Division 1 FL: Three Cork seniors help Castlehaven record an important win against Carrigaline

Carrigaline: 1-15 (1-1-13) 

Castlehaven: 3-15 (3-3-9) 

In a massive game at the bottom, it was Castlehaven who emerged victorious following a great battle with Carrigaline in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League on Sunday morning.

Both sides were on two points apiece after six games prior to this encounter in Carrigaline, but it was the Haven who did enough to push two points clear of the drop zone with two matches now remaining.

It’s now six defeats in seven with demotion to Division 2 a real possibility for last year’s Division 1 league champions, Carrigaline.

The back-to-back Cork Premier SFC winners were able to call upon Cork senior footballers Rory Maguire, Conor Cahalane and Cathal Maguire in this one and all three contributed to this success.

The West Cork side laid the groundwork in the opening 30 minutes, playing against the wind, they led by two points at the interval.

The team in blue and white pushed on after the break helped by three two-pointers and an excellent defensive display led by Johnny O’Regan and Thomás O’Mahony.

Carrigaline had a strong wind advantage in the first half, but it was the away team that started the better with 1-3 without reply inside the first seven minutes.

The goal coming after two minutes when Andrew Whelton finished low into the net. Micheál Maguire’s effort the pick of the points.

Carrigaline were without the two Coakley brothers, Niall and Brian, as it took them some time to get into their rhythm. A Kevin O’Reilly fisted effort over the bar was their first score after eight minutes.

Carrigaline did kick two of the next three points, but Cahalane and Micheál Maguire white flags gave Castlehaven a 1-6 to 0-3 lead after 15 minutes.

The home side rallied, a two-pointer from Pa Mellett was followed by a Callum Barrett effort to bring them within three points. A Kieran McCarthy goal following a neat team move after 20 minutes drew the teams level, 1-6 apiece.

Four minutes later, the Haven restored their lead when Robbie Minihane expertly finished into the corner of the net.

The sides swapped points before a McCarthy effort left Carrigaline two points adrift at the break, 2-7 to 1-8.

Despite Castlehaven having the wind advantage for the new half, Carrigaline kicked three of the first four points to draw parity with Chris O’Herlihy, Evan Ryle and Seán Andrews getting the scores.

The Haven always had that knack to pull away from Carrigaline and a beauty of a 45 from Cathal Maguire, his second of the day, and a Cahalane green flag pushed them 3-9 to 1-11 in front after 40 minutes.

Carrigaline did put two unanswered points together to trail by two points, but three two-pointers on the trot were crucial scores for Castlehaven. Michael Hurley with two, one coming from a free, and a long-range Rory Maguire effort, 3-15 to 1-13 after 48 minutes of action.

A pair of O’Reilly points late on, one which was a free, were mere consolation scores for Carrigaline.

Scorers for Carrigaline: K O’Reilly 0-4 (0-2 f), K McCarthy 1-1, S Andrews 0-3, P Mellett (1 2pt), C Barrett 0-2 each, C O’Herlihy, E Landers (f), E Ryle 0-1 each.

Castlehaven: M Hurley 0-6 (1 2pt, 1 2pt f, 0-2 f), C Cahalane 1-2, A Whelton, R Minihane 1-0 each, M Maguire 0-3, R Maguire (1 2pt), C Maguire (0-2 45) 0-2 each.

CARRIGALINE: K Daly; K McNulty, I Sheerin, C O’Herlihy; D King, K Kavanagh, K McCarthy; P Mellett, N O’Keeffe; E Ryle, C Barrett, S Andrews; E Landers, R Delaney, K O’Reilly.

Subs: C Barry for R Delaney, J McCarthy for E Ryle (both 46), J Kelly for K McCarthy, A Doherty for E Landers (both 49), C Kearney for S Andrews (52), T Cronin for C Barrett (54).

CASTLEHAVEN: S Collins; J O’Regan, T O’Mahony, S Walsh; J Bohane, J O’Neill, C Maguire; A Whelton, R Maguire; C Cahalane, R Minihane, S Browne; M Maguire, M Hurley, J O’Driscoll.

Subs: K O’Donovan for J O’Neill (51), R Whelton for R Maguire (54), S O’Connell for J Bohane, D O’Donovan for C Cahalane (both 56).

Referee: Canice Walsh (Nemo Rangers).