Joy for Glanmire as four goals swings minor football clash in Clon

Glanmire 4-7 Ibane Gaels 1-9

GLANMIRE qualified for the Premier 1 minor football final after they eked out a hard-fought win against Ibane Gaels under floodlights at Clonakilty.

Glanmire now move onto to an appetising county final tie against a Douglas team, they have already defeated in championship action earlier this season. 

Glanmire netted two goals in each half which proved crucial factors in propelling them to a deserved victory with a panel that is largely the same as the Sars group beaten in last week's P1 hurling decider.

A very youthful Ibane side made Glanmire work for this triumph, however. They were however too reliant on scores from Cork minor player Ryan O’Donovan. Glanmire enjoyed a bright start. 

James Crowley opened their scoring account in the fifth minute. They netted their opening goal in the 10th minute when Daniel Hogan opportunistically fisted to the net following a Ben Nodwell inviting pass. 

The response from the Argideen Rangers and Barryroe amalgamation was emphatic as they netted in the 12th minute. 

Ryan O’Donovan calmly converted a penalty after Sean Walsh was felled. Cathal McCarthy and Fergal Walsh traded scores for their respective teams which ensured Glanmire held a one-point lead after 16 minutes.

Glanmire struck for their second goal in the 22nd minute when Luke Elliot finished off good play from James Crowley and Ollie Compton. Points from Ryan O’Donovan and James Crowley ensured Glanmire held a three-point lead at the interval, 2-4 to 1-4.

Glanmire got the perfect start to the second half as they netted within the opening minute following a long-range drive from Dave Lynch. Ibane kept battling away and a brace of scores from former Cork minor Ryan O’Donvoan reduced the arrears to four points. 

Ibane received a further boost when Glanmire defender Daragh Murray was dismissed following two yellow cards. 

This seemed to galvanise Glanmire who finished strongly. Naoise Marron sealed victory for Glanmire when he netted their fourth goal late on.

Scorers for Glanmire: J Crowley 0-4, D Hogan, L Elliot, D Lynch, N Marron 1-0 each, C McCarthy 0-2, O Compton 0-1.

Ibane Gaels: R O’Donovan 1-7 (1-0 pen, 0-1 45, 0-6 f), F Walsh 0-2.

GLANMIRE: O Sheppard; E Geary, J Gibson, J O’Sullivan; D Long, O Kelleher, D Murray; D Lynch, J Kingston; B Nodwell, D Hogan, J Crowley; C McCarthy, L Elliot, O Compton.

Subs: N Marron for B Nodwell (44), C Murray for D Hogan (55).

IBANE GAELS: L McCarthy; S O’Riordan, J Moloney, M Walsh; M Ryan, C Dineen, S Henchion; F Walsh, A Guinevan; P Flynn, R O’Donovan, A McSweeney; M Holland, S Walsh, C Walton.

Sub: C O’Sullivan for C Walton (37).

Referee: Cormac Dineen (Douglas).