Two hat-tricks as Duarigle Gaels beat Kanturk Dromtariffe in 10-goal U21 thriller 

Duarigle Gaels 6-9 Kanturk-Dromtariffe 4-12 

Duarigle Gaels edged out Kanturk-Dromtariffe in a thrilling Duhallow U21 A FC semi-final before a large attendance at Banteer.

Despite the lateness of the season, the clash proved a humdinger of a battle, some outstanding individual performances on offer, a 3-4 tally from the Gaels' Hugh Linehan bettered by Kanturk-Dromtariffe’s Grantas Bucinskas with a whopping 3-7.

Though the sides were deadlocked on seven occasions, the Gaels availed of key contributions from their bench and enjoyed the benefits of a more balanced team effort to generate better efficiency in terms of scoring from a game that yielded 10 goals.

The tone of the contest was established right from the off, Linehan offered a turn of speed to net for Duarigle. An effective response saw Colin Walsh provide the perfect pass for Bucinskas to oblige.

Back came the Gaels, Lenihan forced a good save from keeper Ronan Cashman only for the alert Conor Lehane convert the rebound.

Kanturk-Dromtariffe without injured Cork player Tommy Walsh weren’t found wanting and a spell of pressure yielded five consecutive points to enjoy a narrow 1-6 to 2-2 advantage. All through, Duarigle offered a facility to respond, Lehane the provider for Lenihan to goal.

No surprise, a reply from their rivals, a delivery from Eoin O’Keeffe allowed Stephen Sheahan to flick home.

However, Duarigle answered, Linehan and Alan O’Leary pointing for a narrow 3-5 to 2-7 grip at the interval.

On the changeover, Kanturk-Dromtariffe gained a promising restart with a fine goal from Bucinskas only for O’Leary to deliver a duplicate score at the opposite end. The Gaels' dander was really up, Lenihan showed precision finishing to slot home from close range before substitutes combined, Eanna O’Mahony setting up Stephen Lyons to goal.

As Duarigle shaped up likely winners, time remained for Kanturk-Dromtariffe to pull the game out of the fire after Bucinskas netted but their brave efforts failed.

Victory sets up Duarigle Gaels a place in the decider and a meeting against Croke Rovers on Monday, December 30.

Scorers for Duarigle Gaels: H Linehan 3-4 (0-2 f), A O’Leary 1-3 (0-1 sl), C Lehane, S Lyons 1-0 each, D O’Leary 0-2.

Kanturk-Dromtariffe: G Bucinskas 3-7 (0-3 f, 0-1 m), S Sheahan 1-1, C Walsh 0-2, E O’Keeffe, B Healy 0-1 each.

DUARIGLE GAELS: M McCarthy; C Casey, C McCaul, T Cronin; R O’Sullivan, S Murphy, E Ring; M Thornton, A Twomey; S O’Riordan, A O’Leary, D O’Leary; C Morley, C Lehane, H Lenihan. 

Subs: E O’Mahony for M Thornton, D Morley for C Casey, S Lyons for C Morley, L Hickey for S O’Riordan, A Kelleher for D O’Leary.

KANTURK-DROMTARIFFE: R Cashman; N Forde, D O’Connor, R O’Keeffe; D Murphy, J Kelleher, C Byrnes; F McKee, B Healy; A Healy, C Walsh, C Carroll; S Sheahan, G Bucinskas, E O’Keeffe. 

Sub: D Bradley for C Carroll.

Referee: S O’Rourke (Ballydesmond).