Bantry U14
footballers bowed out of the championship on Wednesday, July 17th
when they went down to Kilmeen in Dunmanway. Kilmeen got off to a flying start
and had registered 1-2 before Shane Murray opened Bantry’s account with a
pointed free. Tom Flynn added another but Kilmeen stretched their lead with
another two points. Shane McSweeney reduced the deficit with a goal but this
was cancelled out when Kilmeen hit back with another to put them ahead by
double scores, 2-4 to 1-2. Bantry continued to battle and when they were
awarded a penalty Shane Murray made no mistake with the kick. When he followed
up with a goal from play it put his team in the lead, Bantry 3-2, Kilmeen 2-4. Blues
advantage was short-lived when Kilmeen hit 1-1 before the interval to put them
back in front by 3-5 to 3-2 at half time.
Bantry needed a
good start to the second period but it was their opposition who extended their
lead with a goal. Shane Murray pointed a free but Kilmeen replied with another.
Blues fought on and Eoghan
Minihane hit a point but once again this was cancelled out by another and when
the final whistle sounded, the score stood Kilmeen 4-7, Bantry Blues 3-4. This
was a battling performance from Bantry with everyone giving their all but it is
Kilmeen who progress to the next round.
Team: James McGlinchey, Michael Hanley, Eric
Dowling, Kevin Coakley, Eoin Black, Liam De La Cour, Sean
Downey, David O’Sullivan, Eoghan Minihane (0-1), Billy Foley, Shane McSweeney(1-0), Liam Coakley,
Shane Murray(2-2, 2F,1P), Tom Flynn(0-1), Ronan Shiels. Jack Maguire, James
Crowley, Mathew Barry, Shane Buckley, Tim O’Driscoll.
On Saturday evening the U16 hurlers lost 3-10 to
1-08 to Kilbree in the league game played in Bantry.