Bantry’s U16 hurlers finished their season
in style when they won the County
League title with a
comprehensive win over Banteer at Clougduv on Saturday last.
From the off Bantry were on the attack with
John Lavin’s ground shot clipping
the base of the post to go wide within the first minute. Banteers goalkeeper
denied Bantry with a succession of saves before Tim Foley put over a free to
get the Blues off the mark. Sean Hodnett hit Bantry’s second point and finally
Anthony Hanley beat the brilliant Banteer keeper to get his side’s first goal.
Banteer opened their account with a pointed free which was replied to with one
from play by Tim Foley. Banteer converted a 65 and this proved to be their last
score of the half as Bantry took over, scoring six points in succession from
Tim Foley, Seán O’Leary, John Lavin
and Shane McCarthy. Half time score 1-09 to 0-2.
Shane McCarthy took up where he had left
off from the restart with another point, quickly followed with another from John Lavin. Anthony Hanley shot his second goal to
kill off any chance of a comeback. Banteer did score two points from play over
the second half but Bantry went on the put up a score of 3-19 before the final
whistle, Arthur Coakley taking his goal well.
Though Bantry were well ahead on the
scoreboard Banteer’s defence stuck to their task to the end. Sean Hodnett and
Paddy O’Shea stood out particularly for the Blues but everyone played their
part and it was an opportunity for team manager Danny O’Leary to give all his
subs a run.
Team: Cathal McCarthy, Killian O’Sullivan, Eoin
Lynch, Owen O’Flynn, Tim Cronin, Paddy O’Shea, Seán O’Leary (0-5,1F), Sean
Hodnett (0-2), Tim Foley (0-6,3F), Shane McCarthy (0-2), Anthony Hanley (2-0), John Lavin (0-3). Subs: (all used) Arthur Coakley
(1-1), Shane Keevers, Kieran Hanley, James Lavin, Danny Hutchinson.