Silverware for Bantry Blues
Bantry Blues 1-11 Dohenys 1-5
What was turning out to be a miserable football year for Bantry Blues finished on a high note with the winning of the SW junior D football title in Castlehaven on Saturday last. A mixture of ex-seniors and budding minors got off to a blistering start in this lively end-of-the-year contest and within fifteen minutes they had raced into a seven-point lead, 1-4 to nil, courtesy of a penalty goal from ace-scorer, Rory Deane. Physically stronger and showing more urgency all round the pitch, Bantry could have wrapped up this final in that first quarter but were guilty of some hasty shooting which cost them several scores.
To their credit Dohenys rallied in the second quarter and scored the only two points of that period, as Bantry’s effort seemed to lag. The Blues led by five points at the break and, again, they got off to a good start in the second half with two points to restore their seven-point lead. It was an uphill battle for a young Doheny side after that but they never threw in the towel and when David Collins raised a green flag in the 50th minute there was a glimmer of hope on the horizon. However, Bantry were not to be denied and, despite the best efforts of Dohenys in the closing minutes, it was the Bantry lads who were celebrating a welcome win at the end.
With the veterans leading by example and the young players providing the legs, this was an impressive performance from the Blues. The hero, especially in the opening quarter, was young Patrick Delaney at midfield, who completely dominated that sector and provided plenty possession for the forwards. His fellow minor, Rory Deane, on the forty responded in style with a fine display of scoring, registering 1-5 over the hour. Veteran full forward, Andy O’Shea, gave plenty examples of what used to be with a whole-hearted display. At centre back, Marc O’Connor was the steadying influence, providing great leadership while corner backs, Cathal O’Shea and Aidan Harrington both covered very well, giving good support to the plucky Timmy O’Mahony at full back and good cover to reliable goalie, Aidan power. Seán McCarthy had a fine outing at wing back as did Pat Daly on the other side.
Gerdie Barry used all his experience to assist Delaney at midfield while Denis Coughlan and Richie Harrington were always lively on the wings. Captain, D. J. Murray, and team manager, Pat, ‘Pako’ O’Driscoll were very industrious in both corners. This was a spirited performance from the Blues who will be hoping to continue this climb into the new season when their top team will be playing premier intermediate and hoping for a quick return to senior.
Dohenys found it hard to get going against Bantry’s superior physical strength but when they found their feet, they played some fine football, only a lack of penetration up front preventing them from being much closer on the scoreboard. Veteran John Galvin had a great battle with both O’Shea and Deane and kept his end up well while William O’Brien gave his all at centre back right to the end. Stephen Cronin and Alan O’Regan covered well on the wings.
David Collins and Niall Hurley, after a slow start, showed good form at midfield and were on top in the second half. James Collins was the most dangerous attacker up front but was forced to wander a little too far from his full forward slot while young Jeremy Moloney played a lot of ball on the wing, with John Healy also doing well. Sub, Barry O’Donovan, finished well with two points to his credit.
Referee, Donal Shorten, St. Mary’s.
Bantry got off to a flyer with Delaney dominating midfield, making some great catches, and points from Andy O’Shea and Rory Deane put then two in front but some good chances were missed. In the 8th minute Richie Harrington was fouled as he put the ball in the net and the resulting penalty was perfectly converted by Deane. Bantry nearly had a second goal in the 13th minute when Andy O’Shea set up D.J. Murray but his point-blank effort was brilliantly saved by the reliable Brendan Lehane in the Doheny goal.
Further points by the outstanding Delaney and Denis Coughlan had Bantry seven points to the good by the end of the first quarter, with Dohenys yet to score. Bantry’s impetus began to wane at that stage and Dohenys finally got a foothold on proceedings, with full forward, James Collins showing the way. Trying, unsuccessfully, for goals at first, they changed their plan and two good points from Collins before the break closed the gap to five points, 1-4 to 0-2, with Bantry failing to score in the second quarter.
Dohenys were hoping for a good start to the second half to close the gap further and they did have possession but the scores came at the other end when the accurate Deane and Pat O’Driscoll slotted over two fine points to restore the seven-point gap. It was all to do for Dohenys now but, just as in the first half, Bantry faded and Dohenys took control in the last quarter. It was backs to the wall for the Blues as they defended their lead and when James Collins had his third point for Dohenys, Deane responded at the other end from a free.
Dohenys did a lot of pressing without being able to close the gap and it was Bantry who showed the way when they struck for two good points in breakaways, from the irrepressible Deane and D. J. Murray. With nine points between the sides and only ten minutes remaining, Dohenys would have been forgiven for throwing in the towel but they lifted their heads again and when David Collins found a hole in the tight Bantry rearguard to crash home a goal, they were within six again. Increasing the pressure, Dohenys went in search of more scores but, again, it was Deane who halted their resurgence with a point from a free.
Dohenys sub Barry O’Donovan, pointed twice, one from a free, in a hectic finish to narrow the gap to five points but Bantry put up the shutters in the dying minutes and it was the Blues who finished with the last score from Richie Harrington to record a very welcome win, 1-11 to 1-5.
There was great rejoicing among the players and small band of supporters when captain, D. J. Murray, received the cup from John Dineen, Development Officer of SW Junior Board, who thanked the Haven club for the use of their pitch so late in the season.
Scorers; Bantry – Rory Deane 1-5, 1-0 penalty, 0-2 frees, Patrick Delaney, Denis Coughlan, Richie Harrington, Patrick O’Driscoll, Andy O’Shea and D. J. Murray 0-1 each. Dohenys – David Collins 1-0, James Collins 0-3, Barry O’Donovan 0-2, 0-1 free.
Bantry Blues – Aidan Power, Cathal O’Shea, Timmy O’Mahony, Aidan Harrington, Pat Daly, Marc O’Connor, Seán McCarthy, Gerdie Barry, Patrick Delaney, Denis Coughlan, Rory Deane, Richard Harrington, Patrick O’Driscoll, Andy O’Shea, D.J. Murray. Subs, Killian Crowley, Shane Edgeworth, Eamonn McCarthy.
Dohenys - Brendan Lehane, James McCarthy, John Galvin, Diarmuid Crowley, Alan O’Regan, William O’Brien, Stephen Cronin, David Collins, Niall Hurley, Jeremy Moloney, Tom Collins, John Healy, Seán O'Sullivan, James Collins, Martin Collins. Subs, Barry O’Donovan, Brian Collins, Eamonn Freeman, Conor Moloney,