DOHENYS 0-5

BANTRY BLUES 2-5

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

BANTRY Blues set up an all-West Cork junior A county final with Dohenys by defeating the Dunmanway club in the final round of Cork Credit Unions Cork LGFA group fixtures.

The scenario was straightforward for Bantry ahead of Sunday’s throw-in in Dunmanway – avoid defeat in their final group outing and the Blues would be assured a place in this year’s county decider.

So it proved, as Sarah Bishop and Rachel Murphy goals were decisive for a Bantry team delighted to reach this year’s county decider.

‘It was a hard match but we always knew that would be the way against Dohenys,’ Bantry captain Eve Murphy said.

‘We haven’t beaten Dohenys in a long time so it took a savage team performance. In fairness to Aidan Coughlan, he’s been in charge of us for three years now. We have such a good team and have been building for the last few years. To get to a county final is unbelievable.’

An understrength Dohenys had already cemented their county final berth before this local derby. Despite a first championship defeat of the season, Claire Hurley, Michelle Love, Michelle Duggan and Melissa Duggan’s efforts suggest a full-strength Dohenys are capable of bridging a six-point gap when the clubs meet again.

Backed by a strong wind, Bantry got off to a positive start. Sarah Bishop’s point attempt from a free sailed in underneath the crossbar to hand the visitors an early advantage.

Abby McCarthy brought a terrific save out of Blues goalkeeper Seadna O’Sullivan in response. McCarthy got her team on the scoreboard shortly after.

A resurgent Dohenys had a goal chalked off for a square infringement prior to Bantry getting to grips with the game. Led by Eve Murphy, Lucy Coakley and Laura Dempsey’s direct running, the former struck an upright before Sarah Bishop scored to make it 1-2 to 0-1 after 15 minutes.

The home team continued to struggle with the elements even though Abby McCarthy reduced the deficit with her second point.

Bantry dominated the remainder of the half however, kicking three unanswered points. Eve Murphy, Rachel Murphy and Zara Barry white flags made it 1-5 to 0-2 at the short whistle.

The second half proved a much tighter affair with scoring opportunities reduced to a minimum. Dohenys’ best chance of getting back into the game occurred after 33 minutes. Cork senior Melissa Duggan was dragged down in the square resulting in the award of a penalty. Ava O’Donovan dragged her spot kick centimetres wide and Bantry breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Things got even worse for the home side when Alison Hayes received a yellow card and temporarily reduced her team to 14 players for a ten-minute period. But despite their numerical disadvantage, Michelle Love kicked Dohenys’ third score to leave five between the teams.

Bantry remained calm in the face of a strengthening wind and grabbed their only score of the second half after 40 minutes – Myra Downey set up Rachel Murphy to billow the Dohenys net and make it 2-5 to 0-3.

Rachel McCarthy and Michelle Love added late scores for a battling Dohenys who could not breach a Bantry defence – that had Jessica Coakley yellow carded late on – for badly needed goals.

So, Bantry got their win but a much closer junior A county final beckons.

Scorers 

Dohenys: Abby McCarthy, Michelle Love 0-2 each; Rachel McCarthy 0-1.

Bantry Blues: Sarah Bishop (1-0f), Rachel Murphy 1-1 each; Laura Dempsey, Eve Murphy, Zara Barry 0-1 each.

Dohenys: Coleen Noonan; Alison Hayes, Claire Hurley, Margaret Collins; Michelle Duggan, Aprille Duggan, Katie Crowley; Melissa Duggan, Mairead Crowley; Heather McCarthy, Ava O’Donovan, Gemma O’Mahony; Abby McCarthy, Michelle Love, Rachel McCarthy.

Subs: Ava O’Donovan for H McCarthy (29, inj), Kelly-Ann Buttimer for A O’Donovan (45), Ava O’Donovan for C Noonan (50), Coleen Noonan for A McCarthy (53).

Bantry Blues: Seadna O’Sullivan; Bernadette O’Flynn, Kate McCarthy, Jessica Coakley; Cliodhna O’Shea, Ann Coakley, Laura O’Sullivan; Lucy Coakley, Laura Dempsey; Sarah Bishop, Eve Murphy (captain), Molly O’Sullivan; Zara Barry, Myra Downey, Rachel Murphy.

Subs: Caitlin O’Mahony for Z Barry (43), Ali O’Sullivan for M O’Sullivan (43), Helen Martin for L Coakley (50), Aoife Kingston for L Dempsey (58).

Referee: Conor McCarthy (Rosscarbery).