Switching Michael Cahalane to number six pays off for Bandon against Mallow

Bandon 1-22 Mallow 1-22 

BANDON sealed a place in a quarter-final of the Co-Op Super Stores SAHC thanks to a draw against a brave Mallow in at Coachford.

With Charleville topping the group, Bandon got the draw they needed to set up a clash with Kanturk. Not for the first time in the campaign, Mallow were game and committed yet they lacked the power and guile to land their first win.

Mallow raced out of the starting blocks, a goal within 40 seconds of the throw-in, Niall O’Riordan picked out Seán Hayes to blast home for a dream start. 

A clearly determined Mallow were operating at pace, John Healy, Kevin Sheehan and Darragh Moynihan formed a commanding presence in defence with Paul Lyons and Aaron Sheehan adding points for the Blackwater men hold a 1-4 to 0-1 advantage.

Bandon responded well, tactical moves paid off, none more so than the shifting of Michael Cahalane to centre-back. Indeed Bandon threw down the gauntlet, good work Darren Crowley placed Mark Sugrue for a well-taken goal.

That score provided Bandon with a much-needed boost, Cahalane, Adam Murphy and Sugrue adding points for a 1-10 apiece scoreline at the interval. 

Again Mallow restarted on a promising note only for Bandon to impose themselves through the influence of Cahalane, Donough Lucey, Jason Hickey and Conor Calnan to set up a series of attacks with four consecutive points added.

There was plenty of spirit remaining in Mallow, Moynihan and O’Riordan pointing to level matters. The nip and tuck affair continued, the standard of hurling improving, Ronan Crowley and Lyons pointed massive efforts at either end.

Though Sheehan nudged Mallow ahead, back came Bandon, Crowley pointed on the double including a booming 80mtr free. Mallow refused to yield, Charles Carroll blasted over the crossbar, parity for the 10th occasion yet the outcome sees Mallow bow out of the race.

Scorers for Bandon: R Crowley 0-7 (0-5f), M Sugrue 1-3, M Cahalane 0-5 (0-4 f), A Murphy 0-3, D Crowley (f), C Calnan, J Hickey, D Lucey 0-1 each.

Mallow: A Sheehan 0-12 (0-10 f), P Lyons 0-4, S Hayes 1-1, N O’Riordan 0-2, C Murphy, D Moynihan, C Carroll 0-1 each.

BANDON: P Prendergast; A O’Connell, P Murphy, J O’Donovan; D Lucey, J Hickey, T Twohig; C Dullea, C Calnan; D Crowley, M Cahalane, A Murphy; M Sugrue, R Crowley, C O’Mahony.

Subs: R Long for D Crowley (45), M O’Regan for C O’Mahony (55), P Barry for C Dullea (59).

MALLOW: P Buckley; J O’Hanlon, F O’Neill, J Healy; P Healy, K Sheehan, D Moynihan; P Lyons, N O’Riordan; C Murphy, S Hayes, G Sweeney; P Herlihy, J Hayes; A Sheehan. 

Subs: T Doyle for G Sweeney (h-t), C Carroll for J Hayes (45), P Hennessey for T Doyle (50).

Referee: B Murphy (Carrigtwohill).