Draw with Bantry not enough to save Macroom from PIFC relegation playoff

Bantry Blues 1-10 Macroom 0-13 

DESPITE a courageous performance in the scenic surroundings of Ballingeary on Saturday evening, a draw was not enough to prevent Macroom from facing a relegation playoff.

The Mid Cork club will now play against Na Piarsaigh to battle it out for Cork PIFC survival in the coming weeks.

This result also means Bantry Blues, who were without Cork star Ruairí Deane for this clash, will face a quarter-final meeting with Nemo Rangers, for the right to face Castletownbere in the semi.

With the incentive of survival, Macroom came out full of intent. Alan Quinn opened the scoring with a composed score, with Cork 2010 All Ireland SFC winner Fintan Goold contributing to the scoring total with frees.

Authur Coakley got a fine Bantry point from a fight angle, with his side also scoring early on courtesy of a Seanie O’Leary score.

Macroom ended the opening half 0-5 to 0-3 ahead, with further scores coming through David Horgan and another Goold effort.

Things could have been even better, as an Alan Quinn goal chance for Macroom came back off the post. They also had goal further goal opportunities, including through a Dylan Twomey effort which was saved.

On 42 minutes Bantry struck to the back of the net and go into the lead, as Paddy Cronin blasted home well, who had a key influence on his side's attack during the contest overall.

That looked like it could set Bantry on their way. But Macroom went all out in the latter stages and left everything on the field to try and ensure survival.

Macroom points from Tony Dineen, Goold and Horgan saw the deficit down to one at 1-10 to 0-12 into second-half stoppage time.

Another Horgan effort levelled proceedings up, but neither side could find a late winner and the spoils were shared.

Bantry will now prepare for their quarter-final meeting with Nemo. While Macroom must get ready for a winner-take-all clash of a different kind against Na Piarsaigh.

Scorers for Bantry Blues: P Cronin 1-4 (0-2 fr); A Coakley 0-2; M Óg O’Sullivan, S O’Leary, K Casey, C O’Brien 0-1 each.

Macroom: F Goold, D Horgan 0-4 f each; A Quinn 0-2; T Dineen, E O’Leary (f), B O’Gorman 0-1 each.

BANTRY BLUES: M Casey; C O’Brien, B Foley, T Cronin; S Thornton, J O’Neill, E Minehane; S O’Leary, D McCarthy; M Óg O’Sullivan, K Casey, S Keevers; A Coakley, D Daly, P Cronin.

Subs: C Cronin for Thornton (51); O O’Neill for Daly (54).

MACROOM: B O’Connell; J Murphy, R Buckley, D Creedon; M Corrigan, T Dineen, J O’Riordan; F Goold, D Horgan; M Hunt, S Kiely, E O’Gorman; E O’Leary, A Quinn, D Twomey.

Subs: B O’Gorman for E O’Gorman (40); C Dineen for Quinn (52, inj).

Referee: Cathal Egan (Clyda Rovers).