OConnor cant prevent Colums loss to Bandon in South West JAFC round one

St Colum’s Alan O'Connor comes in to challenge Bandon's James Walsh during the Rowa/Rowex Pharma JAFC round one game at Castletownkenneigh on Saturday evening.

BY KIERAN McCARTHY

ALAN O’Connor’s first club game since the announcement of his return to inter-county football with Cork ended in defeat on Saturday night.

The St Colum’s clubman started well in his club’s South West junior A football championship loss, 1-10 to 1-9, to Bandon in Castletown-Kinneigh, but faded in the second half, as the Lilywhites took the win and the bragging rights thanks to Mark Sugrue’s 58th minute winning free.

Midfielder O’Connor, who retired from the inter-county scene in late 2013, is expected to link up with the Cork senior football panel next week.

In this round one heavyweight clash, Denis McSweeney goaled early for Colum’s who led 1-3 to 0-3 after 15 minutes, before Bandon replied with a fine solo goal from Darren Crowley in the 18th minute. Bandon led 1-6 to 1-5 at the break.

A good, old fashioned championship clash was level with three minutes left before Mark Sugrue struck the winning point. Colum’s now face the loser of Gabriel Rangers v Bal in round two.

Elsewhere, Kilmacabea were too strong for an understrength Argideen Rangers in the only other round one JAFC game played in Carbery this weekend, winning 0-16 to 0-4. Ger O'Donovan scored 0-7 for the winners who led 0-8 to 0-3 at the break. Argideen await the loser of Carbery Rangers v Clann na nGael in round two.

Don’t miss next week’s Southern Star for full reports from the weekend’s two JAFC matches.