Hard-working Castletownbere exhibit silverware credentials
CRUCIAL: Castletownbere goalkeeper Dean Hegarty saves a penalty taken by Bandon's Tadgh Twohig. Pic: Anne Marie Cronin Photography
A Dean Hegarty penalty save was crucial in helping Castletownbere see off Bandon to book a Bon Secours Cork Premier IFC semi-final berth in Aughaville on Saturday evening.
Having emerged from the Premier IFC group stages for the first time since the format changed, Castletownbere are now serious contenders for county honours.
Group victories over Nemo Rangers (by a point), Rockchapel (by two points) and now Bandon have the Beara club in rude health.
“That was a very hard-earned win,” Castletownbere manager Morgan O’Sullivan admitted.
“That is what we expected as all the teams in our group were evenly matched. All the games in our group could have gone either way so we are delighted to win tonight.
“I haven’t thought that far forward but I know we haven’t been in a county semi-final in eight years. It is definitely going to be a boost to the players and the club.”
The Beara men’s third Group A success in as many outings was forged by a solid defensive effort, Gary Murphy’s free-taking accuracy and a crucial penalty save.
It was 0-10 to 0-7 in the eventual winners favour and early in the second period when Darren Crowley was hauled down in the Castletownbere square.
A penalty was awarded and, although Aidan O’Mahony’s spot-kick was well hit, goalkeeper Dean Hegarty made a superb save.
From there, Castletownbere maintained their lead and saw out a difficult closing spell to reach the Premier IFC county semi-finals.
As for Bandon, a superb comeback victory over Nemo Rangers means the lilywhites have avoided a relegation play-off. A young core to Bandon’s panel should be all the better for their 2023 experiences.
Tomás Murphy was twice denied an opening goal by Bandon goalkeeper Oisin Doyle during a frenetic start.
It was 0-2 apiece after 10 entertaining minutes with Darren Crowley and Charlie Long (free) on target for Bandon and Dean Hegarty (45) and James Harrington scoring for their opponents.
Castletownbere would finish the half with four fisted points and the first two of those came via Billy Murphy to make it 0-4 to 0-2.
The leaders added four more scores via Lee Kelly (two), James Harrington and Gary Murphy to edge 0-8 to 0-6 ahead at the break. Mark Sugrue, Aidan O’Mahony, Charlie Long and Darren Crowley kept Bandon in touch heading into the second period.
It was 0-10 to 0-7 when Dean Hegarty made his crucial penalty save and Castletownbere responded. Gary Murphy (free) and James Harrington extended the lead to five before substitute Michael Cahalane replied.
Aidan O’Mahony’s converted free made it a one-score game but once again, the Beara club found another gear as a brace of Gary Murphy frees afforded some breathing room. O’Mahony converted another placed ball to make it 0-14 to 0-10 as time ran out.
Another substitute, Fintan Fenner, restored his team’s five-point advantage prior to Aidan O’Mahony converting his fourth free of the evening.
Although they threw additional numbers forward and peppered their opponents square during the dying embers, Castletownbere registered a merited four-point win.
G Murphy 0-4 (0-3 frees), J Harrington 0-3, B Murphy and Kelly 0-2 each, D Hegarty (0-1, 45), T Collins, T Murphy (0-1 free), F Fenner 0-1 each.
A O’Mahony 0-5 (0-4 frees), C Long (0-1 free) and D Crowley 0-2 each, M Sugrue and M Cahalane 0-1 each.
D Hegarty; L Harrington (captain), J Rosales, B Murphy; S McCarthy, T Collins, D Hanley; A O’Sullivan, O Byrne; O Murphy, J Harrington, K O’Sullivan; G Murphy, L Kelly, K O’Sullivan.
F Fenner for T Murphy (40), D Dunne for O Byrne (40), J Hanley for K O’Sullivan (51), M Orpen for O Murphy (60), J O’Neill for L Kelly (61).
O Doyle; P Murphy, E Twomey, E McSweeney; C Calnan, B Crowley, C O’Mahony; T Twohig, A O’Mahony; P Callanan, D Crowley (captain), C Long; J Mulcahy, M Sugrue, J Callanan.
E Hurley for P Callanan (ht), M Cahalane for M Sugrue (37), R Long for C Long (37), H O’Mahony for J Callanan (47), S Ahern for E Twomey (48, inj), R O’Driscoll for C Calnan (57).
Alan O’Connor (Ballygarvan).
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