Macroom dig deep to give Bantry the blues

ACTION aplenty in Ballingeary on Saturday, some superb football too, with Macroom finishing strongly to end Bantry Blues’ ambitions for another season.

Bantry might well bemoan not putting away a gilt edged early goal chance when wing back Mark Delaney’s well struck drive was brilliantly saved by Macroom keeper James O’Connell. But, when substitute Jeremy Canty did strike for the game’s only goal in the 49th minute, a score which ultimately turned a four-point half-time deficit into a two-point lead, they were unable to press ahead.

“Brilliant, the lads were brilliant,” said Macroom coach Noel Twomey.

“I’m delighted. Bantry are a tough side, but the way we came back after that goal and upped our game was very pleasing. I thought we got some great points afterwards to put them away, the lads just kept going and believed in themselves.”

Quickly into their stride, Macroom were first on the scoreboard with a Fintan Goold free. However, Declan Barron was just as accurate at the other end. But, with Graham Canty taking an early grip at midfield, it was no surprise when Bantry went ahead — Michael O’Sullivan pointing after good work by the Cork captain and Shane O’Neill.

Then came that Bantry goal chance. No question it was a huge let-off for Macroom as Olan Murphy soon equalised. Barron and Fintan Goold then exchanged points to leave it tied at 0-3 apiece after the opening quarter and it was turning into a lively contest.

Macroom were a different proposition in the second quarter, astute switches having the desired effect as they outplayed Bantry all over the park .Wing back Kieran Murphy moved to centre-back, releasing Fintan Goold to midfield to keep tabs on Canty; Sean Kiely went to wing back and with Eoin O’Mahony sublime in the heart of the Macroom defence, there was only one team in it.

Brendan Lynch, Andrew Hegarty, David and John Goold and Kiely fired over great points to leave Bantry almost for dead, their lone reply coming from a Michael O’Sullivan free, as Macroom led 0-8 to 0-4 at the break.

Bantry resumed with Rory Deane at full-forward and Michael O’Sullivan at wing forward, also bringing John Harrington into the action. But there was no stopping Macroom, David Goold stretching their lead after great defensive work by Peter Lynch.

But Bantry, great battlers, were in no mood to lie down and hit back with some sterling play, particularly from Delaney, Pat Daly, Canty and substitute Gavin O’Shea. First Delaney pointed; then sub Harrington. And when Barron got another there were just three points between the sides, 0-10 to 0-7, entering what proved to be a riveting final quarter.

Then Barron showed the kind of finishing skill his classy father would have been proud of with two gems of points. It certainly lifted Bantry, for a superb goal quickly followed, John Harrington and Delaney combining for Jeremy Canty to put Bantry into the lead.

Bantry should have went for the kill now. Amazingly, however, the goal only served to spur Macroom, the mid-Cork side hitting back with a vengeance. John Goold stepped up to the plate with his second point and, with five minutes remaining, Philip Corrigan tied things up to put the game in the melting pot. Time to step up and be counted now, and it was Macroom who had all the answers, well worked points from Hegarty and John Goold ensuring a quarter-final date with either Mallow or Clyda Rovers, who must meet again after their stalemate in Killavullen.

Scorers for Macroom: F Goold (frees), J Goold 0-3 each, A Hegarty, D Goold 0-2 each, O Murphy, B Lynch, S Kiely, P Corrigan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Bantry: D Barron 0-5 (2fs), J Canty 1-0, M O’Sullivan 0-2 (1f), M Delaney, J Harrington 0-1 each.

MACROOM: J O’Connell; P Lynch, E O’Mahony, R Buckley; G Angland, F Goold, K Murphy; P Corrigan, D Goold; B Lynch, S Kiely, I Casey; A Hegarty, J Goold, O Murphy.

Subs: S Casey for Angland (44), P Lucey for O Murphy (56), C O’Sullivan for Kiely (60).

BANTRY BLUES: D Murray; N. Canty, K Harrington, K Deane; S O’Neill, D O’Sullivan, M Delaney; P Daly, G Canty; R Deane, M O’Sullivan, J Downey; D Barron, S Coghlan, S Drummey.

Subs: J Harrington for Coghlan (ht), G O’Shea for M O’Sullivan (39), J Canty for Drummey (39).

Referee: G. Harrington (Carrigaline).