On an excellent pitch surface in Leap last
Saturday, Bantry Blues U16 hurlers overcame St James in an exciting contest to
win their league final.
St James looked the livelier in the opening
minutes and hit the first point of the game. Killian O’Sullivan replied with a
fine point, only to have it cancelled out by St James second. As Bantry began
to settle they started to create chances and Seánie O’Leary equalised with a 65
and put his team in front moments later from a free. St James were next to score
when Blues keeper Cathal McCarthy parried a piledriver over the bar and this
was followed by another point from the Ardfield men.
Arthur Coakley took the pressure off Bantry
with a well taken score which was quickly replied to from St James. Killian O’Sullivan
notched up his second point of the day but Ardfield came back with another
within minutes. A John Lavin free put the team’s level again and two points
from Seánie O’Leary put Bantry ahead by 0-08 to 0-06 at the half time whistle.
St James got the break they were looking
for just after the restart when a low drive from a free made its way through a
crowded area to the net to put them back in front. Shane McCarthy put the teams
back on terms again with a fine point only for St James to go ahead again by
the minimum. The fleet footed Shane McCarthy shot his second point in reply and
when Seánie O’Leary converted a 65, Blues were back in front. Points from Shane
McCarthy and Killian O’Sullivan extended Blues lead but St James kept coming
back and cut the lead back to two. Shane McCarthy continued his sharpshooting
and looked to have put Bantry in a strong position when he hit two consecutive
points to put Blues four in front. As was the story of this game St James came
back with two and Bantry held the most dangerous with a minute to go. However a
point from John Lavin proved to be the final score of the game and Bantry ran
out three point winners on a score of Bantry Blues 0-16, St James 1-10.
The result of this thrilling game was in doubt
right up to the end with great scores from both teams throughout. Cathal
McCarthy was in control in goals with Shane Keevers and especially Eoin Lynch
excellent at the back. Seánie O’Leary played a captains part in driving his
team on from midfield and all the forwards played well with a fine return of
three points from Killian O’Sullivan. Special mention must go to Shane McCarthy
who had a superb second half, running at the St James defence and scoring five
points from play in the period.
This team now progresses to the county
stages of the league competition.
Team: Cathal McCarthy, Shane Keevers, Eoin Lynch, Paddy O’Shea, Killian O’Sullivan
(0-3), Owen O’Flynn, Seánie O’Leary (0-5, 2 65’s, 2F), Sean Hodnett, Arthur
Coakley (0-1), Shane McCarthy (0-5), John Lavin (0-2, 1F), Anthony Hanley.
Subs: Tim Cronin (Owen O’Flynn), Stephen Hanley (Paddy O’Shea).