Castlehaven v St Michael's: Late West Cork rally gets hosts over the line
Castlehaven's Andrew Whelton and St Michaels' Eoin Hickey go high for the ball during the McCarthy Insurance Group FL Division 1 game at Castlehaven on Saturday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
A strong finish gave county champions Castlehaven their first points of the McCarthy Insurance Group FL Division 1 campaign as they overcame St Michael’s at Moneyvollahane on Saturday evening.
While the home side had an 11-point winning margin, they scored an unanswered 1-6 in the final 17 minutes after Adam Hennessy’s third point of the game had brought the visitors back to within a pint, 4-6 to 1-14.
However, goals had been a key scaffold for the Haven challenge all game and, after a fine point by centre-back Jamie Walsh, they moved five clear – the biggest lead of the match for either side – as wing-back Jack O’Neill’s good interception allowed Robbie Minihane to carry the ball deep into Michael’s territory before placing Kevin O’Donovan for smart finish.
From there, the Haven kicked on as midfielder Andrew Whelton got his second and Minihane was also the provider for Seán Browne before Michael Hurley – with 2-2 to his name up to to then – pointed after a nice link-up with Andrew Whelton.
O’Donovan, after a superb catch, got his second point, before Hurley converted the free awarded when Minihane was prevented from a solo-and-go after he was fouled. Andrew Whelton’s strong run and point ended the night on a positive note as the hosts got off the mark following their opening defeat by Douglas. Though they did have the extra gear in the closing stages, victory was not always assured as St Michael’s battled well for much of the encounter.
The Haven had the boost of a fortunate early goal as Browne’s point attempt in the opening minute looked to be dropping short but crept into the net – however, despite the setback, Michael’s soon found a rhythm, with wing-backs Rory Kavanagh and Eric Hegarty to the fore while Luke Herlihy had his range from dead balls and also tested Darragh Cahalane with a goal effort.
A nice Adam Hennessy point on 11 had the away team just a point behind, 1-3 to 0-5, and though Cork panellist Cathal Maguire – who had earlier scored a two-pointer – set up Browne to reply for the Haven, Michael’s landed a goal with the next play. Eric Hegarty won the kickout and his delivery put Hennessy through, allowing him to find Liam O’Sullivan, who applied the final touch.
Sam Murphyhad Michael’s 1-6 to 1-4 in front but, Maguire’s nice pass allowed Hurley to score a marvellous individual goal on 19. Then, after Hennessy and Herlihy points for Michael’s to put them back in front, 1-8 to 2-4, the Haven conjured another goal, with Jamie O’Driscoll coming up with a lovely dinked finish after a good move.
It allowed the Haven to go in leading by 3-5 to 1-8 after Hurley and Herlihy had exchanged frees, though Michael’s began the second half well.
Eric Hegarty pointed inside 25 seconds of the restart and then made an important challenge at the other end to snuff out a goal opportunity, before an excellent two-point free by James Ryan was followed by a quick break, allowing Herlihy to fire over for a 1-13 to 3-5 advantage.
As before, Haven replied with a goal, Hurley again on target after Maguire and Andrew Whelton provided the build-up work. Kevin O’Donovan put them 4-6 to 1-14 in front but when Hennessy replied for Michael’s, a close final quarter looked in prospect.
Instead, the Haven seized control.
M Hurley 2-4 (3 f), K O’Donovan, S Browne 1-2 each, J O’Driscoll 1-0, C Maguire (1 2pt), A Whelton 0-2 each, J Walsh 0-1.
L Herlihy 0-5 (0-4 f), A Hennessy 0-3, L O’Sullivan 1-0, J Ryan 0-2 (2pt f), R Kavanagh, K Hegarty, S Murphy, E Hegarty 0-1 each.
D Cahalane; S Walsh, J O’Regan, J Bohane; J O’Neill, J Walsh, C Maguire; A Whelton, D Whelton; S O’Connell, J O’Driscoll, S Browne; K O’Donovan, R Minihane, M Hurley.
F Collins for O’Neill (45, injured), T Collins for J Bohane (54), O Daly for D Whelton, M Crowley for Browne, E Kelly for O’Connell (all 57), D O’Donovan for Walsh, S Bohane for O’Donovan (both 59).
M O’Shaughnessy; R Aherne, F Leahy, L Carroll; R Kavanagh, B Cain, E Hegarty; K Leahy, E Hickey; J Ryan, K Hegarty, S Murphy; L O’Sullivan, L Herlihy, A Hennessy.
T Grainger for Cain (42, injured), R O’Shaughnessy for Murphy, Scott O’Sullivan for Leahy, E Buckley for Hennessy (all 48), P Quill for Carroll, L de Búrca for Ryan (both 53), J O’Sullivan for Kavanagh, J Dineen for Aherne (both 57).
M Collins (Clonakilty).
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