Division 1 FL: Clonakilty and Castlehaven deadlocked in dire weather conditions
Seán White of Clonakilty attempts to tackle Mark Collins of Castlehaven in 2022. Picture: Dan Linehan
Clonakilty and Castlehaven shared the spoils — probably the fairest outcome — in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League at Clonakilty on Saturday afternoon.
The encounter was played in extremely difficult conditions, with driving wind and heavy rain, but great credit goes to both teams who left everything out on the pitch. It was a typical West Cork derby with no quarter asked or given.
Both sides will meet again later this year in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC. Hopefully the weather will be better on that day.
It was no surprise that it was low-scoring. Clonakilty held a four-point lead at the interval, but it perhaps wasn’t enough given the strength of the wind, with Martin O’Brien’s side failing to score in the second half. At times they overplayed when the simpler option might have served them better.
Castlehaven landed three scores after the break, including one orange flag. The last of those arrived 17 minutes from time. Both teams pushed for a winner, but it never came.
After winning their first two games, Clonakilty lost to Knocknagree a fortnight ago on home soil. While they would have liked to take two points here, they will gladly accept the draw, moving to five points from four games.
Castlehaven, who have played just three fixtures, move on to four points and remain unbeaten.
The Haven opened brightly, kicking the first two points through Mark Collins and Seán Browne inside three minutes — patient, well-worked scores — but they wouldn’t score again in the first half. Playing into a gale, Seanie Cahalane’s side had their moments, but a mix of wayward shooting and strong Clonakilty defending kept them at bay.
Clonakilty responded with three scores, including a Darragh Gough two-pointer, followed by a free from that man Gough and a Seán McEvoy point to lead 0-4 to 0-1 after 16 minutes. Cork footballer Conor Daly might have stretched the advantage further, but his goal-bound effort was brilliantly saved by Castlehaven goalkeeper Darragh Cahalane.
A Thomas Clancy orange flag pushed Clonakilty into a 0-6 to 0-2 half-time lead.
Castlehaven, now wind-assisted, registered their first score in 28 minutes when Cathal Maguire curled over a superb two-pointer from a difficult angle. In a second half that produced only three scores, that orange flag proved crucial in securing a positive result for the visitors.
Points from Conor Nolan and Browne levelled the game after 43 minutes, and with the weather worsening, neither side could add to their tally.
Castlehaven enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the final quarter and kicked several wides. They may feel slightly disappointed not to have edged it.
Maguire looked to have won it late on with a two-pointer, but Clonakilty defender Daniel Darragh produced a superb diving block to prevent the effort reaching the target.
Both teams will take the point and move on.
D Gough 0-3 (1 2pt, 0-1 f), T Clancy 0-2 (1 2pt), S McEvoy 0-1.
C Maguire (1 2pt), S Browne 0-2 each, C Nolan, M Collins 0-1 each.
M White; D Darragh, D Peet, D Lowney; J O’Mahony, T Clancy, S White; B White, B Ridgeway; D Kenneally, D Ó Sé, C Kenneally; D Gough, C Daly, S McEvoy.
C Ryan for D Kenneally (43), D O’Sullivan for S White (48), M Murphy for D Gough (58).
D Cahalane; J O’Regan, J Bohane, D O’Callaghan; S Walsh, G O’Driscoll, W O’Donovan; J Walsh, J O’Neill; S Browne, C Maguire, C Nolan; K O’Donovan, M Collins, M Hurley.
A Whelton for W O’Donovan (50), D O’Donovan for S Browne (58).
Alan Long (Argideen Rangers).
App?
