PIFC: Conor Casey in top form as Rockchapel deny Bantry Blues
Captains Shane McCarthy, Rockchapel, and Bantry Blues' Mark Óg O'Sullivan with referee Peter O'Leary. Picture: JJ Hurley
Bantry were left to rue a series of missed goal opportunities as Rockchapel produced a determined second-half display to claim a victory in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Intermediate Football Championship at Cill na Martra on Saturday.
Bantry will be disappointed with the outcome after creating a number of clear goal chances throughout the game. Their inability to convert those opportunities proved costly, while Rockchapel were far more clinical in the closing stages. A strong second-half performance, aided by the wind and a run of unanswered scores, ensured the North Cork side finished the stronger and claimed the championship points.
The West Cork side made a positive start and should have found the net early on when Conor Cronin played a neat pass through to Mark Óg O’Sullivan, but his effort was struck straight at Rockchapel goalkeeper Conor Casey. Bantry were also guilty of wasteful shooting in the opening period, registering three wides in the space of as many minutes.
Rockchapel opened the scoring through Seamus Hickey before Bantry responded impressively. Arthur Coakley and Ruairí Deane both raised white flags before Dara McCarthy added another fine point to give Bantry a 0-3 to 0-1 advantage after 10 minutes.
Despite controlling much of the early play, Bantry failed to make their chances count. Billy Sheehan came close on 18 minutes when his point attempt struck the post. Collecting the rebound, he drove his second effort wide. A Ciarán Curtain free a minute later reduced the deficit to a single point as Rockchapel continued to grow into the contest.
Jack Curtain levelled matters on 23 minutes before Mikey McAuliffe edged Rockchapel in front three minutes later after finishing a perfectly weighted pass from Adam Carroll. Bantry responded immediately, with Shane McSweeney bringing the sides level again a minute later. However, it was the North Cork outfit who went into the interval leading by a point, thanks to another score from McAuliffe.
Bantry made the perfect start to the second half when Owen O’Neill finished to the net, giving his side the momentum. They nearly struck for a second goal moments later, only for Conor Casey to deny Arthur Coakley what looked a certain score. Coakley instead converted the resulting 45.
As the sides exchanged scores, Bantry stretched their advantage to 1-6 to 0-6 by the 36th minute and appeared to be in control. However, the game turned when Kevin Casey was shown a black card.
Although Ruair Deane responded to a superb two-point free from Casey with a two-pointer of his own, Rockchapel seized the initiative. Playing with the aid of the wind, the Duhallow side increased the intensity as Bantry began to lose momentum.
Three unanswered points from Jimmy McAuliffe, Ciarán Curtain and David Carroll brought Rockchapel level on 43 minutes. Bantry thought they had regained the upper hand a minute later when Owen O’Neill found the net again, but referee Peter O’Leary ruled the goal out.
From there, Rockchapel took complete control. They moved 0-14 to 1-8 in front by the 54th minute as Bantry struggled to regain a foothold in the contest. Kevin Casey offered the West Cork side hope with a point on 56 minutes, but Rockchapel immediately replied through John Walsh.
Bantry battled until the finish and, deep into added time, reduced the deficit to a single point thanks in part to a two-point effort from Arthur Coakley. However, Rockchapel were not to be denied. Pat Curtain punched over the final score of the contest to seal a deserved two-point victory.
J McAuliffe, M McAuliffe 0-3 each, C Casey (tpf), C Curtin (0-2 f), J Curtin, S Hickey, S Walsh 0-2 each, P Curtin 0-1 each.
A Coakley 0-5 (2pt f, 0-1 f, 0-1 45), O O’Neill 1-1, R Deane 0-3 (2pt f, 0-1 f), D McCarthy, K Casey, S McSweeney 0-1 each.
C Casey; B Carroll, E O’Callaghan, P Curtin; J O’Callaghan, S Curtin, M O’Keeffe; E Murphy, C Curtin; J Curtin, S Hickey, F Murphy; A Carroll, M McAuliffe, J McAuliffe.
J Walsh for A Carroll and D Lenihan for F Murphy (both 39), D Carroll for M McAuliffe (55).
B Clancy; C O’Brien; R O’Mahony, T Cronin; D McCarthy, M Óg O’Sullivan, C Cronin; J O’Neill, K Casey; B Sheehan, R Deane, K Coakley; A Coakley, S McSweeney, O O'Neill.
S O’Leary for B Sheehan (45), P Cronin for S McSweeney (53).
Referee: P O’Leary (Casletownbere) .
App?
