Following todays win over Bandon, the Blues are guaranteed a place in this years PIFC Qtr Final, and a positive result in four weeks time in last round robin game V Naomh Aban could result in a direct route to this years semi final.
See Ger McCarthys, Irish Examiner match report below.
Irish Examiner
SUN, 18 AUG, 2024 - 15:36
GER MCCARTHY, DUNMANWAY
Coakley goal proves crucial as Bantry battle past Bandon and into knockouts
The Blues’ attempt to reach a third consecutive Premier IFC county final remains on course but only after the sternest of Bandon tests.
An Arthur Coakley goal proved the crucial score in Bantry Blues’ victory over west Cork rivals Bandon in the Premier IFC at a sun-kissed Dunmanway on Sunday.
The Blues’ attempt to reach a third consecutive Premier IFC county final remains on course but only after the sternest of Bandon tests.
David O’Donovan’s charges moved ahead of Naomh Abán in the Group 2 standings thanks to a second consecutive win.
Arthur Coakley’s 45th minute goal was a tight game’s crucial score. It handed the Blues a lead they would never relinquish and a place in the knockout stages.
“It was a local derby so nobody was going to give us anything soft today,” Bantry Blues manager David O’Donovan commented.
“Those Bandon lads are proud players. We have faced them many times before and they brought it to us for three-quarters of an hour today.
“The experience we have garnered over the last few years showed coming down the stretch. We didn’t panic despite missing four or five goal chances.
“I wouldn’t say they stuck to the process because that sounds a bit robotic but they kept attacking rather than sitting back on their lead. Had it gone on another 5 minutes we could have tacked on another few scores.”
A Michael Cahalane free opened the scoring before Cian O’Mahony doubled the lilywhites’ advantage.
Bantry’s poor distribution handed their opponents the initiative until Kevin Coakley’s marauding run earned a free which Arthur Coakley converted. Shane Keevers’ fisted effort levelled the score.
Coakley should have punished Bandon further but could only watch as his goal attempt clipped the crossbar and went over.
A Cahalane free settled Bandon nerves but Seanie O’Leary (free) replied to make it 0-4 to 0-3 in the Blues’ favour. Another Cahalane free levelled matters for the third time.
Cahalane edged Bandon back in front prior to Bandon’s Darren Crowley landing a 45’. The scores kept coming as the Blues’ Kevin Coakley raised a white flag but, once again, Cahalane proved coolness personified, landing another free to make it 0-7 to 0-6.
Cork senior Ruairí Deane equalised from a free before a fisted effort hit the Bandon crossbar and Arthur Coakley fired over the rebound.
Deane was denied a goal by a Ciarán McCarthy save but Coakley’s close-range free pushed Bantry a point clear prior to Cahalane (free) levelling matters at the interval.
Michael Cahalane’s seventh score (free) made it 0-9 to 0-8 early in the second period. Next, Seanie O’Leary kicked Bantry’s first wide and had a goal-bound effort repelled by Ciarán McCarthy as the tempo ratcheted up.
A superb Dara McCarthy equaliser preceded another positive spell in which both teams moved the ball at pace and Darren Crowley landed Bandon’s fifth free of the afternoon.
Bantry’s persistent fouling was punished by a Michael Cahalane free to edge the lilywhites two points ahead.
Brave Bandon blocking stopped Seanie O’Leary from netting a close-range goal prior to a major turning point. Arthur Coakley finally broke the Bandon’s defence’s resolve with a superbly taken goal to make 1-9 to 0-11 after 45 minutes.
Numerous chances were squandered at either end, Ruairí Deane’s second free made it a two-point game with less than 5 minutes remaining. David Daly’s point meant Bandon needed a goal to force a draw.
Michael Cahalane and Arthur Coakley swapped frees before Kevin Coakley, another from Arthur Coakley and Deane (free) sealed the Blues’ triumph.
Bantry conclude their Premier IFC Group 2 fixtures against Naomh Abán in Newcestown on Saturday, September 14th. Bandon take on Nemo Rangers’ second string in Ballygarvan on the same day.
Scorers for Bantry Blues: A Coakley 1-6 (0-3 frees), R Deane (0-2 frees) 0-3, K Coakley 0-2, S Keevers, S O’Leary (0-1 free), D McCarthy, D Daly 0-1 each.
Bandon: M Cahalane 0-9 (0-8 frees), D Crowley (0-1 45’, 0-1 free) 0-2, C O’Mahony 0-1.
BANTRY BLUES: M Casey; S Thornton, R O’Mahony, C Cronin; B Foley, E O’Shea, B Foley; S O’Leary, D McCarthy; S Keevers, K Casey, D Daly; A Coakley (captain), R Deane, K Coakley.
Subs: None used.
BANDON: C McCarthy; S Ahern, B Crowley, E McSweeney; C Calnan, P Murphy (captain), C O’Mahony; T Twohig, D O’Donovan; P Calnan, J Mulcahy, B Donegan; C Long, M Cahalane, D Crowley.
Subs: M Sugrue for B Donegan (46), J Calnan for C O’Mahony (50), H O’Mahony for C Long (59).
