Mark Coleman punishes Castlelyons with dramatic late winner for Blarney

Blarney 1-21 Castlelyons 1-20 

Blarney struck late to seal victory in the Co-Op Superstores Cork senior AHC in Riverstown on Saturday, as Mark Coleman belted a stoppage-time close-in free high to the net.

A free that will surely disappoint Castlelyons, as it was moved to a more favourable position due to ill-discipline. It was the third time over the hour the referee penalised them for dissent.

Colm Barry received a second yellow for the offence.

So, while Blarney will take the plaudits, be sure we haven’t seen the last of the 2005 finalists Castlelyons, who matched their opponents in this tightest of races. Shane Barrett (marked by fellow county player Niall O’Leary) and Alan Fenton top-scored respectively in a close hard-fought contest that was neck-and-neck throughout.

Blarney were up-and-running courtesy of Hegartys, Olan and Cathal. Castlelyons levelled, and then took the lead through a splendid long-range Colm Spillane effort.

Blarney edged in front once more with Cathal Hegarty, Barrett, captain Patrick Crowley and Pádraig Power pointing, 0-7 to 0-5 after quarter of an hour.

The first goal opportunity fell Castlelyons' way when an Anthony Spillane shot was diverted out for a 65, which Fenton converted. And they proceeded to take a two-point lead with 10 minutes of the first half remaining.

Blarney roared back, and when Shane Mulcahy found Cian Barrett, they levelled nine apiece. They scored twice more to Castlelyons' one, to hold a slender interval lead of 0-11 to 0-10.

Cian Barrett stretched the margin straight from the restart. They had a goal chance too, but Cathal Hegarty’s shot went wide.

A Niall O’Leary point sandwiched between a Cian Barrett white flag kept the east Cork men in touch.

Blarney would kick on through Coleman and Barrett frees, meanwhile Fenton drew a great save from Conor Murphy. A big score then arrived for Castlelyons when Doocey fielded a Colm Spillane delivery to find the net, 1-12 to 0-115.

Any time Castlelyons attacker Doocey got possession, he looked dangerous. 

Blarney went ahead once again, clipping points mainly from Barrett frees. Castlelyons won their share of frees too, which Fenton was only too happy to convert.

Five minutes from time Blarney were clinging on to a 0-21 to 1-16 advantage. A pair of Fenton frees, following fouls on Doocey and Fenton himself, tied proceedings.

Castlelyons, without defender Colm McCarthy who was out through an ACL injury, carried that momentum as sub Shane Cotter set up Doocey for the lead. Doocey again linked with Keith O’Leary to put his side two up.

Coleman then showed his mettle for the decisive green flag in the 64th minute.

Scorers for Blarney: S Barrett 0-9 (0-8 f), M Coleman 1-2 (1-1 f), C Hegarty 0-3, C Barrett 0-3, P Crowley 0-2, P Power, O Hegarty 0-1 each.

Castlelyons: A Fenton 0-10 (0-8 f, 0-1 65), L Doocey 1-2, A Spillane 0-3, C Spillane, N O’Leary, J Kearney, K O’Leary, O Hallihan 0-1 each.

BLARNEY: C Murphy; S Crowley, C Power, S Mullane; O Hegarty, M Coleman, A McEvoy; D McSweeney, P Crowley (c); C Barrett, P Power, S Barrett; E Kirby, C Hegarty, S Mulcahy.

Sub: C McCarthy for S Mulcahy (48).

CASTLELYONS: J Barry; J O’Leary, C Barry, D Spillane; S Moroney, C Spillane, N O’Leary; J Kearney (c), E Maye; K O’Leary, O Hallihan, A Spillane; D Morrison, L Doocey, A Fenton.

Subs: S Cotter for E Maye (48), O Linehan for D Morrisson (53).

Referee: Patrick O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).