Tough derby ends level as Hayes strikes for Carbery

WE could have done without the excesses of physical challenges on and off the ball which prevailed for much of the game in Clonakilty’s state-of-the-art complex on Saturday afternoon.

But, on the positive side, this west Cork derby produced a fascinating contest that ended with an equaliser for Carbery Rangers 10 seconds from the end of a second half extended by seven and a half minutes.

County player John Hayes was the one who kept their hopes of a Cork SFC semi-final against Castlehaven alive, showing calmness in forcing a draw from his excellently-kicked 45-yard free off the ground. That cancelled out a 59th-minute point from Barry Horgan and, as Newcestown manager Jim O’Sullivan acknowledged, they missed opportunities of increasing their lead in the final minutes.