Despite a great second half comeback, Blues
U16 hurlers were beaten by three points in a thrilling county final with
Grenagh in Macroom on Saturday last.
Tim Foley got Bantry off the mark with an
early pointed free but Grenagh appeared to settle the quicker of the two teams
and replied with two points from play. They built on this with a goal to
stretch their lead but towards the end of the first quarter Blues began to warm
to the task and get to grips in defence. Tim Foley was again on the mark with
two frees and a 65 to narrow the gap to a point. Grenagh came back with two
points from play but Tim kept the scoreboard ticking over for Bantry when he
pointed from his second 65. Grenagh pushed further ahead with a pointed free
and with half time looming they struck with their second goal. Tim Foley
replied with a point from play just before the break to leave his team with a
total of 6 points to Grenagh’s 2-05 at the interval.
Tim Foley was accurate again from a free
shortly after the restart but this was cancelled out by a Grenagh point. Bantry
looked to have upped their game as they tried to get back into the contest and
Tim Foley reduced the deficit with yet another free. Kieran Hanley was brought
on to join his brother in the full forward line. Blues were pushing hard for a
goal but the Grenagh keeper brought off an incredible double save at this stage
to deny them. Seán O’Leary ran at the Grenagh defence and shot over a point and
Shane McCarthy followed up with another to narrow the gap to two. Grenagh
brought their lead back to three points with a converted free but then Anthony
Hanley broke through the strike the equalising goal. Blues were on top all over
at this point and when wing back Owen O’Flynn blasted over a point to put his
team in front it looked as if it might be their day. However when a long ball
into the Bantry area broke loose Grenagh capitalised and hit the goal that
broke Blues hearts. Bantry pushed for the goal they needed but again the
Grenagh keeper was again too good and it was Grenagh who got the last point of
the game to leave the final score: Grenagh 3-08, Bantry Blues 1-11.
Bantry can hold their heads high after
pushing Grenagh all the way in this game. Every player gave his all and it
would be unfair the single out anyone over his team mates. Their fighting
spirit nearly won the day and great credit is due to trainers Danny O’Leary and
Dave Hourihan for the work they put into this team in winning West
Cork and getting to a county final.
Team: Cathal McCarthy, Killian O’Sullivan,
Tim Cronin, Paddy O’Shea, Eoin Lynch, Owen O’Flynn (0-1), Seán O’Leary (0-1),
Sean Hodnett, Tim Foley (0-8, 5F, 2 65’s), Shane McCarthy (0-1), Anthony Hanley
(1-0), John Lavin. Subs: Kieran
Hanley, Arthur Coakley, Stephen Hanley, Shane Keevers, James Lavin.
Bantry’s U16 footballers play Glanmire in
the county semi final on Saturday next, details yet to be announced. Please
support them as they push for a place in the county final.