Castletownbere again too hot for Adrigole

CASTLETOWNBERE cruised to a comfortable victory over local rivals Adrigole in this Cork IFC fourth round clash at Cahermore yesterday.

Castletownbere, playing against the strong breeze in the opening half, started slowly but, prompted by some good attacking play from Dean Murphy and a well executed goal by experienced full-forward Alan O’Regan, enabled them to hold a commanding six points interval lead.

Adrigole started the second-half in whirwind fashion to raise hopes of a comeback, but Castletownbere quickly re-established their superiority, with midfield ace David Fenton impressive, to secure a comfortable victory for the second successive year over their derby rivals and a quarter-final meeting against Aghabullogue.

Adrigole started brightly, registering the opening point in the fourth minute when former Cork senior Brendan Jer O’Sullivan scored. Dean Murphy replied with a brace of points to move Castletownbere in front, a lead they were subsequently never to relinquish. Alan O’Regan expertly finished off a well worked move featuring David Fenton and James Murphy to move his outfit into a deserved four point lead after the opening quarter.

The pace of the game was unrelenting with both sides displaying admirable commitment in a vigorously contested encounter. Adrigole, with Gerard Green prominent at centre-forward, reduced the deficit to two points after 20 minutes following two long range points from Brendan Jer O’Sullivan and Sean O’Shea. Castletownbere, with Andrew O’Sullivan and David Fenton dominant at midfield, finished the half strongly, notching four consecutive points per Trevor Collins, Lorcan Harrington, David Murphy and Andrew O’Sullivan to establish a six point interval lead.

Adrigole started the second-half with renewed urgency, quickly reducing the deficit to four following a brace of points from Kevin Jer O’Sullivan. The Castletownbere response was swift, however, with Fenton and Alan Harrington, who made an impressive contribution following his introduction as a substitute, adding points to open up a seven point lead entering the final quarter.

Kevin Goggin and Alan Harrington traded points for their respective teams to maintain the status quo as Adrigole fought gallantly to preserve their championship aspirations. They laid siege to the Castletownbere goal in the closing stages but could not breach a resolute Castletownbere defence.

Cork minor David Harrington and Brendan Jer O’Sullivan added late consolation points for Adrigole, whilst Alan Harrington struck his third point of the game to seal a deserved victory for Castletownbere.

Scorers for Castletownbere: A O’Regan 1-1 (1f); A Harrington 0-3; D Murphy 0-2; T Collins, L Harrington, D Murphy, A O’Sullivan, D Fenton 0-1 each.

Scorers for Adrigole: B J O’Sullivan 0-3; K J O’Sullivan 0-2; S O’Shea, K Goggin (f), D Harrington 0-1 each.

CASTLETOWNBERE: L Hanley; P Deane, D Wiseman, E Wiseman; T Collins, B O’Regan, D O’Sullivan; A O’Sullivan, D Fenton; L Harrington, J Murphy, D Murphy; D Nolan, A O’Regan, D Murphy.

Subs: A Harrington for Nolan (40); S McCarthy for Deane (45); J Walsh for J Murphy (53); C Sheehan for D Murphy (58).

ADRIGOLE: W O’Sullivan; C O’Shea, S J O’Sullivan, P B O’Sullivan; B Goggin, E J O’Sullivan, J Goggin; S O’Shea, L Harrington; K J O’Sullivan, G Green, TJ O’Sullivan; K Goggin, B J O’Sullivan, D Harrington.

Subs: D Carey for E J O’Sullivan, T O’Shea for Green (both ht); K O’Sullivan for J Goggin (45); C O’Neill for P B O’Sullivan (50).

Referee: K Murphy (Nemo Rangers).