Canty a colossus for Bantry

GRAHAM CANTY inspired Bantry to a fine 0-11 to 2-4 win over Nemo Rangers in the County Division Three Football League final at Balineen on Saturday.

Having led at the break by two points, Bantry conceded two goals in the space of three minutes early in the second-half and were further rocked when reduced to 14 after corner back Donnagh O’Sullivan was shown a straight red card on 36 minutes for striking an opponent.

Added to their plight was the stiff breeze they had to play into for the closing half but superbly led by the mercurial figure of Canty in midfield, the West Cork men ground out a fine win with Declan Barron also impressing, scoring six points.

Éire Óg claimed the Cork Division 4 FL title with a facile victory at Dunmanway on Saturday.

Two scoring spells at the start and end of the second half proved crucial with Aidan O’Connor and John Dineen hitting goals for the winners. County star Daniel Goulding hit six points for the winners.

A hat-trick of goals from corner-forward Ian Lordan powered St. Finbarr’s to another Cork Premier MFC final at the expense of Na Piarsaigh in Ballincollig on Saturday.

Lordan’s goals were both timely and decisive, coming at a time when Na Piarsaigh were all over their opponents.

The first arrived in the 25th minute when his side trailed by 0-6 to 0-4 but by the half time whistle they were in front after points from Adrian Murphy and Dara Comyns. Two more in the 41st and 43rd minutes propelled them into a 3-7 to 0-8 points entering the final quarter and there was no way back for Na Piarsaigh thereafter.

Castlelyons won the County Premier 2 minor hurling championship title in a thrilling replay against Bandon 3-10 to 0-12.

Already winners of this year’s county U21B hurling title, they fielded all but four of that side yesterday and the experience of the Spillane brothers Colm and Mike, Colm Barry, Ronan Fenton, and Brian Carroll was massive in the context of this minor victory.

A Mike Spillane goal had them 1-4 to 0-5 in front at the break and two more second half majors from Ronan Fenton and Brian Fenton handed the east Cork club a deserved win, despite the best efforts of Bandon’s Mark Sugrue who finished the game with eight points.

A free from Mark Cavanagh handed Charleville the County MAHC final in Mallow yesterday after a thrilling one point victory over Watergrasshill.