Minor Footballers Off To Flying Start in Championship

Bantry Blues minor footballers had a great start to their championship campaign when they won by a decent margin against Macroom in Drimoleague on Sunday last.

The sides looked even in the opening exchanges with Macroom kicking a few wides but Tim Foleys point from 45 metres out settled the Blues. Shane McCarthy knocked over his sides second and Seán O’Leary made it three when pointed following a pass from Shane Delaney. Macroom opened their account but Joe Murphy capitalised on a ball from Donal Casey to put Bantry four points to one up. Blues looked to be well on top at this stage and Tim Foleys nearly opened the gap further when his shot came back off the crossbar. However it was Macroom who hit the next two points to bring the margin back to one. Bantry got back in their stride when corner forward Mark Keohane captured Tim Foleys sideline kick and finished to the net. Joe Murphy converted a free and then Shane Delaney ran at the Macroom defence and kicked his side further in front. Donal Casey finished the first half scoring with a point, to leave Blues looking good at 1-07 to 3 points in front.

Shane McCarthy showed his soccer skills when he scored an unorthodox point from close in soon after the restart. Even though Bantry were well ahead on the scoreboard Macroom continued to fight and pulled back a point from a 45 following a point blank save from Michael Casey. They kicked the next point but Peter Kelleher put an end to any comeback when he got his side’s second goal and made the lead nine points. Mark Keohane tacked on another point when he fielded a high ball, turned his man and shot over the bar. Substitute Gerald O’Sullivan looked to be going all the way when he made a great run through the heart of the Macroom defence only to be hauled down. Tim Foley pointed the resultant free and this proved the final score of the game with Bantry Blues 2-10 to 0-5 at the final whistle.  

As a spectacle the game was closer than the score suggested with the Bantry defence having to be on their toes. In that department Jimmy O’Leary was rock solid in the corner, with Killian O’Sullivan giving a sweeping display in the half back line. Seán O’Leary put in a very solid hour at midfield and with every forward scoring it was a satisfying day out for management and supporters.

Team: Michael Casey, Jimmy O’Leary, Eoin Lynch, Ayrton O’Shea, Killian O’Sullivan, Tim Cronin, Anthony Hanley, Seán O’Leary (0-1), Joe Murphy (0-2,1F), Tim Foley (0-2,1F), Peter Kelleher (1-0), Shane Delaney (0-1), Shane McCarthy (0-2), Donal Casey (0-1), Mark Keohane (1-1). Subs: Stephen Hanley, John Lavin, Brian Murphy, Gerald O’Sullivan, Owen O’Flynn, Arthur Coakley.

Later on Sunday evening, the U13 footballers went down to a strong St Brogans side in the championship game played in Dunmanway.

Memorable Day Out for U8's.

U8's at recent blitz in Bishopstown

A large group of Bantry Blues U7 and U8 footballers had a great day out in Cork recently when they attended the Allianz League game between Cork and Mayo. Earlier in the day they played in a mini blitz in Bishopstown before heading on to Páirc Uí Chaoimh. In a game which Cork narrowly lost, the lads were cheered up when they met some of their heroes afterwards. All Ireland winning captain Graham Canty introduced the group to county stars Mark Collins, Fintan Goold and Daniel Goulding. The lads were shown the gym and told all about the training the county players do in preparation for big games. Graham told the young Bantry players that he and the rest of the county squad started playing at an early age just like them and encouraged them to enjoy playing and training. Questions were invited from the young lads and they had a chat about the game and what they thought of it. It was a great day out for players and their trainers and all came away with great memories of their trip.

There was a very good attendance at combined U16 and minor hurling training on Saturday evening last. It is intended to keep this slot for this group to facilitate players who are away during the week so minor players especially are encouraged to make this session. Times will be confirmed by text message.

On Monday last the U13 footballers travelled to Ballingeary to play Naomh Aban. Even though Bantry scored five goals in this game, on the evening the home side proved too strong and took the league points. The Blues goalscorers were Shane Murray, Kevin Clifford and Paddy O’Neill.

Two of our teams are in championship action this weekend. On Sunday at 2.00 the minor footballers take on Macroom in Drimoleague. Later in the day the U13 footballers are up against St Brogans of Bandon at 7.00 in Dunmanway. Please support.

U13 Footballers Win in Close Contest

Friday evening last saw the visit of Ballinascarty U13 footballers to Wolfe Tone Park to play the game that had been cancelled on the previous Monday due to weather. This turned out to be a very even contest with Bantry edging it in the end by three points.

Blues got the ideal start when Kevin Clifford rounded the keeper and put his team a goal up for the games opening score. Ballinascarty replied with a point but Kevin Clifford pointed off his left to keep the goal advantage. The sides exchanged points with Shane Crowley pointing from a free for the home side, then the team in red struck with a goal to make it all square. Kuba Ratajczak restored Bantry’s lead with a pointed free and a further exchange of points left the Blues ahead by the minimum at the break, Timmy O’Driscoll getting the last score of the half. HT score 1-4 to 1-3.

Ballinascarty came out all guns blazing after the interval and scored three quick points without reply. James Crowley’s point for Bantry point was followed by a further 1-2 from the visitors to put them six points ahead at 2-8 to 1-5. A goal from Billy Foley reduced the margin but Ballinascarty pointed from a free shortly afterwards. It was time for Bantry to fight their way back into this game and to their credit they upped the tempo. Shane Murray struck with a goal, followed up by James Crowley’s second point of the evening. Shane Murray hit another goal and now Blues were a goal to the good. Ballinascarty were not gone and kicked a point but David O’Sullivan roved forward from centre back and shot two points in succession to edge his side further in front. Ballinascarty fought to the end and got the last point of the game but Bantry had done enough and ran out winners by 4-8 (20) to 2-11 (17).

In a most entertaining game both sides displayed a never-say-die attitude. In goals for Bantry, Killian Crowley was outstanding, clearing his lines time after time. Other players who caught the eye were Greg Cotter, Charlie Lavin, Kuba Ratajczak, Ayrton Doyle and Tom Flynn.

Team: Killian Crowley, Greg Cotter, Billy Foley (1-0), Shane Buckley, Paddy O’Neill, David O’Sullivan (0-2), Matthew Harley, Kuba Ratajczak (0-1,F), Shane Crowley (0-1,F), Timmy O’Driscoll (0-1), Shane Murray (2-0), Ayrton Doyle, James Crowley (0-2), Tom Flynn, Kevin Clifford (1-1), Charlie Lavin, Daniel Downey, Patrick Barry, Luke O’Shaughnessy.

Graham Canty Special Guest at Medals Evening

 

Bantry Blues sponsors representatives at Medals Evening. L-R: Tony O’Shea, Maritime Hotel, Margie McSweeney, O’Keeffe’s SuperValu Bantry, Graham Canty, Tommy Murray, Murray Bros Painters, Finbarr O’Shea, Bantry Credit Union. (Photo: Adrian Cronin)

 

Artist Danny Smith with Graham Canty. (Photo: Adrian Cronin)

Bantry Blues underage medal presentation night was held in the Maritime Hotel on Friday evening last. All Ireland winning captain Graham Canty was the guest of honour and got a great welcome from the assembled audience. Graham spoke before the medal presentation commenced and emphasised the importance of club. He told of his pride in winning his league medal last year with Bantry Blues. The Cork captain told the underage players there that they were lucky to have a group of committed mentors and asked that they listen to their trainers and concentrate and work hard on their skills. The Alliance Football League and Munster Football Championship cups were on display and Graham was kept busy posing for photographs afterwards.

The U16 squads were presented with their Football County League, West Cork Hurling Championship, Hurling County League and West Cork Hurling League medals. The hurling squad were also presented with a set of Bantry Blues hoodies organised by their trainer Danny O’Leary and sponsored by Bank House Whiddy, J.J. Crowley’s Bar, Dave Hourihan, Tim O’Leary and Tom Conway.

Most Improved Players awards were also presented by Graham. The winners in football were: U10 Dylan Kelleher; U11 Matthew Harley; U12 David O’Sullivan; U13 Eoin Black; U14

Barry O’Sullivan, U16 Kieran Hanley; Minor Jimmy O’Leary. Hurling recipients were: U10 Dylan McCarthy; U12 Oisin Bennett; U13 Matthew Barry; U14 Aiden O’Sullivan; U16 Arthur Coakley and Minor Colm James.

As a mark of appreciation, Graham Canty was presented with a painting by artist Danny Smith of Graham in the blue of Bantry.

Our thanks to Adrian Cronin of Bantry Photo, who took the pictures on the night. Copies of individual presentation pictures are available from Bantry Photo, New St. Phone 027 55016 or 087 955 8050

U13 Footbllers Win Opening Game at Home

Our U13 footballers opened their league campaign with a good win over O’Donovan Rossa in a bitterly cold Wolfe Tone Park on Monday evening last.

Starting exchanges were even and both sets of defences gave up nothing in the opening period. Kevin Clifford finally made the breakthrough for Bantry with a well taken goal. From the resulting kickout Shane Murray intercepted and finished to the net. When David O’Sullivan hit Bantry’s third a few moments later it put the Blues firmly in control. Billy Foley was next to figure with a point but the Skibbereen lads battled away and hit back with 1-1 to reduce the deficit. However further points from Murray and Foley and a goal by the lively Timmy O’Driscoll left Blues ahead by 4-04 to 1-01 at half time.

First half goalkeeper James Crowley switched to the forwards and hit Bantrys opening point of the second half. The home team kept up the pressure and finished strongly, running out 7-06 to 2-02 winners as the light faded. 

This was an encouraging opening game for the Blues with Shane Buckley, Paddy O’Neill and Matthew Harley playing well in defence and Shane Crowley doing a great job at midfield. This teams next outing is a home fixture versus Ballinascarty on Monday evening next at 7.00.

Team: James Crowley (1-1), James Buckley, Greg Cotter, Shane Buckley, Paddy O’Neill, David O’Sullivan (1-0), Matthew Harley, Billy Foley (1-4), Shane Crowley, Ayrton Doyle, Shane Murray (2-01,1 Pen.), Timmy O’Driscoll (1-0), Charlie Lavin, Killian Crowley, Kevin Clifford (1-0), Michael Cronin, Patrick Barry.

The annual Medal Presentation evening takes place in the Maritime Hotel on Friday evening, April 5th at 6.30 pm. All underage players, parents, supporters and friends are invited to celebrate our successes of 2012. Each Bantry Blues underage player will receive a participation medal and Most Improved Player awards will be presented for each age group, hurling and football. The successful U16 football and hurling teams will be presented with their medals by our special guest. There will be raffles and spot prizes on the evening.

Please support the Bantry Blues fundraising event "Surviving Santa Ponsa" on this Saturday evening, April 6th at 8.00 pm at the Maritime Hotel, tickets €15.