Veteran McCarthy adds icing to Sheedy’s scoring masterclass in Junior B Championship victory 

RCM TARMACADAM CARBERY GAA JUNIOR B HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Bantry Blues 1-26 V 2-08 Barryroe

Following the Blues first round victory over O’Donovan Rossa, the blues travelled to Castletownkennigh to face Barryroe. There were significant changes to the starting line up from the round 1 fixture, with six players unavailable due to injury or holidays. This put pressure on the small squad available, but all those who took to the field gave it their all. In true Junior B tradition, the blues had family generations playing together. The McCarthys led by Eamon with his two sons Robyn & Dara lining out and the Barrys led by Gerdie along with his son Fionn lining out

Barryroe started the game strongly showing some silky skills but were unable to convert their possession to scores, while the blues went on a scoring spree led by Jack Sheedy ( 7pts (3F)) & Paddy Cronin (4pts) , with Arthur Coakley adding 2points & Jack McCarthy (1pt) getting his name on the scoresheet by the break. Daniel Murray was unlucky not to raise the green flag with a powerful shot brilliantly saved by the Barryroe netminder. The blues dominated most of the play for most of the opening half, with Barryroe scoring 1-02 in the closing minutes of the half.

Half Time : Bantry Blues 0-14 V 2-03

The second half continued with young Sheedy & Cronin continuing to notch up the scores, helped with the long-distance puck outs of goalkeeper Alan OSullivan, who also raised the white flag with an 80m free. Shane Keevers was rewarded for his hard work throughout the game with a great point. Dara McCarthy worked tirelessly in the middle of the field winning unwinnable balls at times. While the scoring of Cronin and Sheedy from play was masterclass, the dead ball accuracy of Sheedy was sublime, with the scoreboard operator putting up the score before the sliotar was even pucked, such was Jacks laser like shots on the night. While the young guns got and deserved all the plaudits on their scoring, the score of the game came from a member of the Blues Senior Footballers of 95/98, Eamon McCarthy. In the last minute of play, Jack Sheedy prepared to take a free, 30m out directly in front of goal. As he was happy with his points tally, he decided to have a shot at goal, which was crowded with Barryroe players. With all his power, Jack lifted the sliotar and struck it perfectly towards the goal, only to hit the crossbar with a loud clang and rebound back out the field where it bounced in front of the evergreen Eamon McCarthy who in pure Christy Ring mode, struck it on the bounce straight to thru the defence , rattling the back of the net. His celebration was one for the ages, with his two super proud sons running to congratulate him.

BAntry Blues team manager Conor “Kiely” Cronin, was extremely satisfied with the performance of his charges, especially hitting 27 scores

This was a great team performance from all the panel. Next up on the second of Sept is a trip to Ballinacarriga to face joint table topper Kilbrittain.

Bantry Blues sponsored by The Boston Bar

Full time score : Bantry Blues 1-26 V 2-08 Barryroe

Scorers : Jack Sheedy 0:14 (7f) , Paddy Cronin 0-06 , Arthur Coakley 0:02, Jack McCarthy, Shane Keevers Alan OSullivan 0:01 each & score of the game Eamon McCarthy 1:00

Bantry Blues : Alan O’Sullivan, Daithi Shiels, Tim Cronin, John Crowley, Fionn Barry, Robyn mcCarthy, CConor Cronin, Dara McCarthy, Jack McCarthy, Jack Sheedy, Shane Keevers, Michael ODonovan, Paddy Cronin, Arthur Coakley, Daniel Murray, Oran Wiseman, Gerdie Barry, Eamon McCarthy, Conor Cronin

Team Management: Conor Cronin, Cathal mcCarthy, Kieran Collins

Maor Uisce: Mike OSullivan