Castletownbere seal PIFC semi-final place by beating Bandon

Castletownbere 0-15 Bandon 0-11 

CASTLETOWNBERE qualified for the Bon Secours Cork Premier IFC semi-finals following victory over Bandon at Aughaville on Saturday evening.

A second-half Dean Hegarty penalty save proved crucial as Castletownbere won a closely fought encounter by four points.

Gary Murphy’s free-taking ability coupled with a solid defensive effort earned the Beara side a deserved last-four berth.

Both sides had a clear picture of what was required to make the knockout stages before throw-in.

A third Group A success in as many outings would cement Castletownbere’s safe passage while their opponents needed a five-point win to be certain of progressing.

It was 0-2 apiece after the opening 10 minutes with Darren Crowley and Charlie Long (free) scores answered by Castletownbere’s Dean Hegarty (45’) and James Harrington.

A brace of fisted Billy Murphy points edged the Beara men ahead before Mark Sugrue answered courtesy of a cracking effort.

Lee Kelly and the lively James Harrington restored Castletownbere’s three-point advantage prior to Aidan O’Mahony landing Bandon’s fourth score of the half.

A flurry of late points, Gary Murphy and Lee Kelly for Castletownbere plus Charlie Long and Darren Crowley for Bandon, made it 0-8 to 0-6 to the Beara club at the short whistle.

Trevor Collins and Tomás Murphy (free) added to Bandon’s woes before Aidan O’Mahony pulled one back from a free.

Then, in the 38th minute, Darren Crowley was hauled down in the square and Bandon were awarded a penalty.

Dean Hegarty brilliantly saved Aidan O’Mahony’s spot-kick and Castletownbere kicked for home with three late Gary Murphy frees.

Aidan O’Mahony kept the Lilywhites in touch from frees but Castletownbere saw out injury-time to book a county semi-final spot.

Scorers for Castletownbere: G Murphy 0-4 (0-3 f), J Harrington 0-3, B Murphy, Kelly 0-2 each, D Hegarty (45), T Collins, T Murphy (f), F Fenner 0-1 each.

Bandon: A O’Mahony 0-5 (0-4 f), C Long (0-1 f), D Crowley 0-2 each, M Sugrue and M Cahalane 0-1 each.

CASTLETOWNBERE: D Hegarty; L Harrington (c), J Rosales, B Murphy; S McCarthy, T Collins, D Hanley; A O’Sullivan, O Byrne; O Murphy, J Harrington, K O’Sullivan; G Murphy, L Kelly, K O’Sullivan.

Subs: F Fenner for T Murphy (40), D Dunne for O Byrne (40), J Hanley for K O’Sullivan (51), M Orpen for O Murphy (60), J O’Neill for L Kelly (61).

BANDON: O Doyle; P Murphy, E Twomey, E McSweeney; C Calnan, B Crowley, C O’Mahony; T Twohig, A O’Mahony; P Callanan, D Crowley (captain), C Long; J Mulcahy, M Sugrue, J Callanan.

Subs: E Hurley for P Callanan (ht), M Cahalane for M Sugrue (37), R Long for C Long (37), H O’Mahony for J Callanan (47), S Ahern for E Twomey (48, inj), R O’Driscoll for C Calnan (57).

Referee: Alan O’Connor (Ballygarvan).