Powerful Buttevant subdue Canovee challenge to reach Premier Junior decider

In a clinical display of attacking football, all of their scores came from play

Mark Healy, Canovee turns away from a challenge from Anthony O’Neill, Buttevant in the McCarthy Insurance Group PJFC SF Buttevant vs Canovee in

Cork Premier JFC semi-final: Buttevant 2-16, Canovee 0-12 

BUTTEVANT quelled the intentions of Canovee in an impressive performance in the McCarthy Insurance Group Co. Premier JAFC semi final at Glantane on Saturday.

In a powerhouse showing, all of their scores came from play, a clinical display of attacking football. A string of high fives greeted the outcome amongst Buttevant players, the satisfaction of team manager Joey Hanlon related a successful mission accomplished.

“Lat season, we underperformed against eventual champions Kilmurry in a semi-final, that experience gained proved invaluable. The new playing rules have been a huge boost too for we possess serious forwards," he said.

“While our attack takes the plaudits, our defence has been incredible, doubling and trebling up when needed to lay the platform to mount rewarding moves."

The perfect start for Buttevant, Mark Lenehan delivering a two-pointer from the throw-in. Though Canovee opened their account from a Jack Kelleher pointed free, Buttevant pressed forward, the Hanlon brothers, David and Conor on target to split the uprights.

Central to Buttevant’s superiority was the powerful presence of Michael Walsh, Seamus Madigan and Anthony O’Neill.

Up front, David Hanlon kicked back to back points, Lenehen adding his second two-pointer.

A labouring Canovee attempted a recovery, Buttevant ‘keeper Ronan Donovan denied Evan Dodd before a Kelleher point reduced the leeway 0-9 to 0-4 at half time.

Buttevant found a slicker gear on the changeover, Michael O’Neill placed Conor Hanlon to net. Canovee played their way back into contention, their initial score from play surfaced in the 35th minute courtesy of Mark Healy.

However Canovee faced an uphill task after a long-range delivery from Kevin Lenehen deceived keeper Ben Cheasty in the bright sunshine for an opportunist goal. In fairness Canovee weren’t prepared to let their challenge collapse, two pointers from Kelleher and Conor Dodd narrowed the arrears, 2-11 to 0-10 at the three quarter stage.

The Buttevant response was both positive and effective, regaining the reins of control with the Hanlon brothers obliging with points. Though Kelleher and Dodd replied for Canovee, they were unable to rescue a lost cause.

Buttevant advance to a county final against St. Nick’s, hoping to repeat a Co. Intermediate title won dating back to 1926.

Scorers for Buttevant: D Hanlon 0-6, M Lenehan 0-6 (2tp), C Hanlon 1-2, K Lenehan 1-0, M O’Neill, P Behan 0-1 each.

Canovee: J Kelleher 0-7 (0-5f, 1tpf), C Dodd 0-3 (1tp), M Healy 0-2.

BUTTEVANT: R Donovan; M Walsh, J Whelan, K Crowley; S Madigan, K Bowles, J O’Neill; A O’Neill, K Lenahan; M Lenahan, C Hanlon, D Ryan; D Hanlon, M O’Neill, A Trimm. 

Subs: K Sheehan for D Ryan (26), B O’Riordan for S Madigan (41), B O’Connor for K Bowles (55), P Behan for M O’Neill (57).

CANOVEE: B Cheasty; E Lehane, E McNabola, D O’Sullivan; C Dodd, R Delany, E Cunningham; A Murphy, C O’Neill; L Kelleher, J Moynihan, M Healy; A Moynihan, E Dodd, J Kelleher. 

Subs: D McMahon for D O’Sullivan (HT), S O’Connor for L Kelleher (46), W Aherne for E Cunningham (46), E McNabola for E Dodd (53).

Referee: Jerry Kelleher (St. John’s).

CORK SPORT

A collection of the latest sports news, reports and analysis from Cork.