Clonakilty and Castlehaven gear up for 'knockout football' after first draw at senior

Castlehaven and Clonakilty’s McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC draw has setup an intriguing final round of group games.

A rain-lashed Rosscarbery played host to last Sunday’s West Cork derby which ended in a 1-12 to 1-12 draw.

That outcome, coupled with Knocknagree’s defeat of Ballincollig means it is all to play for in Group 3 of the Premier SFC.

Clon and the Haven sit top of the group on three points each with John Fintan-Daly’s side a point behind in third. Ballincollig prop up the table and have yet to register a point. Ahead of Clonakilty versus Ballincollig and Castlehaven facing Knocknagree, both Eoin Ryan (Clonakilty) and Seanie Cahalane (Castlehaven) agreed that a draw was the fairest outcome last Sunday.

“There was a lot of talk during the week that we hadn’t beaten the Haven since they came up senior,” Ryan said. “The truth is, we hadn’t drawn with them either. So, there you go. A bit of history.

We’re going in the right direction. Look, we’ve three points on the board and our scoring difference is quite good.

“So, we can look forward to the last game and know that the whole thing is in our own hands.” 

Castlehaven edged Knocknagree in a cracking Division 1 county league final earlier this year. Manager Seanie Cahalane is expecting an equally close encounter when the sides meet again on Sunday, September 13 at Páirc Uí Rinn.

“We will probably have a bit of a down week this week and start building towards Knocknagree after that,” Cahalane commented.

“Look, Knocknagree are a good side. We played them in the league final and we know all about them and they know all about us.

“So, look, it's probably knockout football from now on. It is into the business end of the year. You need to perform, you need to be winning and sure, if you don’t, you’re out. It is as simple as that.” 

STAYING POSITIVE

Clonakilty remain undefeated in their group and will be hoping to build on that momentum ahead of facing Ballincollig in Kilmurry the same afternoon their West Cork rivals are in action.

“We are disappointed we didn’t win but are happy we didn’t lose so what can you say?” Eoin Ryan admitted. “We had chances. They had chances. It could have gone either way.

“Up to Chris Kenneally’s goal, I thought we were definitely taking the game to the Haven.

“After that, we kind of stepped off a small bit, which left him into it. They got a two-pointer straight after.

“I suppose we kicked on again and looked good in the second half there for a while.” Ryan also heaped praise on the younger members of Clonakilty’s senior panel who made their mark against a tough opponent.

“We went through the league this year and we were looking to find guys,” the Clonakilty coach added. “Obviously, Dylan Harrington was with the Cork U20s. We know what Dylan can do and, in fairness, he’s blended in well with the other lads.

“Des Kenneally has done very well too. Chris Kenneally is there with a few years now. We have more guys on the bench as well.

You need a panel and we built that during the league. It is standing to us now.” 

Andrew Whelton netted an important second-half goal to help ensure the Haven earned a deserved share of the points. Whelton’s efforts, along with other younger Castlehaven squad members, pleased his manager.

“You couldn’t fault the effort, and I thought a draw was probably a fair enough result in the end,” Seanie Cahalane stated.

“There wasn’t much between the teams. Conditions played a part in it as well. I thought both players, at times, found it hard to get to grips with ball handling, slipping at times.

“Our second-half goal brought us back into it. Once that went in, it brought us momentum even though we struggled to kick on. As I said, I think a draw was a fair result.“