Deane and desire see Blues home

Pride and a fanatical will to win were abundant ingredients in Bantry’s win over Beara in Saturday’s semi-final thriller in Kealkil.

In a titanic struggle, a sixth-minute Bantry goal ultimately decided the contest when Ruarai Deane was put through by Colm O’Sullivan and the Cork U21 player gave capable Beara keeper Alan Dunne no chance.

It was a score Bantry were quick to build on and with Cathal Power, Tadhg Downey and David Daly keeping things quiet at the back, the Blues, with Kevin Casey drawing the fouls, had eased six points clear before the divisional side got out of blocks.