Sexton hits hat-trick as CFC Banteer blitz Castleview in St Michael's Cup final

CFC Banteer 7 Castleview B 1

CFC Banteer lifted the St Michael’s Cup after Tadgh Sexton’s hat-trick helped them to an emphatic victory over Castleview B at St Colman’s Park.

Banteer started the game with intent and following neat build-up play, Liam Murphy crossed for David Murphy who fired narrowly wide.

And after Liam Murphy failed to get his shot away with any kind of conviction as McGrath picked with ease, Banteer took the lead when from Liam Murphy’s corner, Cathal O’Donoghue rose to send his powerful header crashing into the top corner on five minutes.

From a long kick-out, Jamie O’Connor worked off the shoulder of his marker before looping over.

But, minutes later, the ball broke kindly for O’Connor and using pace with control, he went on to place his effort beyond the advancing Keneally to restore parity once again on 15 minutes.

The game went into a lull for a while and after David Murphy fired straight at McGrath with his free kick, he got on the end of Alan Coughlan’s free before forcing McGrath to push out for a corner from his stinging effort.

From the resultant set-piece, David Murphy gathered from a clearance to float one into the box where Cathal O’Donoghue saw his header come back off the bar – only to arrive for Tadgh Sexton who helped home and hand CFC Banteer the advantage once again on 38 minutes.

Four minutes later, CFC Banteer added a third when Alan Coughlan’s free skimmed off a defender before Cathal O’Donoghue got a touch near goal to make it 3-1.

CFC Banteer were certainly going through a good period now and when Liam Murphy’s delivery from a corner reached Cathal O’Donoghue, he swept a ball over from the right where Tadgh Sexton pounced to head firmly into the corner on 44.

Then, with just seconds to the break, CFC Banteer added a fifth to put them in a very commanding position at the break when after David Murphy was fouled inside the box, Tadgh Sexton entrusted himself to take the penalty and complete his hat-trick with a terrific finish into the bottom corner – 5-1 to CFC Banteer at the break.

With just minutes into the second period, Jamie O’Connor nearly found a way through, but when it came to pulling the trigger, he was smothered out by a number of Banteer defenders before Steven Sheehan collected from Alan Coughlan to force Paul McGrath collect at the second time of asking.

And when Tadgh Sexton played in Steven Sheehan, Paul McGrath came off his line in time to win his 50-50 challenge with the Banteer striker.

At the other end, Gavin Duggan’s free was beaten away by Barry Kinealy and when the loose ball came for Jamie O’Connor, he fired wide from a good position.

But, neat combinational play saw Alan Coughlan exchange passes with Stewart O’Keeffe before finding the bottom corner with a cool finish on 68.

With CFC Banteer in total control now, it was inevitable that we would see them add another and it arrived after Stewart O’Keeffe collected from Liam Murphy before slotting home on 70.

Banteer managed the game well after that before Paul Bowdren’s final whistle was greeted by a jubilant Banteer bench as they took to the pitch to celebrate with their heroes.

CFC BANTEER: Barry Kinealy, Alan Coughlan, Cathal O’Donoghue, Brendan Stack, Brian O’Keeffe, David Murphy, Liam Murphy, Barry Murphy, Steven Sheehan, Tadgh Sexton, Harry Buttimer.

Subs: Stewart O’Keeffe for Tadgh Sexton (64), Timmy Murphy for Liam Murphy (69), Evan O’Brien for Brian O’Keeffe (76), Tadgh Murphy for Barry Murphy (80), Ryan O’Connell for Harry Buttimer (80).

CASTLEVIEW B: Paul McGrath, Jimmy O’Brien, Adrian Duggan, Gavin Duggan, Troy Barry, Morgan Griffin, Sean Harris, Steven Harris, Jamie O’Connor, Christopher Foley, Shane Clarke.

Subs: Alan Walsh for Steven Harris (half-time), Josh O’Connor for Sean Harris (54), Luke O’Mahony for Shane Clarke (59), David Forde for Morgan Griffin (63), Jonathon Harris for Jimmy O’Brien (74).

Referee: Paul Bowdren.

Assistants: Vlastimir Albert, Tony Thompson and Dave Hickey.