Castlehaven defeat Clonakilty after cracking U21 final to land title for first time in 16 years

Castlehaven 2-11 (2-0-11) Clonakilty 2-10 (2-0-10) 

Castlehaven claimed their first Clóna Milk Carbery U21A football championship title in 16 years by overcoming Clonakilty in Dunmanway on Sunday afternoon.

The Union Hall-Castletownshend club ended their title-drought and a run of five West Cork U21 A final defeats following a terrific contest.

A late Donal O’Callaghan score won it following a gripping contest that could have gone either way.

Danny O’Donovan got the Haven up and running with the final’s first point.

Next, Eamonn O’Donovan benefitted from one of many turnovers to double the Haven’s advantage.

Despite winning the kick-out battle, Castlehaven’s wastefulness meant the score remained unchanged until James Maguire made it 0-3 to 0-0.

Danny O’Donovan’s second score and two Mark Crowley points saw a rampant Castlehaven move six clear.

Those three scores came via winning possession from Clonakilty’s restarts as the Brewery Town struggled to get going.

It took a moment of Tom Whooley magic to kick-start Clon into life after 13 minutes. The All-Ireland minor winning forward cut in along the end-line, past three defenders, and billowed the net.

David Harte added a point before a curling Darragh Gough effort left the bare minimum in it.

Next, a Whooley goal-bound shot was tipped over by goalkeeper Adam Limrick and the sides were level 0-6 to 1-3 after 16 minutes.

Whooley fired over his second point to hand Clonakilty their first lead before Aaron Cullinane gathered a clearance to score.

Now it was a dominant Clon’s turn to win the midfield battle. They moved 1-6 to 0-6 ahead when Jack Byerley split the posts.

Four consecutive wides hurt Castlehaven’s cause and Clonakilty punished their opponent’s profligacy when Cullinane made it 1-7 to 0-6.

Mark Crowley kicked a badly needed Haven score before the Union Hall-Castletownshend club drew level.

Winning another Clonakilty kick-out, the ball was worked to Seàn Maguire who expertly found the bottom corner.

1-7 each was a fair reflection of the opening half.

The Haven’s William O’Donovan notched the second period’s first score. Micheál Maguire added another to make it 1-9 to 1-7.

Their opponents failed to muster a response until the 43rd minute. Darragh Gough’s defence-splitting pass found Jack Byerley who rounded the goalkeeper and netted.

The Brewery Town’s joy was short-lived however, as Castlehaven went up the other end and Micheál Maguire’s goal made it 2-9 to 2-7.

Jack Byerley reduced the deficit before Matt Murphy levelled matters with 11 minutes remaining.

Tom Whooley had another goal chance tipped over as the excitement reached a crescendo.

Clon’s Cal O’Mahony struck an upright at one end before Micheál Maguire’s equalising point three minutes from the end.

It was anyone’s final and Castlehaven grabbed their chance. Corner-back Donal O’Callaghan floated over the winning score to conclude a marvellous contest.

Scorers for Castlehaven: M Maguire 1-2, S Maguire 1-0, M Crowley 0-3, D O’Donovan 0-2, D O’Callaghan, W O’Donovan, J Maguire, E O’Donovan, 0-1 each.

Clonakilty: T Whooley 1-3, J Byerley 1-2, A Cullinane 0-2, M Murphy, D Gough, D Harte 0-1.

CASTLEHAVEN: A Limrick; D O’Callaghan, S Maguire, D Courtney; M Crowley, W O’Donovan, D O’Donoghue; N O’Callaghan, S O’Connell; E O’Donovan, M Maguire (c), J Maguire; J Buckley, E Maguire, D O’Donovan.

Subs: D McCarthy for D Courtney (ht), E Buckley for M Crowley (37, inj), C Moloney for N O’Callaghan (60, inj).

CLONAKILTY: C White; J Costello, S Coffey, E Minihane; A Cullinane, B Coffey, S O’Regan; M Murphy, D Harte; D Kenneally, D Gough (captain), É Deasy; J Byerley, T Whooley, M Lyons.

Subs: I Smith for S O’Regan (35), C O’Mahony for D Gough (44, inj).

Referee: Tommy Barry (Bantry Blues).