Haven value for progress but Clonakilty given reprieve

Both Castlehaven and Clon remained in the qualifying spots.

Sun, 10 Sep, 2023 - 18:30

Eoghan Cormican, Bandon

Cork Premier SFC: Castlehaven 1-16 Clonakilty 1-14

Victory and progression for Castlehaven, but advancing also are Clonakilty. There was relief and a reprieve for the latter when the unexpected result came through from Timoleague that Valley Rovers had toppled Carbery Rangers.

Both Clonakilty and Castlehaven came into Sunday’s Round 3 fixture occupying the top two positions in the group, and while this result saw the pair swap first and second place, crucially, they both remained in the qualifying spots.

Clon, who were without the injured Seán White, are hopeful of having the former Cork senior back inside the whitewash for their quarter-final against reigning champions Nemo in a fortnight.

Having been much maligned for their involvement in the 0-6 apiece stalemate against Carbery Rangers last time out, Clon’s football was far more front foot and fluid here. They had equaled that 0-6 Round 2 tally as early as the end of the first quarter.

“Against Rosscarbery, we just couldn’t play football because it was all blocked up. But we went at it today,” said Clon selector Eoin Ryan.

“Castlehaven, in fairness, you can always go out and play football with them. We played well and we put in a performance. We are obviously disappointed we didn’t win, but look, we are into the next round. We get to fight another day, which is great.”

Castlehaven manager James McCarthy praised the fare on show and how neither side attempted to advance by means of containment.

“It was super football from both. That’s what people want to come to see. That’s what draws the crowds,” McCarthy began.

“You don’t want to lose, but I’d rather lose on that kind of scoreline than lose 0-6 to 0-5. Nobody wants to come to see that.”

There were two key turning points to this game, one in either half. Both typified Castlehaven's experience.

Clon’s start was so impressive. Their fellow West Cork men struggled to cope with their movement and directness.

Ahead by 0-5 to 0-3 on 13 minutes, Clon’s marauding midfielder Ben Ridgeway sought to find Odhran Bancroft for a tap-in goal, but his pass was superbly intercepted by Mark Collins.

Less than two minutes later, the green flag was waved at the other end. Michael Hurley drew the bodies, allowing older brother Brian slip inside unnoticed. One sibling fed another and the net shook.

The goal saw Haven belatedly arrive at the pitch of proceedings. Their forwards took over. For while Clon subsequently levelled (1-3 to 0-6), McCarthy’s marksmen then threw over six of the game’s next seven scores to open up a 1-9 to 0-7 lead. It was a five-point advantage they carried with them to the break.

Clonakilty, who moved David Lowney from the full-back line out the field for the second period, wiped out that five-point deficit during a resurgent third quarter showing.

Cork corner-back Maurice Shanley goaled within 40 seconds of the restart. A Conor Daly free less than a minute later had them back within the minimum. Shanley won the equalising free which Darragh Gough converted.

Conor Cahalane had shoved Castlehaven back in front when Brian Hurley was lost to a black card foul on Mark White. And although Ross Mannix tied matters at 1-11 apiece on 44 minutes, that was Clon’s sole score during their period of numerical advantage. They never took the lead.

The Haven’s collective nous came to the surface while Hurley sat in the bin. Their game-management was smart, the clock routinely killed to eat into the 10 minutes.

With Hurley off the field, Mark Collins stepped up his leadership role.

The former Cork senior kicked a 47th minute free to return them 1-12 to 1-11 ahead and then followed with a fisted effort to double their advantage.

Three times Clon cut the margin to the minimum late doors. No equaliser could they find, though. Impressive Jack Cahalane, twice, and Michael Hurley split the posts to give the winners that modicum of breathing space. Both were still breathing in the championship at the final whistle.

“We are back in Páirc Uí Chaoimh again, fourth year in-a-row. We love going there,” McCarthy continued. “Delighted for the younger lads. There were people maybe doubting us coming into this game, we weren’t firing the last two games. But we have only been beaten once at the group stage in the four years of the new format.”

On they march, Ballincollig now between them and a fourth consecutive county semi-final appearance.

Scorers for Castlehaven: B Hurley (1-4, 0-1 free); J Cahalane (0-4); M Collins (0-1 free), M Hurley (0-3 each); C Cahalane, S Browne (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clonakilty: D Gough (0-4, 0-1 free), C Daly (0-4, 0-3 frees); M Shanley (1-0); R Mannix, J Leahy (0-2 each); T Clancy, B Ridgeway (0-1 each).

CASTLEHAVEN: Darragh Cahalane; T O’Mahony, R Maguire, J O’Regan; C O’Sullivan, Damien Cahalane, M Collins; A Whelton, B Hurley, S Browne; J O’Driscoll, M Hurley, J Cahalane.

Subs: J O’Neill for Minihane (33).

CLONAKILTY: M White; D Peet, D Lowney, L O’Donovan; J O’Mahony, T Clancy, C Kenneally; M Shanley, B Ridgeway; O Bancroft, D Gough, C Daly; J Leahy, R Mannix, S McEvoy.

Subs: N Barrett for Bancroft (25); T O’Connell for Leahy (HT, inj); D O’Sullivan for Ridgeway (57).

Referee: J Regan.