St Brogan’s take over in second-half

St. Brogan’s, Bandon 2-9 Coláiste Treasa, Kanturk 2-5

Indeed it proved a double delight for the Bandon boys as it also earned them a spot in the Cork decider and a meeting with Clonakilty. Yet it was a win that looked so unlikely at the break for they trailed 2-4 to 2-3 when playing with a strong breeze at their backs and had corner-back Ciáran Walsh sent off for a reckless challenge.

With Lorcan McLoughlin and Aidan Walsh for Coláiste Treasa and Chris O’Donovan and Peter Daly for

Brogan’s having a great battle at midfield, there was nothing between the sides in the opening quarter — three classy Danny Twomey points giving Brogan’s a 0-3 to 0-2 lead, John Lane and McLoughlin replying for Coláiste Treasa.

Walsh was then deservedly red carded, but we still had some fine football in a game that flowed throughout. Four goals were shared in the second period, with Brogan’s probably the least happy after missing some good chances. Both the Brogan’s goals came from expertly converted Gary Twomey penalties, with Liam Daly, after a mistake by Brogan’s keeper Chris White, and the excellent Denis Roche replying for Coláiste Treasa.

But when Roche scored a sweet point on stroke of half-time to earn Coláiste Treasa that slender lead, the omens didn’t look good for the Bandon school.

But battle hardened Brogan’s know how to win matches and, despite the odds, proceeded to play Coláiste Treasa off the pitch in the second-half, limiting a young Kanturk side to just one point.

Roy Payne quickly levelled the scores on the restart but some terrible shooting allowed Coláiste Treasa to regain the lead through the exciting Roche.

But that’s as good as it got, for Brogan’s then turned on the power. Michael Deasy was mighty at full-back, Fionn Keane marshalled the half backline skilfully and, up front, Payne and Danny Twomey were always willing to take on the Coláiste Treasa defence. Points followed from Brian Murphy, Maurice Sexton and Payne to put Brogan’s into 2-7 to 2-5 lead entering the final quarter, with Sexton also having an unbelievable goal miss.

In fairness to Coláiste Treasa they never gave up. Walsh and McLoughlin missed free chances and John Lane blasted a shot just wide. But Payne killed off the game with two more sweet points to put Brogan’s on track for a four-in-row against either Clonakilty or Sliabh Luachra.

Scorers for St. Brogan’s: G. Twomey 2-0 (penalties), R. Payne 0-4, D. Twomey 0-3, B. Murphy, M. Sexton 0-1 each.

Coláiste Treasa: D. Roche 1-2, L. Daly 1-0, L. McLoughlin 0-2 (frees), J. Lane 0-1.

ST. BROGAN’S: C. White; C. Lordan, M. Deasy, C. Walsh; D. Ryan, F. Keane, L. Long; C. O’Donovan, P. Daly; B. Murphy, G. O’Riordan, M. Sexton; R. Payne, D. Twomey, G. Twomey.

COLÁISTE TREASA: K. Roche; W. Corkery, S. Riordan, S. O’Brien; P. Buckley, K. Mannix, B, Withers; L. McLoughlin, A. Walsh; T. Murphy, S. Coleman, J. Lane; D. Roche, L. Daly, S. Kiely.

Subs: N. Lynam for Kiely, D. McAuliffe for Murphy.

Referee: D. Farrell (Mitchelstown).