Bantry Blues 2-13

Bandon 2-10

JOHN MURPHY REPORTS

BANTRY Blues timed their surge to perfection as they captured the RCM Tarmacadam Junior B Hurling Championship title at Castletownkenneigh on Saturday.

Having trailed Bandon’s second string until the 51st minute, the Blues produced a moment of hurling magic that propelled them to glory.

Corner forward Tom O’Donnell made a great surging run into Bandon territory. Spotting Jack McCarthy in space, he sprayed a delightful ball in his direction. Wriggling free of the Bandon defence, McCarthy blasted the ball to the Lilywhites’ net.

It had a twofold effect – Bandon retreated deeper into their defensive shell while the Blues, sensing victory, seized all the momentum. They now led for the first time, 2-9 to 2-8. Points from Jack Sheedy and outstanding goalkeeper Alan O’Sullivan (free) increased the lead to 2-11 to 2-8 with five minutes left.

Bandon's Jack Calnan is challenged by Bantry Blues' Jack McCarthy during the RCM Tarmacadam JBHC final at Castletownkenneigh on Saturday. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

But this was far from a done deal. A Seán Ahern free and a superb strike by substitute Darragh Collins for Bandon left the bare minimum separating the sides.

However, the Blues finished on a high. The skilful Seán O’Leary bisected the uprights twice in as many minutes to seal a famous win – the Blues last sipping from the cup that cheers in 2023.

The game had got off to an explosive start when Bandon goaled inside the opening minute, a Timmy McCarthy free eluding backs and forwards to nestle in the Bantry rigging.

Tom O’Donnell pointed a free, but a lovely Bandon move involving Mattie McNamara, Seán Ahern and midfielder Jack Calnan saw the latter split the posts.

Ronan Ahern and the influential Dara Sheedy swapped points as the frenetic action continued. Denis O’Mahony, who impressed for Bandon before departing with injury, was unerring with a brace of frees.

Carbery GAA Chairman David Whyte presents the Clash Awards man-of-the-match trophy to Bantry Blues goalkeeper Alan O'Sullivan. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Then came the break Bantry needed as Conor Cronin and Arthur Coakley combined delightfully, and the latter billowed the Bandon net. But all the good work came undone two minutes later when a solo dash by Kevin Hannon was rewarded with a superb goal.

After Alan O’Sullivan pointed a 65 – the first of an impressive free-taking crusade – the bare minimum separated the sides at the interval, 2-5 to 1-7, Bandon just in front.

O’Sullivan pointed a mammoth free, as Timmy McCarthy gave the best possible reply after a fantastic Bandon sally. Both sides rang the changes as McCarthy again obliged. It was 2-7 to 1-8 at the close of the third quarter.

The Bantry Blues team celebrates after defeating Bandon in the RCM Tarmacadam JBHC final. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Tom O’Donnell (free) found the range, only for Seán Ahern to leave it a two-point margin, 2-8 to 1-9. This was still in the melting pot.

But even before the game-changing goal, the pressure exerted by the Sheedys, Jack and Dara, along with Arthur Coakley, Jack McCarthy, Tom O’Donnell and Seán O’Leary, had Bandon back-pedalling in defence. Goals win games – and that all-important second Bantry goal by Jack McCarthy changed everything. Bantry now go forward to the county series.

Amidst great celebrations, JJ McCarthy of RCM Tarmacadam and David Whyte, chairman of the Carbery Board, presented the cup to an overjoyed Bantry Blues captain, Dara McCarthy.

OUR STAR: A heroic figure in defence and a supreme dead-ball operator, Bantry Blues shot-stopper Alan O’Sullivan was a pivotal figure. His mammoth frees were of paramount importance – a worthy man of the match.

Scorers

Bantry Blues: Alan O’Sullivan 0-5 (3f, 2 65s); Jack McCarthy, Arthur Coakley 1-0 each; Seán O’Leary 0-3; Jack Sheedy, Tom O’Donnell (f) 0-2 each; Dara Sheedy 0-1.

Bandon: Tim McCarthy 1-2 (1-0f); Seán Ahern 0-3 (2f); Kevin Hannon 1-0; Denis O’Mahony 0-2 (f); Darragh Collins, Ronan Ahern, Jack Calnan 0-1 each.

Bantry Blues: Alan O’Sullivan; Owen Minihane, Connie O’Leary, Christopher Cronin; Conor Cronin, Dara McCarthy, John Crowley; Ronan O’Mahony, Dara Sheedy; Jack Sheedy, Arthur Coakley, Jack McCarthy; Paddy Cronin, Seán O’Leary, Tom O’Donnell.

Subs: Kevin Coakley for John Crowley (36), Billy Sheehan for Paddy Cronin (56).

Bandon: Shane Hickey; Mattie McNamara, Brendan Twohig, Cillian O’Mahony; Tony Quinn, Ciarán Twomey, Timmy McCarthy; Gearóid Murphy, Jack Calnan; Kevin Hannon, Denis O’Mahony, Seán Ahern; Jake Lillis, Donnacha McCarthy, Ronan Ahern.

Subs: Adam Barry for Denis O’Mahony (inj ,28), Darragh Collins for Donnacha McCarthy (30), Dylan Barr for Tony Quinn (ht); Richard Tarrant for Jake Lillis (44).

Referee: Mick O’Leary (Diarmuid Ó Mathúna).