McCarthy superb as Castlelyons relegate outclassed Delanys

THANKS to an almost perfect strike rate from Timmy McCarthy, Castlelyons will continue to play in the Cork SHC next year while condemning Delanys to the intermediate division after this relegation play-off at Midleton on Saturday.

McCarthy was accuracy personified from the placed ball, landing nine beauties, some from over the half-way line, punctuated by two delightful points from play as Delanys struggled to stay in the game.

Delanys struggled from the outset. They enjoyed a second-minute lead from a well taken George Healy point before McCarthy drove over his first. Kevin Foley restored the city side’s lead but McCarthy struck again and when William Martin pointed to give Castlelyons the lead for the first time they never looked back.

Delanys might have had a goal in the 19th minute when full-forward Mark McElhinney worked his way through on the right only to have his shot saved brilliantly by Brian Sheehan. That was the first of three goal chances that Delanys missed and the one that would have taken them to within a point of Castlelyons came five minutes into the second-half when Mark O’Driscoll ran through at the end of a passing movement only to have his effort cleared off the line by full-back Barry O’Connell.

Kevin Foley pointed a free that followed the save and the margin was three points. But that was Delany’s last score of the game and Timmy McCarthy pointed from play to consolidate the Castlelyons lead.

All the time McCarthy was keeping Delanys under pressure both with his accuracy from placed balls and general play. They led 0-7 to 0-4 at the break. Their dominance was due largely to a classy midfield performance by Ciarán McGann, underscored by two brilliant points. Their full-back line, and Barry O’Connell in particular, was resolute, while Stephen Barrett was particularly impressive on the half-back line.

At the other end Ronan Foley was a tower of strength at full-back, Thomas Kiely played well at centre-back and James Egan, who scored two points, never gave up at midfield. Kevin Foley also worked tirelessly in attack but Delanys never really got off the ground.

Scorers for Castlelyons: T. McCarthy 0-11 (0-9 frees), C. McGann 0-2, W.Martin 0-1.

Delanys:J Egan 0-2 (0-1 free), K. Foley 0-2 (0-1 free), M. O’Driscoll and G. Healy 0-1 each.

CASTLELYONS: B. Sheehan; W. Reardon, B. O’Connell, S. Kenny; D. Sexton, B. Fitzgerald, S. Barrett; C. McGann, K. Barrett; T. McCarthy, F. Waters, L. Sexton; E. O’Leary, W. Martin, S. McAuliffe.

Subs: M. F. Dorgan for D. Sexton; J. O’Leary for E. O’Leary.

DELANYS: V. O’Brien; G. Spriggs, R. Foley, C. Foley; P. Finnegan, T. Kiely, J. Cooney; J. Egan, P. O’Connell; K. Foley, M. O’Driscoll, B. Egan; E. Cullinane, M. McElhinney, G. Healy.

Sub: G. Quinlan for G. Healy.

Referee: D Copps (Ballyhea).