Bantry Blues 0-05 Nemo Rangers 2-13

In the end, it was something of a canter for Nemo Rangers as they claimed a 12th Cork County U21AFC title against Bantry Blues at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.

While they trailed 0-2 to 0-1 after 11 minutes, once Luke Connolly’s goal put them 1-2 to 0-2 ahead on 16 they began to dominate and, bar a brief suggestion of a Bantry revival at the start of the second half, the outcome was never in doubt.
Central to the victory was the excellent display of captain David Nation, included as a late change despite suffering from a cruciate injury. His aerial ability was key, especially in turning the momentum in the middle period of the first half, and manager Larry Kavanagh admitted it had been a gamble to play him.

"We targeted their midfield," he said.

"We took a risk with Nation, we didn’t know if he’d last five minutes. We brought Conor O’Donovan out as well to leave space inside and that made a difference."

Connolly took full advantage of that space, and the creativity of centre-forward Alan Cronin was also evident, the pair finishing with 2-5 between them, while Cronin’s brother Stephen excelled at centre-back.

Nemo had nine scorers in all, contrasting sharply with the fact that Bantry pair Joe Murphy and Ruairí Deane were the only two to register for their side. Far too often, the delivery to the Bantry attack was not up to par, with Deane’s strong running often their only means of advancing the ball up the field.

Their starting configuration did not look as balanced as Nemo’s, with the relocation of Nation from his starting spot of full-forward to midfield resulting in Bantry’s Donagh O’Sullivan – who returned from his summer trip the US for the game – being drawn away from his optimum position in the full-back line, something that was not rectified until midway through the first half.

And yet, with Mark Delaney beginning brightly in midfield, Bantry got off to a good start, two Murphy frees giving them that lead. After Alan O’Donovan equalised for Nemo, Connolly gave notice of his prowess, however, with a shot which fizzed across the fact of goal.

By this stage, Nation had come to the fore, winning four kickouts in a row and after the last of these the ball was worked to Connolly via Conor O’Donovan, with a lovely finish giving Donal Casey no chance.

Further points from Connolly and Nation resulted in a five-point lead by the half-time break, Darragh Kerins extending the advantage before Deane gave Bantry some hope with two in quick succession.

That was as good as it would get for them, as by the time Murphy would get their next score with another free in the 52nd minute, Nemo had put the game firmly beyond them.

The impressive Conor Horgan (two), Connolly and Conor O’Donovan all got scores as a nine-point lead was opened up and then Connolly showed great skill before opening up the defence with a perfect pass for Alan Cronin, who fired home to make it 2-10 to 0-4 in the 49th minute.

Though Murphy did interrupt the one-way flow, an outstanding Connolly free from the right sideline, Jack Horgan and sub James Garvan ensured Nemo had 14 points to spare at the end.

Scorers for Nemo Rangers: L Connolly 1-4 (0-3fs), A Cronin 1-1, C Horgan 0-2, D Nation, D Kerins, J Horgan, A O’Donovan, C O’Donovan, J Garvan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Bantry Blues: J Murphy 0-3fs, R Deane 0-2.

NEMO RANGERS: MA Martin; D O’Donovan, C McWhinney, D Barrett; D Kerins, S Cronin, K Fulignati; J Horgan, A O’Donovan; C Dalton, A Cronin, C O’Donovan; L Connolly, D Nation, C Horgan.

Subs: D Buckley for Dalton (54), G Irwin for Nation (57), T Forde for C O’Donovan, J Garvan for Kerins (both 59), S Creedon for Connolly (60).

BANTRY BLUES: D Casey; C Power, D O’Sullivan, C O’Leary; D Daly, T Downey, T O’Brien; M Delaney, A Keane; G O’Shea, R Deane, C O’Sullivan; J Murphy, K Casey, D Power.

Subs: D Casey for Keane (ht), S Delaney for O’Sullivan (41), G Hurley for O’Shea (51), H Deane for K Casey (55).

Referee: M Moynihan (Grenagh).

County Final

Under 21 County Final Saturday night at 07-30 PM vs Nemo Rangers at Pairc Ui Rinn. Please Support

Bantry Blues 1-12 Beara 0-14

Deane and desire see Blues home

Bantry 1-12 Beara 0-14
By Derry Farr

Monday, July 16, 2012

Pride and a fanatical will to win were abundant ingredients in Bantry’s win over Beara in Saturday’s semi-final thriller in Kealkil.

In a titanic struggle, a sixth-minute Bantry goal ultimately decided the contest when Ruarai Deane was put through by Colm O’Sullivan and the Cork U21 player gave capable Beara keeper Alan Dunne no chance.

It was a score Bantry were quick to build on and with Cathal Power, Tadhg Downey and David Daly keeping things quiet at the back, the Blues, with Kevin Casey drawing the fouls, had eased six points clear before the divisional side got out of blocks.

They began with a superbly taken point from midfielder Brian Terry O’Sullivan, who had a mighty game in a midfield sector where there was little soft on offer. Deane was also prominent around this department from where Mark Delaney made his usual quota of strong runs.

Up with the best was Finbarr Dwyer and, for a spell, Beara dominated and when on top were denied a goal by Bantry keeper Donal Casey, who enhanced his reputation by saving from Connie O’Shea.

Then David Harrington looked to have forced home the rebound only for Cathal Power to save the Blues.

The winners led 1-6 to 0-5 at the break but with Harrington and Dean Murphy prominent up front Beara were on terms with 10 minutes still to play.

There was torture and delight in equal measures in a titanic close where the accurate Joe Murphy and Deane slipped over Bantry scores to which Beara could only reply with a lone Harrington point.

Scorers for Bantry; R Deane 1-3 (0-3f), J Murphy 0-5 (4f), G O’Shea, M Delaney, C O’Sullivan, D Power (1 45) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Beara; D Murphy 0-5 (3f), D Harrington 0-4, J Walsh 0-2 (1f), B Terry O’Sullivan, T Joe O’Sullivan, C O’Shea 0-1 each.

BANTRY; D Casey; C O’Leary, D Daly, S Edgeworth; C Power, C O’Sullivan, T O’Brien; M Delaney, R Deane; K Casey, A Keane, G O’Shea; J Murphy, T Downey, D Power.

Subs: S Delaney for A Keane, H Deane for T O’Brien, G Hurley for S Edgeworth (inj).

BEARA; A Dunne (Urhan); D Cronin (Garnish), S O’Shea (Adrigole), E Murphy (Garnish); L Harrington (Adrigole), F Sheehan (Garnish), C O’Shea (Adrigole); B Terry O’Sullivan (Garnish), F O’Dwyer (Urhan); H O’Sullivan (Garnish), S Terry O’Sullivan (Garnish), T J O’Sullivan (Adrigole); J Walsh (C’t’bere), D Murphy (do), D Harrington (Adrigole). Subs: C O’Neill (Adrigole) for S O’Shea; C McCallenny (Glengarriffe) for H O’Sullivan.

Referee: M Moynihan (Grenagh).

Bantry Blues 4-14 Millstreet 1-06

With Rory Deane and Mark Delaney involved from the outset the west cork champions were boosted by a David Power goal, in the 10th minute from a penalty and, though keeper Donal Casey was called on twice to make a name for himself, it was the men in blue who produced the goods when afforded the scoring chances.
With Timmy O'Brien adding a brace of points from half back, in a defence where David Daly was outstanding. Kevin Casey added a second goal 12 minutes before half time. The contest was effectively over at half time with Bantry going in 2-12 to 0-5 to the good.
Any faint Millstreet hopes of a revival were ended when Colm O'sullivan slipped home Bantry's third goal early in the second half, while a fine individual effort from Mark Delaney secured number four.
Millstreet pulled a goal back late in the game but by then the blues had a weekend semi-final meeting with Beara to look forward towards.
Scorers for Bantry:
D Power 1-2, R Deane 0-5, CO'Sullivan, M Delaney1-1 each, K Casey 1-0, T O' Brien, J Murphy 0-2 each, T Downey 0-1
Bantry: D Casey, C Power, C O' Leary, S Edgeworth, D Daly, T Downey, T O' Brien, M Delaney, A Keane, K Casey, R Deane, G Hurley, J Murphy, C O' Sullivan, D Power.
Subs: G O' Shea for G Hurley, S Delaney for C O' Sullivan, D Lynch for C Power, P O'Brien for S Edgeworth, B Crowley for J Murphy.