Premier 2 MHC: Bandon roar back to triumph in minor semi-final
Bandon's Aidan O'Driscoll racing away from Ibane Gaels' Anthony Hunt during Wednesday's Rebel Óg Premier 2 MHC semi-final at Clonakilty. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
A slow start was no major impediment as Bandon responded well to book a place in the final of the Rebel Óg Premier 2 MHC.
In Wednesday night’s west Cork derby at Clonakilty, the Lilywhites conceded 1-2 to Ibane Gaels before registering a score of their own. By the 12th minute, they were still four behind, 1-5 to 0-3; but by half-time they had forged in front for the first time and impressively pulled clear in the second half to set up a clash with Carrigtwohill or St Finbarr’s in the decider.
Having gone in leading by 0-10 to 1-6 at the break following Cathal O’Riordan’s second point – a goal might have resulted but the ball whistled over – Bandon set about solidifying their advantage on the restart.
Liam O’Driscoll, impressive in the half-back line, set up Daniel Murphy for a point before Cormac O’Flynn threw over a good effort. Though Ibane Gaels responded through their dangerman Luke Murphy to leave it 0-12 to 1-7, the Argideen Rangers/Barryroe combination would fall seven behind before scoring again.
Bandon opened up a five-point advantage when Aidan O’Driscoll’s delivery wasn’t dealt with, allowing Murphy to nip in and net from close range; after Kyle O’Connell saved well from Donagh Flynn at the other end, a massive free by Bandon captain Denis O’Mahony and a good Aidan O’Driscoll point left it 1-14 to 1-7.
With Richard Tarrant strong at centre-back, Bandon began to turn the screw. They could even afford a disallowed goal as Michael O’Donovan was in the square when he turned O’Mahony’s free home, but O’Mahony, Murphy and O’Riordan all had points as the lead was extended.
It was 1-19 to 1-9 when Ibane Gaels won a penalty on 51 minutes but O’Connell saved from Luke Murphy. The goalkeeper also denied the same player on 56 while Ibane knew it wouldn’t be their night a minute later – Mike Collins set up Jamie Collins, whose shot hit the post and while Murphy got to the loose ball, his follow-up also found the woodwork. Against, that, Bandon might have had a late goal as Aidan O’Driscoll’s good run led to a chance but Seán Flynn saved.
Ibane did raise a green flag at the death, Jamie Collins netting with Mike Collins the provider, but Bandon’s victory was assured by that stage.
Such an outcome must have seemed remote, given how well Ibane started, even allowing for the injury-enforced absence of Riley O’Donovan. Luke Murphy had the goal inside the opening minute, Jamie Collins the provider, but thereafter Daniel Coughlan did well to stop him dominating.
Flynn was also to the fore as Ibane dominated, while Mike Collins excelled in a sweeping role, aided by loose Bandon deliveries. As the half went on, the Lilywhites were more effective in attack and more than once, Ibane corner-back Ben Dwyer made important interventions, most especially a block on a Cathal O’Riordan shot.
By that stage, the lead had been cut to one, 1-6 to 0-8, and O’Mahony levelled with the 65. O’Riordan sent Bandon in leading and they held the upper hand from there.
D O’Mahony (0-4 f, 0-2 65), M O’Donovan (0-4 f) 0-6 each, D Murphy 1-2, C O’Riordan 0-3, A O’Driscoll, C O’Flynn 0-2 each, J Heverin 0-1.
L Murphy 1-5 (0-5 f), D Flynn 0-4, J Collins 1-1, K Hennessy 0-1.
K O’Connell; T O’Riordan, D Coughlan, M Foley; C O’Flynn, R Tarrant, L O’Driscoll; J Heverin, C McWeeney; D O’Mahony, D Murphy, A O’Driscoll; C O’Riordan, M O’Donovan, C O’Flynn.
A Hurley for C McWeeney (55), O Coughlan for Heverin (57), B O’Regan for O’Donovan (60), D Whelton for C O’Riordan (60+2).
S Flynn; D Murphy, J Twomey, B Dwyer; A Hunt, C Murphy, D Dineen; K Hennessy, R Hennessy; M Power, A Fleming, M Collins; D Flynn, L Murphy, J Collins.
C Collins for Power (33), P Deasy for R Hennessy (37).
A O’Regan (Kilbrittain).
App?
