Hayes seals win as Carberry get off to flyer

CARBERY RANGERS got their first season in senior ranks off to the perfect start at Aughaville last night, defeating Bantry in the opening round of the Evening Echo Cork Co SFC in a bruising contest.

In a typical derby game, the referee issued three red and six yellow cards as players at times forgot about the ball. It was a pity because the last quarter developed into a rousing affair as Bantry pulled back a five point lead to just one with a minute to go before Declan Hayes kicked the insurance point three minutes into injury time.

Carbery were never behind after Johnny Murphy kicked their opening point in the first minute and while they lost their way midway through the second-half they always looked likely winners.

Rangers had a number of outstanding players, particularly centre-back Anthony Roche, Micheál O’Sullivan at midfield and Maurice Moore in attack, while Bantry, whose discipline left a lot to be desired, were best served by Graham Canty, Damien O’Neill, and Declan Barron.

Carbery got off to a perfect start and aided by the strong wind, they stormed into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes. The dominance of Micheál O’Sullivan at midfield ensured his forwards got a plentiful supply of ball and they made maximum use of it. Bantry’s Philip Clifford and Declan Barron were the only players who posed any real threat which was removed when Clifford received a straight red card in the 25th minute, along with Carbery’s Johnny Murphy. Clifford’s offence was born out of total frustration for missing a couple of easy frees which he ballooned badly wide.

Sadly a game that promised so much began to deteriorate into a dogfight and after a player from each side was yellow carded, Bantry sub John Harrington was then red carded. Damien O’Neill then pointed for the Blues and it left Carbery 0-5 to 0-2 ahead at the break.

There was no improvement in the standard of play in the early minutes of the second-half as the referee was again forced to issue four yellow cards in the space of two minutes. Bantry were the primary aggressors and Carbery took advantage to kick three excellent points from frees by Maurice Moore to forge 0-8 to 0-3 in front by the end of the third quarter.

Bantry gradually began to put a couple of good moves together and with Damien O’Neill and Graham Canty influential around the middle of the field, the scores began to arrive.

Declan Barron led their recovery with a succession of great long range points and, with 10 minutes to go, only two separated the sides. The standard finally began to improve and the introduction of John Hayes eased the pressure as he kicked over a great point for Carberry.

However, Bantry continued to pour forward and Declan Barron, playing a blinder, kicked two points to leave just the minimum between the teams as the game drifted into injury time. A replay looked likely until Declan Hayes landed the insurance point to ensure his side’s name goes into the hat for the third round draw.

Scorers: Carbery Rangers: M. Moore 0-3 (frees); J. Murphy 0-2 (frees); K. McMahon, N. Hayes, M. O’Sullivan, S. Hayes, J. Hayes, D. Hayes 0-1 each. Bantry: D. Barron 0-6 (0-2 frees); D. O’Neill, S. Drummy, J. Cantry (free) 0-1 each.

CARBERY RANGERS: K. Santry; J. Murphy, E. Murphy, S. Hayes; G. Ryan, A. Roche, J. Murphy; M. O’Sullivan, D. Creedon; J. Kingston, N. Hayes, K. McMahon; D. Hayes, J. Fitzpatrick, M. Moore.

Subs. Seamus Hayes for Kingston; John Hayes for Fitzpatrick; J. McCarthy for Creedon.

BANTRY BLUES: D. Murray; T. Hurley, K. .Harrington, R. Hennessy; J. Griffin, G. Canty, K. O’Sullivan; D. O’Neill, D. McGrath; D. O’Shea, D. Barron, R. Lynch; P. Clifford, J. Canty, S. Drummy.

Referee: R. Murphy (Lyre).