CASTLELACK 2

BUNRATTY UNITED 7

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

CONOR Brosnan’s third consecutive hat-trick handed Bunratty United a seasonal OBrienWaterServices.com West Cork League Championship promotion boost in Brinny on Sunday.

The in-form Brosnan struck three goals for the third time in as many games as United overpowered Castlelack to move into second place in the division.

Relegated from last season’s Premier Division, the Schull club issued a timely reminder of their intention to return to the West Cork League’s top tier.

A young Bunratty squad, that graduated from the West Cork Schoolboys and Schoolgirls League, controlled proceedings from first minute to last.

This powerful display suggests United will be in the mix for promotion, if not the title itself, come season’s end. As for Castlelack, the concession of four first-half goals meant the result was decided by the interval. Admirably, the Brinny side never gave up and improved in the second half, netting twice.

Five points separated the top five ranked Championship clubs on Sunday morning. Fourth-placed Bunratty were one point and a place ahead of Castlelack at kick-off. So, a victory was important for both teams in an effort to keep pace with league leaders Beara United.

It was the visitors who made all the early running and created three chances inside the first ten minutes.

An early Bunratty breakaway saw Milan Vearncombe arrow a first-time shot over the crossbar following good Conor Brosnan approach work.

Next, Killian O’Brien released Sean Evans and his low centre resulted in Brosnan missing the target. The latter crossed for Vearncombe to angle another opportunity wide before United were rewarded for their dominant start.

Killian O’Brien was afforded too much space and picked out Milan Vearncombe at the far post. The Bunratty striker found the net from close range after 14 minutes.

That opening goal was no more than the Schull club warranted. United would have moved 2-0 ahead had Eoin O’Brien’s low drive not flown inches past a post shortly after.

Devoid of possession, Castlelack’s offside trap along with Brendan Harrington and Jamie Hunt’s defending kept the score unchanged until the 24th minute.

A flowing Bunratty move ended with Sean Evans tapping in from close range.

Things got even worse for an overworked Castlelack defence when Bunratty moved 3-0 ahead on the half hour. Conor Brosnan’s second assist enabled Milan Vearncombe to score for a second time.

Three down, Oisin O’Mahony and Dara Hurley worked tirelessly to get the home team back in the game. Yet, an inability to retain possession or trouble visiting goalkeeper Shane Bowens meant Castlelack were second best for the entire opening 45 minutes.

Rory Curtin was called upon to make some difficult saves before Bunratty struck for a fourth and decisive time. Conor Brosnan rounded off a one-sided first half by guiding a left-footed effort home.

Castlelack emptied their substitutes bench during the break and early stages of the second period.

Those changes had the desired effect as the hosts pressed high and reduced Bunratty’s scoring opportunities. Eoin O’Brien did have one sight of goal but Rory Curtin pulled off a terrific save.

The visitors remained patient and scored for a fifth time when Conor Brosnan netted after 63 minutes.

Heavy downpours didn’t help either side’s cause until the 71st minute when Eoin O’Brien walloped in Bunratty’s sixth goal.

Castlelack continued to push forward and scored the goal of the game. The ball dropped to substitute Liam Ryan who chipped a stranded Shane Bowens from 30 yards after 77 minutes.

Encouraged by that consolation effort, a revitalised Castlelack’s Ryan forced Bunratty into an own goal six minutes from the end.

This was Bunratty United’s day however, despite spurning a couple of late opportunities, the Schull club wrapped up the Christmas points when Conor Brosnan completed his third hat-trick in three games.

Castlelack: Rory Curtin, Joe O’Halloran, Brendan Harrington (captain), Dara Hurley, Oisin O’Mahony, Jamie Hunt, Evan O’Shea, Aaron Elliot, Mark Keohane, Cian Kelleher, Aidan Cregan.

Subs: Christian Mulcahy, Matthew Craig, Joe Hayes, Liam Ryan, Eoin Lane, Billy Curtin.

Bunratty United: Shane Bowens, Sean Evans, Stephen O’Driscoll, Luke Nolan, Mark Brosnan (captain), Conor Brosnan, Killian O’Brien, Keith O’Driscoll, Milan Vearncombe, Eoin O’Brien, Gavin Johnston.

Subs: Killian O’Sullivan, Lorcan O’Brien, Micah Simpson, Sasha Sahovs.

Referee: Tadhg Sheehan.