Bandon beat Donoughmore to reach minor final thanks to two David Whelton goals
Bandon's Jack Cullinane celebrates the opening goal by David Whelton against Donoughmore. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
BANDON are through to the Rebel Óg Premier 2 MFC final against Éire Óg after their win over Donoughmore at the Mardyke on Friday night.
In a game that was tight for long periods, it was Bandon’s second goal, nine minutes into the second half that proved to be the crucial score in the end.
And fittingly it was David Whelton who raised the green flag, to add to the one he got in the first half. Whelton was one of a number of players who were outstanding for the winners, with Kevin Hannon, Michael O’Donovan and Jack Cullinane also impressive.
Donoughmore can’t be faulted for their efforts and they played their part in an entertaining game with Scott Barrett, Daniel Honohan, DJ Foley, and David McDonnell impressing.
Bandon got off to the perfect start when they raised a green flag in the first minute. Picking up the ball from the throw-in Cullinane burst forward and he played Whelton in to give Charlie O’Donovan no chance of saving.
Donoughmore pulled a point back through Barrett and Rory McLaughlin made it a one-point game when he raised their second white flag.
Kevin Hannon got Bandon’s first point and he added a second as they led 1-2 to 0-2 after 10 minutes.
Hannon could have had a second goal for his side, but his effort came back off the crossbar. Redmond Riordan pulled a point back for Donoughmore, with Ronan Ahern restoring Bandon’s three-point lead after 18 minutes.
But this was their last score of the half as Donoughmore dominated the scoreboard until half-time.
Barret put two between the sides, with Riordan making it a one-point game after 22 minutes. A free from Barrett had the sides level as half-time approached.
Just before the break, Donoughmore took the lead for the first time when Rory Honohan raised a white flag, to make it 0-7 to 1-3 at half-time.
O’Donovan had the sides back on level terms at the start of the second half, before Barrett put his side back in front.
Points from Cullinane and Hannon made it 1-6 to 0-8 in Bandon’s favour with 38 minutes gone. A minute later a sweeping move saw Whelton raise another green flag to put four between the sides, 2-6 to 0-8.
Two points from Barrett reduced the deficit and with 10 minutes to go it was 2-7 to 0-10. A shot from Ronan Ahern came back off the post and Whelton had a chance for another goal but this time his effort went over the bar.
Credit to Donoughmore they kept going with Barrett hitting two more to put two between the sides. But Hannon got the last score of the game to seal the win for Bandon.
They will now play Éire Óg in the final on Monday, September 17, at 6.30pm at Páirc Ui Rinn, before the Premier 1 final between Douglas and St Finbarr’s.
D Whelton 2-2, K Hannon 0-4 (0-1 f), J Cullinane (f), R Ahern, C O’Flynn, M O’Donovan 0-1 each.
S Barrett 0-8 (0-3 f), R Riordan 0-2, R McLaughlin, R Honohan, P Murphy 0-1 each.
A O’Regan; R Tarrant, J O’Driscoll, J Minihane; C O’Mahony, C Crowley, G Murphy; J Cullinane, M O’Donovan; A Kelly, K Hannon, E Claesson; R Ahern, D Whelton, A Barry.
C O’Flynn for E Claesson (ht), E O’Callaghan for A Barry (43), F Cali for J Minihane (46), J Heverin for A Kelly (57), D Coughlan for R Ahern (60).
C O’Donovan; S Fehily, D Kearney, T Murphy; L Glasheen, DJ Foley, L O’Sullivan; S O’Hanlon, D McDonnell; R Honohan, J McCarthy, R McLaughlin; D Honohan, R Riordan, S Barrett.
J Fehily for S O’Hanlon (11 inj), P Murphy for R McLaughlin (37 inj), J Murphy for S Fehily (53).
James Regan, Lough Rovers.
App?
