CIT defeat Bantry Blues

CIT qualify for senior football quarter-final and put an end to Bantry’s dismal season
By The Southern Star

CIT overcame the challenge of Bantry Blues to advance to the quarter final of the permanent tsb senior football championship. In the quarter final they will meet Douglas, who overcame the Barrs in another third round tie.

Played at the well appointed Ballineen venue, the game failed to ignite and the passion and excitement associated with this particular championship was sadly lacking. CIT deservedly triumphed and their economical use of possession was in marked contrast to that of their opponents who missed several chances. As well Bantry lacked real fire power up front and but for the excellent Declan Barron they would have suffered a much greater loss.

Barron tormented the CIT defence and his two second half goals kept his side in contention at a time when it appeared that the students would stroll to a comfortable victory. Unfortunately Barron did not receive the necessary level of support and the absence of both Philip Clifford and Paul O’Rourke was keenly felt.

Bantry began very impressively with Graham Canty and Damien O’Neill on top at midfield. Declan Barron pointed in the opening minute and when Sean McCarthy followed suit, a couple of minutes later, Bantry looked good. Barron who was very lively in that opening period notched his second point with a great score from a sideline ball with less than five minutes gone.

With the students looking ragged and ill at ease, Bantry failed to press home their superiority and gradually CIT began to get a foothold. Murt Kelleher and Alan O’Connor came more into the game at midfield and slowly but surely they whittled away the Bantry lead. Seamus O’Sullivan opened their account in the 8th minute before the impressive DJ Fleming narrowed the gap to the minimum with a 10th minute free. Growing in confidence CIT were level when hardworking wing back Paudie Breehan broke up field to shoot a good point. In the 13th minute Alan O’Connor, who returned from London for the game, hit a long-range point to put his side in front.

The next ten minutes were scoreless as both sides wasted chances but Bantry were out of luck in the 18th minute when Jeremy Canty saw his goalbound shot deflected away for a fruitless ’45 by Cork u21 ’keeper Kevin Murphy. DJ Fleming increased CIT’s lead to two points in the 23rd minute but Bantry’s response was instant. Damien O’Neill kicked a great score, in the 24th minute, his sides first for 19 minutes and then brought the sides level when fisting over a minute later.

It was the students who finished the stronger though and a Barry Hegarty free and one from play from Ray Keane saw them level at the interval by two points 0-7 to 0-5.

On the resumption CIT made the early running and a John Buckley point within three minutes further consolidated their strong position.

Bantry were playing second fiddle in many areas but a fine point from Graham Canty kept them in touch. Ray Keane with a fine point quickly nullified Bantry’s effort and, although not scoring, CIT were generally comfortable. The game by now was in due need of a goal and in the 42nd minute Bantry finally made the breakthrough. A long ball from Damien O’Neill was gathered by Declan Barron but before he could get his shot in was upended and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Barron picked himself up and dispatched the resultant penalty with aplomb to tie the game, with 18 minutes remaining.

This score should have been a signal for an upstart in Bantry’s fortunes but it was the College side that upped the tempo dramatically. Brian Hickey, an impressive sub, restored CIT’s lead entering the final quarter and wing back Sheehan kicked his second point with ten minutes remaining as the students set sail for home. Their passage looked assured a minute later when a long free from Murt Kelleher broke in the square and Barry Hegarty reacted quickest to fire home an unstoppable shot that opened up a five point gap. Billy Dennehy, who had a very disappointing outing, shot a point to extend the lead and Bantry’s goose looked cooked.

However the wearers of the blue jerseys have a proud football tradition and to their credit they refused to accept defeat. With O’Neill and Canty thundering into the game they drove forward in search of scores to keep their championship dreams alive.

With six minutes remaining they got a badly needed goal when a long ball from midfield saw Declan Barron gain possession before rounding the advancing Kevin Murphy. Barron kept his composure to fire home a great goal and the game was back on. Sean McCarthy quickly reduced the margin to just two points and Bantry looked like salvaging a draw. However try as they might, they could not register a score and when Brian Hickey kicked his side three points clear the die seemed cast. Again Bantry attacked incessantly but their only reward was a Jeremy Canty point although it took a last ditch deflection from full back Ger Turbredy to prevent a possible goal chance. The resultant ’45 drifted wide and CIT were safely through to the quarter finals for the first time ever.

Scorers:– CIT, B. Hegarty 1-2; DJ Fleming, P. Sheehan, B. Hickey and R. Keane 0-2 each, S. O’Sullivan, J. Buckley and B. Dennehy 0-1 each.

Bantry, D. Barron 2-2, S. McCarthy, D. O’Neill, 0-2; G. Canty and J. Canty 0-1 each.

CIT:– Kevin Murphy, Ml. Prout, Ger Turbredy, Robbie McGreen, Paudie Sheehan, Aidan O’Mahony, Eamonn O’Connor, Murt Kelleher, Alan O’Connor, D.J. Fleming, Ray Keane, Seamus O’Sullivan, Barry Hegarty, Shane Walsh, Billy Dennehy. Subs, John Buckley for O’Sullivan, Brian Hickey for Shane Walsh.

Bantry:– Des McAuley, Niall Twomey, Mark O’Connor, Tadhg Hurley, Niall Canty, Andy O’Shea, John Harrington, Damien O’Neill, Graham Canty, Sean McCarthy, Padraig Healy, Gerdy Barry, Donal O’Shea, Declan Barron, Jeremy Canty. Subs, Martin Coppinger and Donal McGrath.