Third quarter charge sees Bantry Blues defeat Nemo Rangers

Nemo held a two-point lead at the interval having finished the first half strongly, but a ruthless Blues side thundered into the game in the third quarter

Cork Premier IFC quarter-final

Bantry Blues 3-12 Nemo Rangers 2-6

Bantry Blues moved through the gears in the third quarter as they scored 2-4 without reply which enabled them to defeat Nemo Rangers following this Bon Secours Premier IFC quarter-final tie played at Enniskeane on Sunday afternoon.

Despite the inclement weather conditions, both sides served up an entertaining game. Nemo held a two-point lead at the interval having finished the first half strongly, but a ruthless Blues side thundered into the game in the third quarter.

Seanie O’Leary emerged as the dominant figure at midfield, while star forwards Arthur Coakley and Paddy Cronin were also key players in their rejuvenated second-half performance.

Bantry's greater physicality and more direct style of football were key factors in their win against their youthful opponents.

Bantry who lined out without Cork player Ruairí Deanie who was absent through injury, started well as they surged into a five-point lead. Arthur Coakley struck two frees before he netted in the ninth minute after running onto a deft pass from Paddy Cronin. Nemo Rangers struck their first goal in the 18th minute when Ciaran Dalton struck from close range to reduce the deficit to two points.

Colm Kiely and Jack Sheedy exchanged points to maintain the status quo, but Nemo finished the half strongly as they struck 1-1 in injury time.

Ciaran Dalton netted his second goal before Eoin Nation pointed to enable Nemo to hold a two-point lead, 2-3 to 1-4.

Bantry thundered into the game in the second half. Successive points from Cronin and O’Leary restored parity after 36 minutes before two goals in two minutes effectively sealed victory for the Blues. Stephen Coughlan netted after an inviting ball from Dara McCarthy, before Coakley grabbed his second goal after linking up well with Paddy Cronin.

The Blues were rampant at this stage. Further points from Cronin and the imperious O’Leary moved them eight points clear after 47 minutes. Nemo Rangers fought gallantly, but Bantry added a number of points in the closing stages as they eased to victory.

Bantry Blues now proceed to a semi-final encounter against Kilshannig.

Scorers for Bantry Blues: A Coakley 2-4 (0-3f); S Coughlan 1-0, S O’Leary 0-4 (1f, 1m), P Cronin 0-2, J Sheedy, C O’Brien 0-1 each.

Scorers for Nemo Rangers: C Dalton 2-0, C Kiely 0-3 (0-1f), B O’Neill, E Nation, C Cusack 0-1 each.

Bantry Blues: M Casey; M Óg O’Sullivan, T Cronin, C O’Brien; B Foley, J O’Neill, S Thornton, S Coughlan, S O’Leary; D McCarthy, K Casey, S Keevers; P Cronin, A Coakley, J Sheedy.

Subs: D Daly for S Keevers (43); O O’Neill for B Foley (56).

Nemo: C Martin; A McGowan, C Coughlan, O Whyte; S Burke, K O'Sullivan, E Nation; J O’Donovan, B O’Neill; C Cusack; C Kiely, C Dalton, E Mangan, C O’Brien, T O’Brien.

Subs: C O’Neill for E Mangan (18 inj), R Shalloe for B O’Neill (39), D Quinn for C O’Neill (49), B O’Neill for C Cusack (60).

Referee: Pat O’Leary (Kilmurry).