Our U16 footballers progressed to the county final
after a great display against Passage in the semi-final played in Clonakilty on
Sunday last.
Bantry were on the attack almost immediately from the
throw in with Gavin Cronin’s shot for a point coming back off the post. A
moment later Nicholas O’Sullivan’s volley at goal cannoned off the crossbar and
Bantry unbelievably hit the woodwork a third time before Tim Foley settled
things with a point. Shane McCarthy and Arthur Coakley hit two more and then from
a Tim Foley free kick Nicholas O’Sullivan directed the ball to the net to put
Blues 1-03 up.
Passage got a break soon after when Blues full back
appeared to have the situation under control but lost his footing in the wet
conditions, allowing the full forward in to shoot a goal. Passage West narrowed
the gap further with a pointed free, but then followed a great period for
Bantry. Tim Foley won the ball at midfield from a kick out. He ran at the Passage
defence, played a one-two and hit the net with a rocket. Blues took over at
midfield with Gavin Cronin and Killian O’Sullivan dominating that sector and
points from Arthur Coakley, Shane McCarthy and a free from Tim Foley made
Bantry’s total for the half 2-06 to 1-03 at the break.
Passage had won two of their games with comebacks on
their run to the semi final and Bantry were well aware of this. It was the
Blues who started the second half in a storm with Gavin Cronin shooting a great
point. Arthur Coakley broke through the Passage defence and his shot clipped
the crossbar for his third point of the game. The lively Shane McCarthy popped
over Bantry’s third of the half a few moments later. Their opposition pulled
back a point but from the kick out Arthur Coakley won possession and carried
before laying on a pass to Tim Foley who drove to the net for Blues third goal.
Bantry were in top gear at this stage and Shane McCarthy pointed from a Daniel
Murray pass and followed up with a goal that put the issue beyond doubt.
Further points followed from Arthur Coakley and Tim Foley and at the final
whistle the score stood Bantry Blues 4-13, Passage West 1-04.
The scoreline does not reflect the work it took for
Bantry to carve out this result. On a day of continuous rain it was tough going
with big hits going in all over the pitch. The backs had to be on their toes especially
in the first half but great displays by Kieran Hanley at centre back and Ronan
O’Mahony at full were the foundation of this win. All of the backs had to be up
to the task but each one of the six stuck to the job and cancelled out the
scoring threat.
In the middle of the field, the trio of Gavin Cronin,
Killian O’Sullivan and Tim Foley were immense and carried the fight to Passage
time after time. It wasn’t an easy day for forwards but the score amassed tells
the story of their effort. In the other semi Mallow overcame Clonakilty so this
type performance will have to be repeated and maybe bettered to claim the prize
of a county championship.
Team: Michael Casey, Fionn O’Driscoll, Ronan
O’Mahony, Savo Dragos, Sean Hodnett, Kieran Hanley, Owen O’Flynn, Gavin Cronin
(0-1), Killian O’Sullivan, Arthur Coakley (0-4), Tim Foley (2-04,2F), Shane
Keevers, Nicholas O’Sullivan (1-0), Shane McCarthy (1-04), Daniel Murray. Subs
used: Aaron Barry, Patrick Casey, Michael Healy, James Lavin. Subs: Aiden
O’Sullivan, Barry O’Sullivan, Russell Barry, Sean Thornton, Eoghan O’Shea.
The final is fixed for 2.30
on Sunday next in Cloughduv, this team deserves your support so please go and
cheer them on.