Division 1 FL: Castlehaven comfortably see off Éire Óg to guarantee safety
Castlehaven's Andrew Whelton breaks past Jack Murphy of Éire Óg. Picture: Dan Linehan
Castlehaven made it back-to-back wins in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League following a comfortable victory over Éire Óg at Moneyvollahane on Sunday morning.
The West Cork side are now four points clear of the drop zone in what was the penultimate league fixture for both this season, so safety has been secured for the back-to-back Cork Premier SFC winners.
Éire Óg still have work to do to make sure of safety with Harry O’Reilly’s side just two points above the relegation places. A draw in the final game at home to Cill na Martra will be enough for them to avoid the drop.
It was all too easy for Castlehaven in truth in this one. They conceded the first score, but after that, it was one-way traffic albeit against an Éire Óg side who were understrength.
Castlehaven had a strong wind advantage in the opening 30 minutes, but it was a great Eoin O’Shea point that got the away outfit up and running after two minutes. It would be the only time they would lead.
Castlehaven would rattle off 1-6 without reply in what was a swashbuckling performance even if they were allowed too much space at times. Michael Hurley with four points, two frees, while Seán Browne and Jamie O’Driscoll also got points.
Browne also got a goal, a great finish into the top corner of the net after being played in by Cathal Maguire, 1-6 to 0-1 after 13 minutes.
The teams traded points before a Micheál Maguire two-pointer gave Castlehaven a comfortable advantage.
Éire Óg did rally of sorts with 1-2 without reply, Brian Hurley with 1-1, the point which was a free and a Jack Murphy effort, 1-9 to 1-4 after 26 minutes.
Castlehaven were always comfortable though. An O'Driscoll two-pointer was followed by a point from the impressive defender. Rian O'Flynn's effort was sandwiched in between those scores for Éire Óg, 1-12 to 1-5 at half-time.
The Muskerry side were wind-assisted for the second half, but it was the West Cork team who continued their firm grip on proceedings with five unanswered points. Andrew Whelton’s effort the highlight.
Turnovers weren’t helping Éire Óg, but to their credit, they kept going. They gave themselves a lifeline with a second goal after 40 minutes when Dylan Foley tapped home from close range, 1-17 to 2-5.
Castlehaven never looked in bother at any stage. That man Michael Hurley slotted over a great point following his trademark run and even though a Jack Murphy two-pointer did leave Éire Óg just eight points adrift with still 17 minutes to play, they couldn’t get any rhythm going.
Michael Hurley converted a free for the Haven and even though Éire Óg put together two unanswered white flags, Micheál Maguire had the final say with a brilliant point, as the team in blue and white recorded an eight-point victory.
M Hurley 0-8 (0-5 f), J O’Driscoll 0-5 (1 2pt), M Maguire 0-4 (1 2pt), S Browne 1-1, A Whelton, S O’Connell 0-1 each.
B Hurley 1-3 (0-3 f), J Murphy 0-3 (1 2pt), D Foley 1-0, E O’Shea, H Murphy, R O’Flynn 0-1 each.
S Collins; J O'Regan, J Bohane, O Daly; J O’Driscoll, J O’Neill, C Maguire; A Whelton, D Whelton; S O’Connell, R Minihane, S Browne; M Crowley, M Hurley, M Maguire.
J Walsh for D Whelton (44), K O’Donovan for M Crowley (51), R Whelton for M Hurley (59), F Collins for S Browne (61, inj).
C Kelly; J Mullins, M Brady, A McCarthy; E O’Shea, D Dineen, H Murphy; C McGoldrick, D Kelly; R O’Flynn, J Kelleher, J Murphy; B Hurley, D Foley, J Galvin.
D Goulding for R O’Flynn, D O’Herlihy for D Dineen (both 39).
Michael Collins (Clonakilty).
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