Crowley brace does the trick for Bandon

THE South West JAFC title is back in Bandon for the third time in five years after last evening’s final in Clonakilty.

Two goals from substitute Philip Crowley, the first just seconds after his 20th minute introduction, were vital to the winners cause which was also served well by some splendid Pat Prendergast saves and a man of the match display by Cork minor player Mark Sugrue.

For Clann na nGael it was their second successive final loss and on this occasion they contributed to their defeat with some poor freetaking at crucial times in a contest where the winner’s played the final 15 minutes with just 14 men.

Eoghan O’Donovan’s sending off, when he was at the peak of his powers, came about as the result of a high tackle that brought a red card in the 43rd minute. At that stage Bandon were 2-8 to 0-8 to the good but they managed to plug the gaps and hold out for a hard-earned triumph in a contest where Darren Crowley along with Eoghan O’Donovan were first to show in their attack.

The winners cantered into a three-point lead before the losers got going and a brace of from William O’Mahony gave promise of a close-fought game before substitute Crowley made his first contribution.

The move began after the losers lost possession going forward and once again Ronan Crowley and O’Donovan were involved with the latter’s delivery fisted to the net by the substitute with his first touch. From the resultant kickout O’Donovan pointed to put Bandon 1-6 to 0-3 ahead before a William O’Mahony piledriver almost pulled a goal back before the break. However the upright came to the winner’s rescue in a contest where Clann na nGael restarted with renewed enthusiasm.

With half-time substitute Danny Holland shoring up midfield and their attack flying, Clann na Gael tacked on three unanswered points but also had William O’Mahony off target with his freetaking.

Ten minutes after the resumption the winners had Philip Crowley tapping home a Mark Sugrue ‘45 for a second goal which was allowed stand despite the losers’ claims of a square ball infringement. Then Bandon were reduced to 14 players and with Denis O’Driscoll, Derek Crowley and Jamie Walsh to the fore the Drimoleague/Drinagh outfit had Pat Joe O’Donovan serving up their goal 11 minutes from the end.

In the time remaining, they peppered the Bandon goal but to no avail, with the winners breaking out of defence to snipe a few scores that left two goals between the sides at the end of a rousing decider.

Scorers for Bandon: P Crowley 2-2, M Sugrue 0-4 (2fs, 1 45), D Crowley, J Hickey 0-2 each, E O’Donovan, J McCarthy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clann na nGael: J Walsh (4fs), W O’Mahony (2fs) 0-4 each, PJ O’Donovan 1-0, V Collins 0-1.

BANDON: P Prendergast; J Harrington, K Lucey, C O’Mahony; P Murphy, J Milner, C Dullea; J Hickey, T O’Donoghue; E O’Donovan, D Aherne, D Crowley; M Sugrue, A Johnson, R Moloney.

Subs: P Crowley for R Moloney, D Murphy for J Milner, C Sugrue for T O’Donoghue, J McCarthy for C O’Mahony, D Lucey for K Lucey.

CLANN NA NGAEL: A McCarthy; G Kingston, T Connolly, JJ Collins; D Crowley, F O’Connell, D O’Driscoll; G O’Donovan, B O’Connell; W O’Mahony, J Walsh, V Collins; S Connolly, PJ O’Donovan, A O’Driscoll.

Subs: E Crowley for A O’Driscoll, D Holland for JJ Collins, T Hayes for S Connolly.

Referee: Frank Quill (Bantry).