Clifford the ace as Bantry take title
But on Saturday, in Ballineen, they doubled that total with a terrific victory over beaten Cork county finalists Bishopstown with a brand of sweet running football that the city club just couldn’t match.
And coach Terry O’Neill, beaming at the end, was a happy man. “This one was for Florrie O’Mahony, a man who has been involved in all our great triumphs down through the years. We set ourselves a target after being knocked out of the championship to get down to business and win the league. We got a great response from the players and we proved today that Bantry is alive and well.”
How right he was. In truth, the West Corkmen were streets ahead of Bishopstown in skill and know-how in this replay, goals in each half enabling the city men to stay in contention. They even had the audacity to take a second-half lead, mainly due to Bantry’s inept shooting. But when the alarm bells rang Bantry were well able to respond.
For full-forward Philip Clifford this was a personal triumph. He kicked eight super points, giving outstanding young defender Noel O’Donovan a torrid time all afternoon. Again a terrific start by Bantry as points from Moran, Declan Barron and Steve Dineen shot them three points clear inside five minutes. Liam Honohan, who worked hard all afternoon, replied with a beauty for Bishopstown, but all Bantry’s adventurous play was negatived by a fortuitous Mark Cogan goal in the 10th minute, just holding a slender two point lead after the opening quarter, 0-6 to 1-1. Again a terrific start by Bantry as points from Moran, Declan Barron and Steve Dineen shot them three points clear inside five minutes. Liam Honohan, who worked hard all afternoon, replied with a beauty for Bishopstown, but all Bantry’s adventurous play was negatived by a fortuitous Mark Cogan goal in the 10th minute, just holding a slender two point lead after the opening quarter, 0-6 to 1-1.
Bantry’s determination was epitomised by O’Connor, who won a great ball on 50 minutes to set up Clifford for another point and there was only going to be one winner now. Clifford, with another gem, and Barron tacked on further points and to cap a frustrating day for Bishopstown Mark Kilgallon was sent off late in the contest.
Scorers for Bantry: P. Clifford 0-8 (0-1 free), S. Dineen 0-4 (0-1 free), D. Barron 0-2, M. Moran 0-1.
Bishopstown: J. Crowley 1-1, M. Cogan 1-0, L. Honohan (0-1’45) , J. O’Shea 0-2 each.
BANTRY BLUES: A. Hamilton; J. Harrington, M. O’Connor, E. McCarthy; N. Canty, P. Cremin, N. Twomey; D. O’Neill, G. Canty; D. Barron, M. Moran, D. McGrath; G. Barry, P. Clifford, S. Dineen. Subs: A. Farrelly for Hamilton, D. O’Shea for McGrath, P. O’Rourke for Twomey.
BISHOPSTOWN: M. Galvin; D. Murphy, N .O’Donovan, D. Galvin; M. Kilgallon, S. Murphy, B. Hussey; L. Honohan, D Cullinane; J. Murphy, J. Honohan, M. Cogan; R. Honohan, J. Crowley, J. O’Shea. Subs: B. McCarthy for D. Murphy, B. Healy for J. Murphy, B. Cuthbert for Cullinane, R. McDonnell for Cogan.
Referee: G. Harrington (Carrigaline).
