Hayes breaks Mallow hearts as Carbery book place in final

Carbery 1-10 Mallow 0-11

In the most sensational circumstances the south west divisional representatives scraped home, but spare a thought for Mallow, who missed the chance of a lifetime to snatch victory.

Mallow almost had a goal after two minutes, but captain Austin Ahern’s terrific strike was brilliantly saved by Carbery goalkeeper Pat Prendergast.

Undeterred, Mallow continued to make the running and Ahern put them ahead with a point in the second minute, going two in front when Ronan Sheehan converted a free.

Carbery levelled matters with points from John Hayes and Alan O’Connor.

With wing forward Cian O’Riordan in magnificent form Mallow looked the superior outfit for most of the opening half as O’Riordan kicked two points from frees in rapid succession and Carbery found themselves really under the cosh.

However, points from Frank Arundel and Sean Levis brought Carbery level at the break at five points apiece.

After Mallow were denied another goal by goalkeeper Prendergast, who turned a fisted attempt by midfielder John O’Sullivan around the post for a 45, the sides were level for the fifth time in the 39th minute.

When Tadhg O’Riordan kicked a glorious point in the 56th minute to power Mallow three in front, the die seemed well and truly cast for Carbery.

Substitute Martin Cronin sparked a last-gasp Carbery revival however, with a point from a quickly taken free. Then, a minute from the end of normal time, Kevin McMahon and Michael O’Sullivan set up John Hayes for the match-winning goal. There was a suspicion of an illegal pass in the build-up, but Hayes’ finish was sublime.

Hayes added another point from a free to stretch Carbery’s lead to two points entering stoppage time. Then came Mallow’s last ditch-attempt to snatch the game out of the fire. Austin Ahern’s strike on goal hit the butt of the upright and the ball ran across the goal-line. Sheehan attempted to stab the ball home but it lifted off the ground and struck the crossbar.

Sheehan’s attempt was scrambled clear and Carbery were through to a final meeting with Bishopstown.

Scorers: Carbery: J Hayes 1-3 (0-2 from frees); P Hegarty 0-2; S Levis 0-2; A O’Connor, F Arundel and M Cronin (free) 0-1 each. Mallow: R Sheehan 0-5 (0-4 from frees); C O’Riordan 0-4 (0-1 from free); A Ahern and T O’Riordan 0-1 each.

CARBERY: P Prendergast (Bandon); E Barrett (Oliver Plunkett’s), S Levis (Muintir Bhaire), E Murphy (Carbery Rangers); B O’Brien (Barryroe), E Sexton (Kilbrittain), M Fehilly (D O’Mathuna); M O’Sullivan (Carbery Rangers), K McMahon (do); A O’Connor (St Colum’s), J Hayes (Carbery Rangers), F Arundel (Muintir Bhaire); D Hayes (Carbery Rangers), P Hegarty (Tadhg MacCarthaigh), M Moore (Carbery Rangers). Subs: M Cronin (St Colum’s) for O’Connor; B Harte (Arigideen Rangers) for Arundel).

MALLOW: T O’Brien; K O’Halloran, K McCarthy, J Cronin; BJ Ryan, B Doyle, M O’Donovan; J O’Sullivan, T O’Riordan; C O’Riordan, D Golden, D Lavin; P Dineen, R Sheehan, A Ahern. Subs: S Cronin for Dineen; A Cashman for Cronin (inj).

REFEREE: N Barrett (Carrigtwohill).