KILBRITTAIN 1-11

ARGIDEEN RANGERS 2-5

JOHN MURPHY REPORTS

BEWARE – the football giantkillers are coming your way! In recent times Kilbrittain footballers have developed a happy knack of winning crucial local derbies and earning bragging rights.

Recently, they edged out a fancied Barryroe by the narrowest of margins in a round three clash, 3-10 to 0-18, while at blissful Ballinascarthy last Sunday, they put Argideen Rangers to the sword by a three-point margin, 1-11 to 2-5, to qualify for the semi-final of the Bandon Co-op Junior A Football Championship.

While some will consider this a major surprise, the Seasiders have confidence in their own ability and the vibes emanating from their camp have been positive. They needed all their resources in this local derby clash that went down to the last kick and, akin to the Dana classic, contained all kinds of everything: three cracking goals, a penalty, some fabulous long-range points, poor wides on both sides, goalmouth scrambles, turnovers, and an exemplary standard of sportsmanship displayed by both teams.

Both sides were cagey and ultra-defensive in a low-scoring first half that ended 0-4 to 0-3, Kilbrittain in front by the narrowest of margins.

Adam Griffin soloed inside the Argideen cover to open the scoring but, shortly afterwards, Bill Fleming and Jack Lawton, who enjoyed good early possession around the middle third, linked up with John Michael O’Callaghan, who made no mistake to level matters.

Conor Hogan (two, one free) and John Michael O’Callaghan shared the next three points, while Bill Fleming, after fine play by Gerry Crowley and Matthew Lawton, made it 0-3 apiece. A Conor Hogan free had Kilbrittain ahead at the interval following a half in which scores were hard earned.

Few would have been prepared for the explosive start to the second half, Argideen goaling inside a minute. After a delightful move, with John Michael O’Callaghan and Charlie Twomey heavily involved, Dara Walsh rose spectacularly to tip the ball to the net over advancing Kilbrittain ‘keeper Eoin McCarthy. Once the shockwaves subsided, the Seasiders gave the best possible reply in the form of a fabulous Ronan Crowley white flag.

A couple of minutes later a Kilbrittain penalty, awarded after Mark Hickey was fouled, was deftly side-footed past Luke McCarthy by Hogan. The latter added a free as the introduction of Darragh Holland brought about a vast improvement in Rangers' fortunes.

Ronan Crowley and Holland shared the next two scores, while Mark Hickey and Josh O’Donovan appeared to put Kilbrittain in a relatively safe position, 1-9 to 1-4, as the match came into the home straight. Far from it, however, as a magnificent Darragh Holland goal threw the cat amongst the pigeons.

Hogan brought brief respite with a free but Darragh Holland found the range again. All hands to the pump now, but Kilbrittain centre-forward Aaron Holland brought the curtain down on an enthralling tie with a neat point.

Amidst the back-slapping, Kilbrittain manager Cian O’Leary was coolness personified as he mulled over another famous victory. 'The first half did not go too well. Then their goal just after the interval was a major setback,' he observed. 'But we battled hard, won the dirty ball and second phase possession. 

We then had that penalty, expertly put away by Conor Hogan. It was a major boost, but their second goal really put it up to us. Fair play to our lads, they had to dig deep – and they did in those hectic last minutes.'

Our Star: Ronan Crowley was both orchestrator and executioner of some fine Kilbrittain scores, leading by example and making a valuable contribution to his team’s victory.

Scorers

Kilbrittain: Conor Hogan 1-5 (1-0 pen, 4f); Ronan Crowley 0-2, Aaron Holland, Mark Hickey, Adam Griffin, Josh O’Donovan 0-1 each.

Argideen Rangers: Darragh Holland 1-2, Dara Walsh 1-0, JM O’Callaghan 0-2, Bill Fleming 0-1.

Kilbrittain: Eoin McCarthy; Charlie Kenny, Darragh Considine, Eoin O’Neill; Gavin O’Shea, Thomas Sheehan, Philip Wall; Colm Sheehan, Seán Sexton; Adam Griffin, Aaron Holland, Ronan Crowley; Josh O’Donovan, Mark Hickey, Conor Hogan.

Subs: Bertie Butler for C Sheehan (43), Gavin Kenny for A Griffin (54), Conor Lynch for M Hickey (56).

Argideen Rangers: Luke McCarthy; Darragh O’Donovan, John Sheehan, Joe Crowley; Matthew Lawton, Gerry Crowley, Finbarr Butler; Jack Lawton, Bill Fleming; Eoin Lawton, Fergal Walsh, Seán Maxwell; Charlie Twomey, Dara Walsh, John Michael O’Callaghan.

Subs: Darragh Holland for S Maxwell (38), James Crowley for D Walsh (46), Seán Walsh for F Walsh (48).

Referee: Kevin Crowley.