before the break
keeping them in the game. They showed much more commitment in the second half
and turned things around to run out 3-09 to 0-12 winners. Scorers: Daniel
Murphy 2-1, Tim Foley 0-3,2F, Mark Keohane 1-0, Shane McCarthy 0-2, Arthur
Coakley 0-1, Sean O’Leary 0-1.