Hurley brothers fire Castlehaven to a win over great rivals Carbery Rangers

Castlehaven 0-14 Carbery Rangers 0-9 

CASTLEHAVEN put a stop to Carbery Rangers' gallop of recent victories between the sides with an opening day triumph in the Bob Secours county senior football championship at a blustery Clonakilty on Sunday.

The Hurleys, Michael and Brian, combined for 10 of their side's tally as the Haven laid the foundations in the first half and restricted their opponents to just a couple of points in the second period.

Yet, their success came against a backdrop of Ross starting without key forwards, John O'Rourke and John Hayes, as well as missing Paul Shanahan in goal.

Hayes came on for the last quarter and scored a point with his only touch, but it was the Haven's day as Ross struggled on the resumption.

The sides were level four times in the first-half, when the Haven started line a runaway train only for Ross to eventually settle and be tied at 0-7 apiece at the break.

Despite playing into the wind, the Haven bagged four points in-a-row inside the opening nine minutes with Michael Hurley setting the tone after only 18 seconds and adding two more for good measure.

Ross's attacks, though, were menacing. Brian Hodnett was in two minds whether to take a handy point or try for a goal only to hit the ball into the grateful arms of keeper Anthony Seymour.

Darragh Hayes eventually opened their account after 12 minutes and it was their turn to fire a quartet of unanswered points.

Mark Hodnett grew into the game, forcing Seymour to deflect a shot over the bar for the second point before landing a free.

Alan Jennings wasted a glorious chance in the closing act before the first water break, dragging a shot wide of the post from a promising position.

Hodnett restored parity with an 18th minute free, 0-4 apiece, as the keen rivals exchanged scores with referee David Murnane busy in dishing out yellow cards, three to the Haven and a pair to Ross.

Seamus Hayes edged his side in front for the first time only for Brian Hurley to tie it up again in injury-time.

Despite registering nine second-half wides, the Haven still carried too much firepower up front with Cathal Maguire and Mark Collins also finding the range, supplementing the Hurleys.

Scorers for Castlehaven: M Hurley 0-6, B Hurley 0-4 (0-1 45), M Collins 0-2 f, C Cahalane and C Maguire 0-1 each 

Carbery Rangers: S Hayes 0-4 (0-2 f), M Hodnett 0-3 (0-2 f), D Hayes and J Hayes 0-1 each. 

CASTLEHAVEN: A Seymour; J O'Regan, R Walsh, R Whelton; R Maguire, D Cahalane, D McCarthy; D Whelton, M Collins, captain; C O'Driscoll, C Cahalane, C Maguire; S Nolan, B Hurley, M Hurley. 

Subs: J Cahalane for Nolan 40, C Hayes for O'Driscoll 56.

CARBERY RANGERS: R Milner; Jerry O'Riordan, K Scannell, R Hegarty; T O'Rourke, P Hodnett, joint-captain, James O'Riordan; M Hodnett, B Hodnett; A Jennings, B Shanahan, J Fitzpatrick; D Hayes, C O'Donovan, S Hayes. 

Subs: P Hurley for P Hodnett 40, J Hayes for Scannell 45.

Referee: D Murnane (Macroom).