DOOHENYS CAPTAIN, DENIS CRONIN WITH REFEREE DAVID WHYTE
UNDER 21 HURLING
The U 21 hurlers annexed the West Cork ‘B’ championship title, last won in 1995, with a hard-earned win over Ballinascarthy in Enniskeane on Sunday evening last. The first half was a rather tame affair with Dohenys having a clear advantage and Bal struggling to put their game together. Dohenys dominated the early exchanges and led by 5 points to no score after 15 minutes with Patrick and Jerry Mc Carthy getting a brace apiece and Denis Cronin getting the fifth. With the backline, in which Tadgh O’ Leary, Keith Sheehan and Cian Lynch were conspicuous, hurling well Ballinascarthy did not record their first score until the 18th minute. Two further points for Bal and one from Denis Cronin left Dohenys deservedly ahead, 0-6 to 0-3, at the break. Dohenys had the first point of the second half from Alan Sheehan and when Patrick Mc Carthy struck for a great individual goal in the 7th minute they looked to be well in control. Ballinascarthy, however, lifted their game and in an impressive 10 minute spell pucked 1-5 without reply with the goal coming after some sustained pressure. Dohenys, however, regained the initiative with two rather fortunate goals, the first from a long range Jerry mc Carthy free and the second when Conor Hurley capitalised on a bad blunder by the Bal goalie. With bal pressing hard to get back into the game goalie, Colm Lynch, kept Dohenys ahead with a marvellous save from point blank range and it took a spectacular point from Alan Sheehan in lost time to copper-fasten victory on a score of 3-10 to 2-9. After the game the cup was jointly presented to Denis Cronin, captain on the day, and Diarmuid Crowley, captain in previous rounds. Well done to all involved including mentors Dave O’ Leary, Denis Collins, Fachtna Collins and Fachtna Mc Carthy.
UNDER 16 FOOTBALL
The Sam Maguire U16 footballers were in championship action on Friday evening when they played Clonakilty in Ballineen. The game produced an exciting hour’s football which ended level but in extra time a stronger Clonakilty side took the honours. Clonakilty got off to the best of starts scoring 1-2 in the opening minutes. Declan Coughlan had two points for Maguires but with Clon adding a further 3 points they looked well in control. A peach of a goal from Jack O’ Connell and a point from Darren Sweetnam left just two points between the sides, 1-5 to 1-3, at the break. Goals from a Jack O’ Connell penalty and from Declan Coughlan helped Maguires to a three point lead with just minutes remaining but 1-1 from Clonakilty put them in front before a last second point from Matt Sanderson took the game to extra time. Maguires should have won the game in normal time and probably would have if they had a full panel to select from. However, Clonakilty were stronger and fitter po in extra time and they ran out winners on a score of 4-12 to 3-7, a scoreline that did not do justice to a gallant Maguire’s effort.
TEAM: Aidan O’ Sullivan, Brian Dullea, Kevin Cotter, Maurice Murphy, Daniel O’ Driscoll, Jack O’ Connell, David O’ Brien, Matt Sanderson, Darren Sweetnam, Declan Coughlan, Kevin O’ Connell, Gavin Sheehan, Mark Quinn, Rory Doyle, Daniel Mc Sweeney. Subs: Kieran Daly, Darren Mc Givern.
The team mentors were Barry Herlihy, Caitriona Murphy, Charlie Mc Carthy, Kevin O’ Sullivan, Joe Doyle.
FESTIVAL BLITZ
The Sam Maguire Park was a hive of activity last Saturday with the running off of a number of blitz competitions in conjunction with the Sam Maguire Festival. Clonakilty played Sam Maguires in U7, U8 and U9 football, There were six teams in U10 hurling and four teams in U12 football. Despite the inclement weather and difficult ground conditions all games were run off in a very efficient manner and the organizers can feel satisfied with a job well done. Six teams, divided in two groups, took part in U10 hurling. Clonakilty and Maguires qualified for the final which produced a close encounter before the former won by a narrow margin. Kilmichael defeated Barryroe in the plate final. Kilbree and Ahan Gaels were the other participants. In U12 football Maguires defeated Kilmurry and Ilen Rovers defeated Bantry to set up a final between the West Cork ‘A’ and ‘B’ champions. There was little between the sides throughout with Maguires taking the honours but with only a kick of a ball separating the sides. The results of the U7, U8 and U9 games weren’t very clear. Suffice it to say that all the players got a medal and, what was more important, a bag of goodies. Well done to the ladies who catered for the multitudes in trying circumstances and also to Cork footballer, Noel O’ Leary who was on hand all day to make the presentations.
UNDER 12 HURLING
The U12 hurlers travelled to Rossmore on Thursday evening to play kilmeen in the semi-final of the league. With the sides very evenly matched and playing some excellent hurling it was not surprising that the game finished level at 3-4 each. The replay took place in the Sam Maguire Park on Sunday morning and produced another close encounter. The teams were level at halftime, Maguires 3-2, Kilmeen 2-5. The visitors opened a four point lead in the second half and were still 2 points ahead with 5 minutes remaining. However, with Owen Lavers and Johnny Kelly working hard at midfield Maguires fought back to take the honours with a cracking goal from Sean Daly and a pointed free from Owen Lavers, the final score being 4-6 to 3-7. They now take on County champions, Clonakilty, in the final.
TEAM: Ray Jennings, Tom Murphy, Jonathan O’ Sullivan, Mark Buckley, Kevin Dullea, Jamie Carroll, Owen Lavers, Johnny Kelly, Kevin O’ Mahony, Sean Daly, Cathal O’ Donovan, Daragh O’ Donovan, Daragh Mc Carthy, Adrian Cronin. Subs: Tomas White, Owen Murray, Daniel Hayes.
LOTTO
There was no winner of the €1,750 jackpot in the club lotto on Sunday night last when the numbers drawn were 3, 22, 30. Winners of €50 each were Catherine Ahern, 26 Nowen View; Shelley Brickley, 9 St. Mary’s Park; Catherine Aherne, Nowen View.
FIXTURE
The minor footballers are billed to play Bantry in the championship semi-final in Aughaville on Saturday at 5.15 p.m. Maguires had a good win over Bandon in their previous round whereas Bantry had an impressive win over Ahan Gaels so there should be little between the sides.