Corn Uí Mhuirí: Happy Hammies turn over IS Kenmare to top Group 4

HHS Bandon have topped group 4

Corn Ui Mhuiri Group 4: Inbhear Sceine Kenmare 2-9 Hamilton HS Bandon 1-15 

HHS Bandon deservedly upset the form book when they saw off the challenge of a strangely subdued Inbhear Sceine Kenmare side after a thrilling and high quality contest.

The math’s were simple for both sides. For Kenmare a win or a draw and they would top the group - but they had the safety net of knowing a loss would only mean having to play a preliminary quarter-final. For the Hammies a win was a must in order to top the group, a draw would see them finish second while a loss would lead to all sorts of bother as Clonakilty knew exactly what they had to do to better Bandon’s scoring difference. Now the Monday clash of Clonakilty and Bishopstown is a dead rubber.

Bandon got off to a flyer when they fired over two points inside the opening couple of minutes thanks to fine efforts from Oisin McCarthy and Kevin Hannon after he forced a turnover from a short Kenmare kick-out. Kenmare were slow to get into the game but Bandon, needing the win, were vicious in every tackle.

Matters got worse for the Kerry side in the sixth minute when a long ball from centre back Jack Cullinane was not dealt with and Sean Murphy found the net with a deft overhead flick.

Kenmare eventually got going thanks to the driving runs of star man Donnacha O’Sullivan. After three poor wides, Jack Tangney converted a 10th minute free and they were on their way.

Kenmare struck for a goal that came after Tangney knocked down a high ball into the path of Cathal Kelleher who finished calmly to the Bandon net. Tangney then kicked Kenmare in front as Bandon knew they were now in a contest.

But Oisin McCarthy and a free from Humphrey Canty saw the sides level at 1-4 apiece before Donnacha O’Sullivan powered Kenmare in front again.

Bandon, however, were winning all the breaking ball and Kenmare could not match their intensity as Bandon added three late points from McCarthy, Charlie Twomey and Luke Casey, to lead 1-7 to 1-5 at the interval.

Two early second period points from McCarthy and Kevin Hannon put Bandon four clear and Kenmare spent the second half playing catch-up. Bandon’s Jack Cullinane and Niall Daly had the Kenmare attack in a vice like grip.

Kenmare did draw level in the 50th when Jack O’Sullivan finished to the net making it 2-8 to 1-11. But after McCarthy and Neil O’Shea swapped points, Kevin Hannon kicked Bandon in front and with Kenmare firing blanks, it was Cullinane and Murphy who sealed top spot for the Hammies.

Scorers for HHS Bandon: O McCarthy (0-6, 2fs, 1’45), S Murphy (1-1), K Hannon (0-3), J Cullinane (0-2), L Casey, H Canty (f) and C Twomey (0-1 each).

Scorers for IS Kenmare: J Tangney (0-5, 4fs), J O’Sullivan and C Kelliher (1-0 each), D O’Sullivan (0-3), N O’Shea (0-1).

BANDON: B Curtin (Valley Rovers); N Daly (Valley Rovers), G Murphy, B Coffey (Clonakilty); R Tarrant (Bandon), J Cullinane (Bandon), L Casey (Valley Rovers); O Gillian (Kilbrittain), S Coffey (Clonakilty); C Twomey (Argideen Rovers), O McCarthy (Valley Rovers), S Browne (Valley Rovers); H Canty (Newcestown), K Hannon(Bandon), S Murphy (Dohenys).

Subs: C Murphy (Valley Rovers) for S Browne (45), D Flynn (Argideen Rovers) for C Twomey (52), G Murphy (Bandon) for J O’Driscoll (51), L Humphreys (Valley Rovers) for L Casey (54), D Walsh (Argideen Rovers) for K Hannon (60). 

IS KENMARE: B Fitzsimons (Kenmare Shamrocks); J Sweeney, B O’Callaghan (do), D O’Connor (do); D O’Brien (do), M Tangney (do), S O’Donoghue (Kilgarvan); J O’Sullivan (Kenmare Shamrocks), D O’Sullivan (Tuosist); C Kelliher (Kilgarvan), D Grebowiec (Kenmare Shamrocks), K O’Sullivan (Kilgarvan) , J Tangney (do), L O’Sullivan, (do) N O’Shea (do).

Subs: L Browne (Kenmare Shamrocks) for C Kelliher (39), R MacGearailt for S O’Donoghue (42), A O’Sullivan (Kenmare) for D Grebowiec (45), M O’Mahony (Templenoe) for K O’Sullivan (55). 

Referee: T McGlinchey (Tipperary).