COunty Champions 2013 U16 Premier 2

Underage 19/11/13

U16 Premier 2 County Champions 2013

The bonfire at Wolfe Tone Park blazed and the people of Bantry were on The Square to welcome home the U16 footballers as County Champions on Saturday evening last. At the second time of asking they had made no mistake against Mallow and had bridged a twenty two year gap since the last underage football county title was won.

Conditions were ideal compared with the drawn game as the ball was thrown in for the county final replay in Cloughduv. Bantry looked from the off to be ready for battle and on the first attack the Mallow keeper had to be on his toes to stop a shot at goal from Arthur Coakley. A few moments later midfielder Killian O’Sullivan opened the scoring with a well taken point.

There then followed a period where Mallow settled and caused Bantry problems all over. They got on top at midfield and put the Blues defence under severe pressure. Keeper Michael Casey pulled off a great save but Mallow got off the mark shortly afterwards with a pointed free. They tacked on two more points from play and when they converted a penalty for a footblock in the area Bantry looked in all sorts of trouble. Another point from the North Cork side and the score now stood at 1-04 to a single point. Bantry now needed to up the workrate and this they did with midfielders Gavin Cronin and Killian O’Sullivan leading the charge. The Blues started to get the ball into the danger areas and their chance of a second score came when they were awarded a kickable free. Tim Foleys attempt came back off the post to him and he made no mistake with the rebound. Captain Shane McCarthy knocked over one from play and now it was Bantry who were swarming forward. Corner back Savo Dragas popped up to chip over a point and when Tim Foley converted a free just before the half time whistle to leave it Bantry Blues 0-5 to 1-04 there was only one team with the momentum.

The lads in blue were on the attack from the restart with Arthur Coakley crashing a shot off the crossbar in the first minute of the second half. Mallow did point from a free but it was in the following twenty minutes that Bantry played the football that won the county title. With Ronan O’Mahony giving an exhibition at full back and all of the backs winning their battles, Blues launched wave after wave of attack. Arthur Coakley and Daniel Murray kicked points and then came move of the game. Bantry won possession in their own back line and played the ball the length of the field for Shane McCarthy to bury the ball in the Mallow net. Next came a great solo run through the middle from Gavin Cronin who coolly took his point. Arthur Coakley knocked over a close in free and the rampant Tim Foley shot over the bar following a run from midfield a few moments later. Tim tacked on another to make it 1-06 without reply for Bantry.

Mallow needed goals at this point and came in search of them but Michael Casey made a string of crucial saves to deny them. They did get a point from play from a rebound following yet another stop from Michael but this proved to be their last score of the game as Blues defence held firm and three more points from Shane McCarthy, Tim Foley and Daniel Murray left Bantry winners on a scoreline of 1-14 to 1-06. Scenes of unbridled joy followed the final whistle from the excellent referee, Mark Maher, as mentors, subs and supporters rushed on to the field to celebrate with the players.

Following the cup presentation, captain Shane McCarthy thanked team sponsors Biggs Super Valu, team manager Arthur Coakley, mentors Gerald McCarthy, Tommy Murray, Tony O’Shea and Brian Gleeson, all the squad who worked so hard in training all year and all who helped in any way with the team.

To go behind in the first half and have the character to turn it around and win in such an emphatic fashion demonstrates the spirit this group possesses. The backs defended as a unit with discipline and bravery, led by man-of-the match at full back Ronan O’Mahony. The diamond in the middle of the field of Kieran Hanley, Killian O’Sullivan, Gavin Cronin and Tim Foley got on top and were the platform from where Bantry launched the winning push. All over the field the workrate was immense and as a team they got their just rewards in taking home the cup as worthy county champions.

Team: Michael Casey, Fionn O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Mahony, Savo Dragas (0-1), Sean Hodnett, Kieran Hanley, Owen O’Flynn, Killian O’Sullivan (0-1), Gavin Cronin (0-1), Arthur Coakley (0-2,1F), Tim Foley (0-5,1F), Shane Keevers, Nicholas O’Sullivan, Shane McCarthy (1-2), Daniel Murray (0-2). Subs used: Eoghan O’Shea, Michael Healy, Aaron Barry, James Lavin. Subs: Russell Barry, Jack McCarthy, Aiden O’Sullivan, Barry O’Sullivan.

Photo Caption: Bantry Blues U16 Footballers celebrate as County Champions in Cloughduv on Saturday last. Photo: Ted O’Keeffe.

UNDERAGE 12/11/13

U16 Footballers Draw in County Final.

Bantry Blues U16 footballers must do it all again on Saturday next in Cloughduv at 2.00 after playing out a thrilling draw in their County Final against Mallow at that venue on Sunday last.

In a downpour, it was first blood to Mallow when they pointed from a free. Bantry had a couple of attacks following this and took the lead when a 45 from Tim Foley dropped in around the square and Arthur Coakley finished it to the net. Shane McCarthy and Nicholas O’Sullivan both had options at goal following this but wisely took their points to put Blues 1-02 to 0-1 up. Mallow pulled one back from a free but Tim Foley and Shane McCarthy extended Bantry’s lead further with points from play. Once again Mallow were accurate from the placed ball as halftime approached but this was cancelled out by a Daniel Murray point before the break leaving the score Bantry Blues 1-05, Mallow 0-3 as the teams made for the dressing rooms.

Mallow upped the tempo from the restart and were first on the board with another pointed free. Daniel Murray replied with one from play but then followed a period when Mallow grabbed the initiative and pulled back three points on the trot, remarkably all from frees. Bantry needed to get back into the game and it looked like captain Shane McCarthy had stopped the rot when he ran at the Mallow defence and hit a cracking goal. He followed up with a great point to put Blues two goals clear with ten minutes to go. However Mallow were dogged in their determination and continued to press forward. They were rewarded with a goal and now one score separated the sides. Bantry hearts sank as the North Cork side hit a second to level the game with minutes left. The Blues showed their fighting spirit by winning possession and pushing forward in search of the winner and it looked like it had come when Tim Foley shot a point in injury time. But the drama was not over and in the sixth minute of injury time Mallow were awarded a free which they converted to leave the sides tied at 2-08 each as the ref blew time from the kick out.

Credit is due to both teams for the match they served up in the conditions. All fifteen of Bantry Blues players gave outstanding performances but the conditions were energy sapping and mistakes were inevitable from both sides. It would be hard to single out individuals as every man battled to the end but captain Shane McCarthy was a constant thorn in the Mallow team’s side with his handling, speed and shooting.

Team: Michael Casey, Fionn O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Mahony, Savo Dragos, Sean Hodnett, Kieran Hanley, Owen O’Flynn, Killian O’Sullivan, Gavin Cronin, Arthur Coakley (1-0), Tim Foley (0-2), Shane Keevers, Nicholas O’Sullivan (0-1), Shane McCarthy (1-03), Daniel Murray (0-2). Subs: Michael Healy, Aaron Barry, Patrick Casey, James Lavin, Sean Thornton, Russell Barry, Eoghan O’Shea, Jack McCarthy, Aiden O’Sullivan, Barry O’Sullivan.

The club would ask that everyone possible travel and shout on the lads this Saturday as they go to finish the job off and bring the cup back. Come on the Blues!   

PLEASE SUPPORT : REPLAY : Sunday 17th Next

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UNDERAGE Notes 5/11/13

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

Junior D Final Replay 2013

2013 West Cork Junior D Final ( Replay)

Bantry Blues V IlenRovers

Sat 9thNov2013: Venue: Ballydehob

In the eagerly anticipated replay of the West Cork Junior D Final,Bantry Blues came out on top over a battling Ilen Rovers side who never gave an inch until the final whistle.

Bantry started well with their long ball strategy in to the full forward line where Damian O’Neill was the target, working a treat and they took an early lead with points from Richard Harrington & Shane Drummy

After 10 minutes Bantrys rock in defence Timmy O’Mahony was forced off with a suspected cruciate ligament tear ( replaced by the young Bryan Murphy) and his withdrawal helped Ilen come into the game where their first score was a well taken goal carved out by quick free which gave excellent young blues keeper Mark Keohane no chance . However this drove Bantry on with excellent defensive play by the backs led by Gerdie Barry, Sean McCarthy, Shane Edgeworth & Jimmy Griffin and intensive running by the midfield pairing of Donal McGrath & Alan Keane, & half forwards Mick Moran and Anthony Hanley, they quickly restored their dominance with further points from Shane Drummy(5) & Richard Harrington (2) leaving a half time score of Bantry Blues 0-09 v 1-01 Ilen Rovers.

Thankfully for Rovers,their goalkeeper Diarmuid Duggan made vital saves  in the first half keeping the game alive.

The second  half started with Ilen Rovers coming more into the game, with Fachtna Collins and Flor O’Driscoll dictating proceedings.They brought the game to within three points, but with Bantry emptying  their benchbringing on Daniel Murphy, Tim Young & Joe o'Donnell, they were that bit fresher and late points from introductions Paul Drummy & Daniel Murphy helped Bantry run out victors on a scoreline of 0-13 to 1-05.

Best for Bantry on the day were captain Shane Delaney, Aryton O’Shea,Alan Keane and corner forward Shane Drummy who finished with a personal tally of 0-08 points.

Scorers: Bantry: S.Drummy 0-08 (0-05 frees), Richard Harrington 0-03 (0-01 free), P Drummy 0-01, D.Murphy 0-01

Fundraising

Bantry Blues Golf Classic Results

Bantry Blues Golf Classic Results.

1st: McCarthy Sports Shop, Bantry. Cormac McCarthy, PJ Pigott and Alan O'Sullivan.

2nd: Tommy Murray Painters, Bantry. Danny Murray, Tristan Coakley and Sebastian J Ot'way.

3rd: Kevin O'Donovan and Partners Solicitors, Bantry. Kevin O'Donovan, Liam Wilcox and Denis O'Shaughnessy.

4th: Buddys Cabs, Bantry.

5th: Hennessy and Co. Solicitors, Bantry.

6th: Bank House, Whiddy.

IN A WEST CORK MINUTE with Ruairi Deane

Career highlight: The opportunity to captain the Cork junior team this year is the winner. It’s a dream come true, getting the chance to lead a Cork team out in an All-Ireland final. Winning the West Cork U21 with Bantry last year is a close second.

Sporting hero: I won’t be looking outside Bantry for this one. Graham Canty is the man. The service he has given to the game so far in his career is unreal. Everything he does he gives it 100 per cent on and off the pitch. And to top it off, he is a pure gentleman.

Best advice you’ve received: Paul McCarthy will be delighted with this question. ‘Pass the ball when you can, not when you have to’. It’s a saying he always directs at me, I think, for ‘occasionally’ running into a bit of traffic on the pitch.

Hobbies: Aside from football, I attempt to play a bit of hurling with Bantry and occasionally head out golfing. I went out with Alan Cronin, Dan MacEoin and the great Kieran Lynch a few weeks ago. We gave him a serious run for his money! I like to think I taught him a thing or two anyway.

Favourite heart-throb or pin-up: I’ll have to go for Jessica Ennis. Enough said. After that Rhiannon Fish and Samara Weaving from Home and Away are well up there! There are a couple of the Cork lady footballers and camogie players but I won’t hang myself by naming them!

Signature dish/favourite food: The omelette mentioned below is a personal favourite and would be my signature dish really. My favourite food is  spaghetti carbonarra with chicken and bacon.

Favourite holiday destination: I was recently in Lanzorate. It was just what I wanted, warm and relaxing. I was in America for a summer and wouldn’t mind going back there again. Also, I’d love to try get over to the World Cup in Rio next year.

Christmas morning or Mid Summer’s Day: Christmas morning! It’s a day of everything with the family. I love lying around the house, by the fire for the day, eating as much food as I physically can.

Your most treasured possession: It has to be my iPhone. I would be lost without it. I’m addicted to Snapchat at the moment. Also I have a pair of the Predator Mania boots. Thank God they didn’t get robbed from me in Manchester!

Morning person or night owl: I’m definitely a night owl. During the summer I rarely even see the mornings. I just bypass the mornings and go straight for the evenings!

Breakfast of champions: Has to be an omelette. Firstly you have to fry up a bit of garlic, onion and mushrooms. Then add in some green, yellow and red peppers along with some chicken and rasher. Mine would be made with four egg whites and one egg yolk, a dash of milk and stir it up. Add a bit of cheese on top, two slices of brown bread and a homemade smoothie, and you’re laughing.

Desert island essential(s): Dr Denis Cotter and his bag of tricks. If you had him there you really would have it all. He would quote the majority of the Bible so he would be as good as a priest. You have a doctor and his bag of tricks would keep you in good health. The stories would be plentiful as well. He is a top man for keeping you down to earth and in top shape.

Tell us a secret: The one and only time I was on the pitch in Croke Park was not playing but at a Westlife concert for their farewell tour last June!

I would like to be remembered as … a hard-working and honest footballer, who gave everything he could to the sport with club and county. Hopefully remembered as a member of the Bantry football team that regained senior status!

Rebels strike again

Monday, August 26, 2013

By Denis Hurley

Cork 0-13 Kildare 1-07
With 16 All-Ireland junior football titles before Saturday, and one every second year since 2005, it might come as no surprise to see Cork add another by beating Kildare in the Gaelic Grounds.

This was no procession, however, not even with the aid of a dominant first half which saw them lead by 0-9 to 0-3 at half-time. A spirited second-half revival from Kildare, buttressed by a goal from Keith Cribbin, had them level with 10 minutes left as Cork laboured. 

Crucially, though, the Lilywhites never hit the front, and Cork did enough in the closing stages, with Cathal Vaughan, Ruairí Deane and Kevin O’Driscoll hitting late points. Cork go further clear on the roll of honour, but manager Paul McCarthy expected a tough challenge after needing extra-time against the same opponents in the 2011 final. 

“Two years ago, we were seven points down quite early in the game,” he said, “and our mantra for the last few weeks was that we’d be the team taking the initiative. 

“We knew Kildare wouldn’t give up, they have big strong players and they just battle and battle. We probably had the players who were able to take the points whereas they lacked that a little bit.” 

In the first half, that difference was magnified as five of the starting Cork forwards scored from play, despite Kildare playing a sweeper. Former senior Fiachra Lynch conducted operations from full-forward, scoring two fine efforts and being involved in the build-up play for three more. Wing-forward Colm O’Driscoll was a live wire and Cathal Vaughan impressed from play and frees, with Micheál Ó Laoire and Deane going well at midfield. At times, Cork’s defence looked vulnerable, but Kildare never did enough to fully test that, as Ciarán Fitzpatrick and Cathal McNally only saw glimpses of goal with half-chances. 

Turning with a 0-9 to 0-3 deficit, Kildare opened the second-half scoring through Cian Bolton, but Vaughan answered that with a Cork free and matters looked set to follow a similar pattern to the first half. 

Seven minutes in, Kildare gave themselves a huge boost as Cribbin found the net, but it was not without assistance from their opponents. After Cork gave the ball away cheaply, Cribbin’s point attempt was deflected and when the danger was not sufficiently dealt with, the midfielder was on hand to net from close range. 

When Hughie Mahon and then captain Séamus Hanafin added further Kildare points, Cork were up against it, and an anxiety had slipped into their play. 

Mahon, after a nice one-two with sub Gavin Farrell, then tied matters at 0-10 to 1-7 and with 10 minutes left it was anybody’s game. That Vaughan immediately put Cork back in front was key, and then Deane – after a good run – provided breathing space. 

Kildare mounted one last attack as they searched for a winning goal, but Cork broke and Kevin O’Driscoll concluded matters with this second point, leaving McCarthy delighted. 

“We were never led at any stage,” he said. 

“We had six of the 2011 team and a lot have played in All-Ireland latter stages at various levels. They drew on that experience. 

“One other small simple matter is that they’re damn good footballers when it comes to it as well.” 

Scorers for Cork: C Vaughan (0-5, 3f), K O’Driscoll, F Lynch (0-2 each), R Deane, M Ó Laoire, A O’Brien, C O’Driscoll (0-1 each). 

Scorers for Kildare: H Mahon (0-3), K Cribbin (1-0), C Bolton (0-2, 1f), S Hanafin (f), P Mahon, C McNally (0-1 each). 

CORK: D Hanrahan; AJ O’Connor, E O’Mahony, K Harrington; Richard O’Sullivan, Rory O’Sullivan, S Kiely; R Deane, M Ó Laoire; C Vaughan, A O’Brien, C O’Driscoll; K O’Driscoll, F Lynch, D Harrington. 

Subs: P Daly for O’Mahony (32-33, blood sub), Daly for Rory O’Sullivan (43), M Vaughan for Harrington (45), E Buckley for O’Brien (59). 

KILDARE: C Heneghan; J O’Connor, W Burke, P Warren; D Barker, C Fitzpatrick, C O’Shea; K Cribbin, S Darcy; C Fagan, S Hanafin, H Mahon; P Mahon, C Bolton, C McNally. 

Subs: G Waters for Warren (35), G Farrell for Darcy (41), D Grehan for P Mahon (55), D Duke for H Mahon (60). 

Referee: G McCormack (Dublin).

© Irish Examiner Ltd. All right

Clyda keep heads to hold off Blues

Saturday, August 17, 2013

By Denis Hurley

Clyda Rovers 0-08 Bantry Blues 0-07
Clyda Rovers reached the quarter-finals of the Premier IFC by beating Bantry Blues at Kilmichael last night, but they had to endure a few nervous moments before the final whistle.

For the fifth successive year, the Mourneabbey side are in the last eight and they deservedly advance after playing the better football, but they could easily have let it slip. 

Playing with a strong first-half wind, Clyda had the majority of the possession, but still only went in level at 0-3 each at half-time after kicking some very bad wides. 

While a rejigging of personnel for the second period gave greater purpose to their play, they never fully shook off Bantry and the West Cork side quarried two late points to bring them to within one. 

Ultimately, Clyda held on to possession, as they did for long stretches of the game, to claim victory and a meeting with Glenville in the quarter-finals. 

Imposing themselves physically from the off, Clyda built up a lead as Pádraig O’Mullane, Fionn O’Shea and Cian O’Sullivan all scored, and the Bantry backs looked vulnerable as James Murphy and Conor O’Sullivan also looked like creating openings. 

Much of the approach work was going to waste, however, and Declan Barron got Bantry off the mark with a free before setting up Michael O’Sullivan for another in the 27th minute. 

When a Barron ball from deep allowed O’Sullivan to tie matters in injury-time, Clyda must have been wondering if it was going to be one of those nights, but the relocation of Paudie Kissane to centre-forward for the second half allowed him to run more directly at the Bantry defence — and Murphy and Cian O’Sullivan gave them a cushion once more. 

One of the few goal chances fell to Bantry wing-back Seán O’Leary from a neat Niel Canty pass, but he shot over in the 43rd minute. Gavin O’Shea levelled again on three-quarters, but they could not kick on, with Ruairí Deane unable to generate his usual surging runs and Graham Canty not as dominant in the air as in the first half. 

Instead, Clyda pushed clear once more, Conor Flanagan benefiting from a move to full-forward as he twice pointed after fielding deliveries, and then sub Chris Buckley left three in it as the 60-minute mark approached. 

Deane’s close-in free, coupled with a good Barron point following sub David Power’s hard work, did give Bantry the scent of a draw, but no equalising chance could be engineered. 

To their credit, Clyda kept their composure to work the ball out and ensure they did not squander victory. 

Scorers for Clyda Rovers: C Flanagan, Cian O’Sullivan 0-2 each, C Buckley, J Murphy (1f), F O’Shea, P O’Mullane 0-1 each. 

Scorers for Bantry Blues: M O’Sullivan, D Barron (1f) 0-2 each, R Deane (1f), G O’Shea, S O’Leary 0-1 each. 

CLYDA ROVERS: C Conway; N O’Mullane, R Carey, C Kenny; K Fitzgerald, F O’Shea, O O’Hanlon; J O’Hanlon, P Kissane; Conor O’Sullivan, C Flanagan, G Carey; Cian O’Sullivan, P O’Mullane, J Murphy. 

Subs: C Buckley for P O’Mullane (34), M O’Brien for J O’Hanlon (46). 

BANTRY BLUES: D Murray; J O’Leary, K Harrington, K Deane; S O’Leary, D O’Sullivan, N Canty; G Canty, P Daly; G O’Shea, T Downey, R Deane; M O’Sullivan, D Barron, D Casey. 

Subs: D Power for Casey (47), J Harrington for O’Leary, C O’Leary for Downey (both 54), K Casey for Daly (60). 

Referee: J Ryan (Macroom).