Stalemate sees Bantry into last-six, condemns Macroom to relegation playoff

Bantry, who were without injured Cork senior Ruairi Deane, will next meet Nemo Rangers.

LATE SHOW: Macroom's Alan Quinn takes on Bantry's Billy Foley during the Bon Secours Cork Premier IFC at Ballingeary. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Sat, 09 Sep, 2023 - 20:13

Eoghan Cormican, Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh

Bantry Blues 1-10 Macroom 0-13

Although Bantry remain unbeaten in the Cork Premier IFC, their failure to hold on for a third straight group win saw them miss out on direct passage to the semi-finals.

Last year’s beaten finalists, who were without injured Cork senior Ruairi Deane, instead move on to the quarter-finals where they will meet Nemo Rangers.

For Macroom, their failure to capitalise on a single one of the six goal opportunities they fashioned means they will fight relegation against Na Piarsaigh.

The point earned here, thanks to three unanswered injury-time white flags, was not enough to stave off a relegation scrap given the aforementioned Nemo over in Group A, who were also winless coming into Round 3, got the better of Rockchapel.

Indeed, in an extraordinary final round of action, Nemo went from fourth in their group to scraping into the knockout phase.

After Macroom midfielder David Horgan converted his fourth free in the sixth minute of second-half injury-time to tie proceedings, referee Cathal Egan allowed for one more play. Macroom did have a chance to claim victory during that final passage, but their winning attempt lacked the necessary legs.

Studying the concluded three groups, had Macroom managed a one-point win, they would have avoided a relegation play-off on account of having a one-point better score difference than Bandon (-9 to -10).

Alas, they were left to rue the succession of goal chances not taken. It began with Alan Quinn hitting the post on 17 minutes. Up next was Ethan O’Gorman who, with the goalkeeper rounded, saw his shot blocked by the last-ditch heroics of Cillian O’Brien. And on and on it went.

Macroom, despite only one first half point from play, were the better side in the opening half hour. They led 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.

Bantry, already qualified, only needed one green flag opening to present itself. Corner-forward Paddy Cronin, put through by midfielder Seanie O’Leary, bristled the net on 43 minutes. A pair of O’Sullivan and Cronin points shortly after had Bantry firmly in the box seat at 1-7 to 0-6 in front entering the final quarter.

Credit to Macroom who fought gallantly to work themselves back into contention. And while they succeeded in ending their losing run, they needed more than they got here.

Scorers for Bantry Blues: P Cronin (1-4, 0-2 frees); A Coakley (0-2); M Óg O’Sullivan, S O’Leary, K Casey, C O’Brien (0-1 each).

Scorers for Macroom: F Goold, D Horgan (0-4 frees each); A Quinn (0-2); T Dineen, E O’Leary (free), B O’Gorman (0-1 each).

Bantry Blues: M Casey; C O’Brien, B Foley, T Cronin; S Thornton, J O’Neill, E Minehan; S O’Leary, D McCarthy; M Óg O’Sullivan, K Casey, S Keevers; A Coakley, D Daly, P Cronin.

Subs: C Cronin for Thornton (51); O O’Neill for Daly (54).

Macroom: B O’Connell; J Murphy, R Buckley, D Creedon; M Corrigan, T Dineen, J O’Riordan; F Goold, D Horgan; M Hunt, S Kiely, E O’Gorman; E O’Leary, A Quinn, D Twomey.

Subs: B O’Gorman for E O’Gorman (40 mins); C Dineen for Quinn (52, inj).

Referee: C Egan.

Cork PIFC quarter-finals: Bantry v Nemo Rangers; Cill na Martra v Iveleary.

Semi-finals: Kilshannig v Bantry/Nemo Rangers; Castletownbere v Cill na Martra/Iveleary