Division 1 FL: Mark Collins masterclass drives Castlehaven past St Finbarr's

Castlehaven: 1-18 (1-0-18) 

St Finbarr’s: 0-17 (0-1-15) 

Castlehaven are joint-top of the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League after seeing off St Finbarr’s in a free-flowing contest at Moneyvollahane on Wednesday evening.

The West Cork side now have seven points from five games as they move level with Clonakilty at the summit.

It was a richly deserved triumph for the Haven. They led by a point at the break, and a second half goal from Seán Browne proved a crucial score.

Former Cork footballer Mark Collins was the standout performer. He was majestic in the middle of the park while also totting up 0-4. It was, though, an excellent all-round team display.

St Finbarr’s have now suffered back-to-back defeats following their heavy loss to Carbery Rangers. They will be disappointed with their overall showing here. While they had periods of dominance, they were always chasing the game in a contest where Castlehaven set the tempo early. The Barrs have six points having played six games now.

Both sides were missing a bucket load of players for various reasons, so each will take positives. It was an enjoyable encounter with very little bite.

There were eight scores in a lively opening 10 minutes as Castlehaven led 0-5 to 0-3. Jack Cahalane was effective for the Haven with 0-2 while also assisting others. St Finbarr’s struggled early, with Cillian Myers-Murray’s effort the pick of their bunch.

David Whelton kicked his second to push the home team three clear. The sides traded points before the Barrs hit two of the next three to trail 0-8 to 0-6 after 22 minutes.

A superb two-pointer from a free by Cork goalkeeper Darragh Newman drew the Barrs level until Cork U20 footballer Rickey Barrett nudged the city side ahead. 

Castlehaven, however, hit three of the last four white flags of the half, with the evergreen Collins landing two, to lead 0-11 to 0-10 at the interval.

Collins landed his third on the resumption, followed by a Browne point. A St Finbarr's defensive malfunction then resulted in Castlehaven scoring 1-1, with William O’Donovan pointing before Browne goaled from close range to make it 1-14 to 0-10 after 35 minutes.

St Finbarr’s replied with quick-fire points from Barrett and Myers-Murray. The game tipped along with Castlehaven holding a 1-16 to 0-15 lead with 11 minutes remaining. Barrs sub Cian O’Sullivan helped drag them back into it with two fine points.

The teams swapped scores until the excellent Bill O’Connell left the Togher men three adrift entering added time.

Castlehaven stood firm, and sub Donnacha O’Donovan made sure of the win as he bisected the posts.

Scorers for Castlehaven: S Browne 1-3, J Cahalane 0-5, M Collins 0-4, W O’Donovan, D Whelton 0-2 each, K O’Donovan, D O’Donovan 0-1 each.

St Finbarr’s: B O’Connell 0-5, C Myers-Murray, 0-3, D Newman (1 2pt f), C O’Sullivan, R Barrett 0-2 each, A Lyne, A Buckley, J Wigginton-Barrett 0-1 each.

CASTLEHAVEN: J Walsh; J O’Regan, J Bohane, D O’Callaghan; G O’Driscoll, R Minihane, J O’Driscoll; M Collins, A Whelton; S Browne, J Cahalane, W O’Donovan; K O’Donovan, C Nolan, D Whelton.

Subs: J O’Neill for A Whelton (52), D O’Donovan for W O'Donovan (55), F Collins for J Cahalane (61).

ST FINBARR’S: D Newman; S Ryan, A O’Connor, J Kennefick; C Dennehy, M Ahern, E Dennehy; J Burns, T Egan; B O’Connell, A Lyne, T Howe; A Buckley, R Barrett, C Myers-Murray.

Subs: J Wigginton-Barrett for T Howe (h-t), C O’Sullivan for A Buckley, J Buttimer for A Lyne (both 40), E Hurley for C Dennehy (56).

Referee: David Murnane (Macroom).