Classy Carbery torment ’Town

CARBERY RANGERS handed out a drubbing to Bishopstown in the first round of the Evening Echo Cork SFC in Bandon last night.

League form suggested a runaway win for Rangers and a point by Cork inter-county player Kevin McMahon in the opening minute seemed to confirm this but Bishopstown, playing against the wind and rain, stuck to their guns and they were only three behind, 0-5 to 0-2, at the end of the first half.

It was a half dominated by the full-backs with Anthony Roche, Sean Hayes and Johnny Murphy for Carbery Rangers snuffing out the challenge posed by the Bishopstown corner forward Jack Ferriter and James Murphy on the half-forward line.

At the other end Bishopstown were benefiting from the experience of their full-back, former Cork inter-county player Noel O’Donovan, who was flanked by Michael Power, a Cork minor two years ago, and John L O’Sullivan. The result was a 16-minute stalemate which was broken by another Kevin McMahon point with two minutes remaining in the half.

The big difference was in attack where the Hayes brothers, Seamus and John, formed a formidable combination on the full-forward line and when Bishopstown substitute Eoin Ryan started the second half with a quick point in the first minute, Seamus, at the end of a piercing passing movement, and John, from a free, provided the response that set the pattern for the remainder of the game

Ferriter might have engineered the goal that could have changed the game around nine minutes into the second half when his free came off the upright and fell to James Murphy who was perfectly positioned, but Maurice Moloney in the Rangers goal dealt capably with a poorly-hit ball.

From here on Carbery Rangers dominated, with the Hayes brothers frequently found back in defence when needed, Kevin McMahon providing leadership in the middle of the field and Brian Shanahan and David Creedon picking off some delightful points.

Bishopstown now await the outcome of tomorrow’s clash between Douglas and Clonakilty at Brinny to find out who their opponents will be as they embark on the scenic route in pursuit of their championship dream.

Scorers for Carbery Rangers: S Hayes 0-4, K McMahon 0-3, B Shanahan, D Creedon and John Hayes (0-1 feee) 0-2 each.

Scorers for Bishopstown: J Ferriter 0-2 (0-1 free), S Murphy, P Honohan and E Ryan 0-1 each.

CARBERY RANGERS: M Moloney; A Roche, S Hayes, J Murphy; G Ryan, P White, M Mennis; M O’Sullivan, K McMahon; D Hayes, B Shanahan, J Fitzpatrick; D Creedon, S Hayes, J Hayes.

Sub: M Ronan for J Fitzpatrick (injured 17 mins).

BISHOPSTOWN: K O’Halloran; M Power, N O’Donovan, JL O’Sullivan; T Creed, A O’Connor, C O’Neill; D Hickey, S Murphy; J O’Shea, D Crowley, J Murphy; J Ferriter, P Honohan, P Healy.

Subs: E Ryan for B Healy (h-t), R Honohan for J Ferriter (49 mins), I Jones for JL O’Sullivan (55 mins).

Referee: C McAllister (Aghada).