Castlehaven are back in county senior football final

Castlehaven 1-13

O’Donovan Rossa 0-13

CASTLEHAVEN took the bragging rights on Sunday but more importantly won a place in the Cork SFC final.

The 2012 and ’13 champions saw off the brave challenge of local rivals, O’Donovan Rossa, in a semi-final at Páirc Uí Rinn that never really sparked into life, despite the enormity of the clash.

The Haven will now meet Nemo Rangers in the county final on October 18^th, which will be a repeat of the 2013 final that the West Cork side won.

Castlehaven got off to the dream start when they raced 1-6 to 0-1 ahead after less than ten minutes.

Brian Hurley, Michael Hurley and Sean Dineen all scored points before Brian Hurley goaled for the winners.

While Donal Og Hodnett had hit Skibb’s first point, more scores followed from Stephen Hurley, Brian Hurley and Paudie Hurley (free), as the Haven bossed the early exchanges.

It looked bleak for the Rossas as they were nervous on the ball and whatever chances they had early on, they missed – Dave Shannon had the goal at his mercy, but he punched the ball across the goal.

Three points in a row from the Rossas – Donal Og (2) and Daniel Hazel – gave Skibbereen some hope, as they grew into this semi-final, with Hazel and Donal Og Hodnett driving them forward.

Damien Cahalane ended Haven’s 15 minutes without a score, but Skibb replied with a Kevin Davis point. The teams swapped more points just before the break, Paudie Crowley for the Rossas and Brian Hurley for Castlehaven, who led 1-8 to 0-6.

After the teams traded points at the start of the second half, Castlehaven were awarded a penalty, but Brian Hurley’s low shot was well saved by keeper Ryan Price, at the expense of a 45, which Paudie Hurley converted (1-10 to 0-7).

The sides swapped scores but the game became scrappy, as Donal Og Hodnett (2) and Thomas Hegarty were on target for Skibb, while Mark Collins, Brian Hurley and Shane Nolan kept the winners in front (1-13 to 0-10), as the final stages loomed.

Then Conor McCarthy’s close-range finish pulled a goal back for the Rossas to leave just three points between the teams, but try as they like Skibbereen couldn’t conjure up what would have been a dramatic leveller.

Castlehaven’s big game experience played a big role in this semi-final win but they will know big improvement is needed before the county final against a Nemo side that saw off Carbery Rangers earlier in the day.

Scorers

Castlehaven: Brian Hurley 1-5 (2f), Paudie Hurley 0-2 (1f, 1 45), Michael Hurley, Sean Dineen, Stephen Hurley, Damien Cahalane, Mark Collins, Shane Nolan 0-1 each.

O’Donovan Rossa: Donal Og Hodnett 0-5 (2f), Conor McCarthy 1-1, Daniel Hazel, Kevin Davis, Paudie Crowley, Thomas Hegarty 0-1 each.