Cool Cahalane rescues Bandon

A LATE Michael Cahalane point earned Bandon a draw in a thrilling Cork Premier 2 MHC final at Páirc Uí Rinn yesterday.

It was no more than the West Cork side deserved and they could have won the game had Eoin Ryan not wasted a glorious chance in injury time; his effort for a goal just inches wide.

Though there was a scarcity of scores, it was an exciting spectacle. There were a number of outstanding performers on both sides and a number of goalmouth incidents combined to produce a thrilling decider.

Bandon had a great start, and led 0-2 to nil after two minutes, but failed to sustain that pace. Castlelyons, playing the more direct hurling, were level after 10 minutes thanks to Mike Spillane, one of three brothers on their team.

The brilliance of Colm Spillane at centre-back, ensured the pacy Castlelyons forwards saw a lot of the ball and the East Cork side forged 0-6 to 0-3 ahead by the 20th minute, after scoring four points in a row.

The Bandon attack struggled as the Castlelyons half back line of Cian O’Leary, Colm Spillane and Tom Carroll were to the fore. Indeed the West Cork side went 18 minutes without a score until Michael Cahalane pointed a 40-metre free in the 30th minute.

In the three minutes that were added, Bandon pinned Castlelyons in their own half but found keeper Eoin Barry unbeatable as he saved superbly from Mark Sugrue.

At the break, the East Cork side led 0-7 to 0-4.

Castlelyons brought Mike Spillane to midfield for the second half and quickly consolidated their lead with points from him and brother Anthony.

However an injury to Mike Spillane curtailed his effectiveness and Bandon began to get on top through the efforts of Philip Crowley at midfield and Michael Cahalane at corner-forward.

Great defending by Eoin Barry, Paudie O’Regan and the thickness of the crossbar denied Bandon a goal as the West Cork side attacked in waves.

Castlelyons needed a score to lift the siege but they hit three wides in succession and looked as if they blown their chance to add the minor title to the U21 crown.

As the excitement continued to mount, Bandon maintained the pressure on their opponents’ defence and the classy Michael Cahalane tied this thriller for the third time with a superb equalising point from out on the touch line. There was still time for either side to win the game, and the chance to do so fell to Bandon, but Eoin Ryan’s effort crept inches wide.

Scorers for Castlelyons: M. Spillane 0-4 (0-2 frees); C. Cotter, R. Fenton, B. Carroll, C. Spillane, A. Spillane 0-1 each.

Scorers for Bandon: M. Cahalane 0-6 (0-2 frees); S. Og Murphy, M. Surgrue, S. Hickey 0-1 each.

CASTLELYONS: E. Barry; P. O’Regan, C. Barry, N. McAuliffe; C. O’Leary, C. Spillane, T. Carroll; E. Maye, S. Joyce; R. Fenton, M. Spillane, B. Carroll; A. Fenton, C. Cotter, A. Spillane.

Subs: D. Lawlor for Carroll (ht); R. Bransfield for Cotter (40); B. Carroll for A. Fenton (40); R. O’Regan for A. Spillane 60).

BANDON: J. McSweeney; M. McNamara, P. O’Leary, R. Long; M. Beecher, P. Murphy, C. Swanton; P. Crowley, S. Óg Murphy; S. Hickey, M. Surgrue, J. Crowley; M. Cahalane, A. Dullea, E. Ryan.

Subs: J. Desmond for J. Crowley (40); D. O’Donovan for Hickey (50).

Referee: M. Sheedy (Shanballymore).