Spot-on Jake Hawkins wins it for Ringmahon Rangers against Bandon

Ringmahon Rangers 2 Bandon  2

Jake Hawkins scored the decisive spot kick to ensure the Munster Senior League First Division side’s passage into the next stage of the competition.

Ninety minutes could not separate the sides in Bandon on Thursday and it was no different at Ringmahon Park, where the game went right down to the wire.

Roy Kenny put Rangers ahead from the penalty spot shortly before half-time after Kevin O’Regan was felled in the area and they were on course for victory until Brendan Cullen’s header forced the game into extra- time.

Marauding winger Patrick O’Brien restored Ringmahon’s lead with a close-range header, but Cullen’s sensational free-kick kept the tie alive for Bandon, who were forced to play with nine men following red cards to Aiden O’Donoghue and Keith Holden.

Despite their spirited fight-back, the West Cork outfit stuttered at the final hurdle as Ringmahon showed their mettle.

James Kirby stood strong to deny Lee Collins’ spot-kick and Hawkins made no mistake in his subsequent penalty, driving the ball low and to the left, well beyond the reach of Stephen O’Neill.

RINGMAHON: Kirby, Delaney, Forde, Kidney, Foley, Deasy, Coughland, Kenny, O’Regan, Blake, O’Brien.

Subs: Hawkins for Foley (65), O’Donvan for O’Regan (72),

BANDON: O’Neill, O’Donovan, Barry, Holland, O’Donoghue, Dunlea, Harrington, Lordan, Cullen, Holland, Holden.

Subs: Crowley for Harrington (84), Hurley for Lordan (104), Collins for Hurley (118).

Referee: Edwin McNally.