SKIBBEREEN CELTIC 6

BAY ROVERS 8

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

THE final score is not a misprint – there were 14 goals scored in an absolutely bonkers West Cork League Championship clash that was an advert for attacking football rather than the art of defending.

Skibbereen Celtic and Bay Rovers certainly produced entertainment when they met under floodlights at the Baltimore Road.

Level 2-2 at the interval, the second half produced ten goals, numerous wasted opportunities and a missed penalty. Defending went out the window, as Celtic and Rovers decided to outscore one another.

In the end, Bay deserved a victory that suggests they should be amongst the promotion front-runners. As for Skibbereen Celtic, they possess the requisite quality to bounce back but must shore up their defence to keep pace with the division’s pace-setters.

At kick-off, an undefeated Skibbereen enjoyed a share of the division’s lead alongside Bunratty United and Beara United. Bay Rovers were eager to build on four points from a possible six accrued during a productive first month.

A kit mishap meant Bay changed into Skibb’s home jerseys while Celtic donned their away shirts.

The Kealkill club tested goalkeeper Odhran Herlihy inside the opening minute. The home team would prove a threat on the counter-attack and broke the deadlock via a breakaway after two minutes.

Cian O’Brien’s cross-field delivery was seized upon by Jack O’Brien on the corner of the penalty box. Holding off a defender, the latter thundered home a dipping first-time volley. O’Brien’s stunning strike kickstarted a quality period.

Celtic had a goal ruled out for offside before Herlihy denied Rovers’ Paddy Cronin. Bay drew level when Ryan O’Boy met Christopher Cronin’s cross with a powerful header after ten minutes.

The visitors, moving the ball superbly, enjoyed a dominant spell and went 2-1 up on the quarter-hour. Callum McElhinney, brother of Irish international runner Darragh, fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

Paddy Cronin and Eoin Bowden kept Bay on the front foot and some of their one-touch approach play was a joy to watch. Firmly in defensive mode, Celtic worked hard to close down their opponents before enjoying a positive spell of their own.

Central defender Dan Andrews helped repel a series of Skibbereen advances. Time and again, an Andrews tackle or interception denied Celtic a sight of goal.

Luke O’Sullivan’s introduction added to Skibbereen’s attacking arsenal and the substitute had an effort cleared off the line after 35 minutes. The opening half flew by and ended with both goalkeepers, Ben Clancy and Odhran Herlihy, producing important stops.

There was still time for a fourth goal as Adam O’Donovan teed up Luke O’Sullivan and the young striker’s low drive sent the teams in level.

No one could have anticipated what was about to transpire in the second half. It began with Fabian Wadolowski’s goal-bound attempt deflected away for a corner two minutes after the restart. Bay took full advantage of the ensuing set-piece – Calvin Cronin’s delivery was headed in by Paddy Cronin to make it 3-2.

Some last-ditch defending stopped Skibbereen Celtic who continued to press, and Adam O’Donovan’s shot flew across the six-yard box.

Bay reacted instantly, springing Skibb’s offside trap for Wadolowski to make it 4-2. Undeterred, Celtic restarted, working the ball to Luke O’Sullivan who promptly scored from 20 yards.

Amazingly, Rovers restored their two-goal advantage within a minute as Paddy Cronin netted his second from the edge of the area. It was 5-3 and still half an hour to go.

The drama didn’t stop as Celtic were awarded a penalty which Luke O’Sullivan walloped over the crossbar.

A second penalty kick awarded to the home side resulted in Adam O’Donovan converting after 74 minutes. Roared on by their home support, Celtic drew level when Gearoid O’Driscoll found the net to make it 5-5.

Bay Rovers refused to buckle however, and Ryan O’Boy’s second goal restored the visitors’ lead with nine minutes remaining.

Skibbereen Celtic were punished for pushing high up the pitch when Fabian Wadolowski twice sprung the home team’s offside trap to complete his hat-trick in the dying embers.

Skibb’s Oscar Egan completed the scoring on the stroke of full time before an unforgettable encounter ended with Bay Rovers winning 8-6.

Skibbereen Celtic: Odhran Herlihy, David Petirikauskas, Ryan Hourihane, Donal Hurley (captain), Gearoid O’Driscoll, Marti Puig Doblado, Jack O’Brien, Eoin O’Donovan, Cian O’Brien, Adam O’Donovan, Oscar Egan.

Subs: Aaron Dempsey, Shane McCarthy, Ruaidhrí O’Donovan, Luke O’Sullivan, Brian O’Driscoll, Ryan O’Sullivan, Conor Hourihane.

Bay Rovers: Ben Clancy, Christopher Cronin, Rudi Gaffney, Fionn O’Donovan, Dan Andrews (captain), Eoin Bowden, Ryan O’Boy, Paddy Cronin, Fabian Wadolowski, Callum McElhinney, Calvin Cronin.

Subs: James Hickey, Alex Cronin, Peter Ozubko.

Referee: Sean Doyle.