Bantry’s U10 hurlers took part in the “All Ireland” U10 Monster hurling blitz in Clonakilty on
Saturday morning last. A total of thirty teams from all over West Cork took part in this well organised event. Blues
played Crosshaven in their first match, Bandon in their second and Kilbree in their last game. Missing a few players, Bantry did
very well to come away with a win under their belts. As the games went on the
team improved and put all their training to good effect. Players who lined out
on the day were James Collins, James Crowley, John Crowley, Conor
Hanley, Dara McCarthy, Dillon McCarthy and Jack O'Sullivan. All of these
players are U9’s and so are already looking forward to playing again next year
in the All Ireland blitz.
Later that day the U16 hurlers recorded a
comprehensive win over Dripsey in the county semi-final at Castletown-Kinneigh.
With a county final slot at stake, Bantry were up for it from the throw in. John Lavin hit the opening point only for Dripsey to
equalise. Tim Foley shot his sides second, followed up by a Seán O’Leary point.
John Lavin opened the flood gates
when he shot to the net and within minutes Anthony Hanley had added a second
goal. Bantry backs had shut up shop and the forwards went on to give an
exhibition of shooting to put the game out of reach by half time with a score
of 5-11 to 0-5. It was more of the same in the second half with the selectors
giving all the subs a run in preparation for the final against Grenagh in Páirc Uí Rinn,
date to be announced.
Team: Cathal McCarthy, Killian O’Sullivan,
Tim Cronin, Paddy O’Shea, Eoin Lynch, Owen O’Flynn, Seán O’Leary (1-2), Sean
Hodnett (0-1), Tim Foley (1-9, 3F), Shane McCarthy (0-1), John Lavin (1-5, 1F), Anthony Hanley (5-2). Subs,
all used: Shane Keevers, Kieran Hanley, Arthur Coakley, James Lavin.
On Wednesday, September 5th,
Bantry’s U13 hurlers went down to St Marys by four points in the West Cork
Final played in Dunmanway. In a high scoring and exciting game played on a
beautiful evening, St Marys got the early scores to put them into a lead they
never lost. Bantry pushed them all the way with great displays from Kevin Coakley, Shane Mc Sweeney, Liam De La
Cour, Eoghan
Minehane and Eric Dowling. Dylan Carty was majestic in goal but in the end the
cup was heading to Ballineen and Enniskeane with the
final score: St Marys 2-12, Bantry Blues 4-02.