Bantry overcome vibrant challenge

Bantry Blues 2-10, Aghada 0-12

A majestic display from Damien O'Neill at midfield and Philip Clifford's penchant for goals were the key factors as Bantry Blues pulled back a six point interval deficit to get the better of gallant Aghada in a lively TSB county senior football championship first-round clash at Ovens last Saturday evening.

Not exactly a vintage performance by the hotly-fancied South-West men, however, and, in truth, they needed the rub of the green at critical stages of the match to achieve the desired result. They certainly had reason to count their blessings when Aghada corner-forward, Trevor O'Keeffe, blazed harmlessly wide with a goal at his mercy in the 12th. minute. At the time, Aghada led by 0-4 to 0-1, and their vibrant challenge would surely have gathered momentum had O'Keeffe made the most of that golden opportunity.

As it was, Aghada continued to put it up to Bantry, and the East-Cork side were full value for their 0-8 to 0-2 lead at the interval. With a strong wind to assist them, it was always on the cards that the trend of the play would swing Bantry's way in the second-half, but Aghada's form had been sufficiently impressive before the break to suggest that they wouldn't be easily overhauled. Before Aghada had time to brace themselves against an anticipated Bantry onslaught, however, they were rocked back on their heels when Philip Clifford pounced for the first of his two goals inside 31 minutes. The chance came about after an effort for a point by corner forward, Declan Barron, struck the upright, and Clifford was perfectly positioned to collect the rebound before rattling the roof of the net with typical aplomb.

A fortuitous score, indeed, and one which, unquestionably, had a vital bearing on the outcome. It gave Bantry the boost they needed to stage a recovery which was effectively completed when Clifford's sheer persistence enabled him to win a tussle for possession close to the square in the 53rd minute before lashing a ground ball home from a fairly tight angle. That pushed Bantry 2-7 to 0-10 ahead, and Aghada's misery was compounded before play resumed when the referee brandished a red card after spotting a misdemeanour by wing-back Kieran O'Connor.

In fairness, Aghada continued to battle earnestly, remaining in with a shout until wing-forward, Paul O'Rourke, landed the insurance score for Bantry in injury-time. The truth is, however, that Bantry always looked likely to prevail following Philip Clifford's second strike, with Damien O'Neill at midfield and Sean McCarthy at right half forward doing most to keep them on course in the closing stages. Ironically, the evening ended on a sour note for McCarthy when he picked up a second booking and received his marching orders with time rapidly running out. McCarthy was soon joined on the sideline by team-mate Andy O'Shea and Aghada's Mark Lewis after they were involved in an flare-up which marred a contest that was generally fought out in the correct spirit.

It didn't take Aghada very long to show that they were in the mood to provide Bantry with a stiff test, and ace marksman, Mark Lewis, converted three frees during the opening eight minutes to give them an ideal start. Sean McCarthy opened Bantry's account a minute later, but Aghada continued to dictate matters, with their half-back line in control, Pierce O'Neill and Nigel Berry both working effectively at midfield, and wing forward Dave Creedon and full forward James O'Connell, who proved quite a handful for Mark O'Connor, showing up well in attack.

Creedon kicked over a fine point to stretch the gap in the 10th. minute, but shortly afterwards Trevor O'Keeffe squandered the aforementioned chance to send Aghada's prospects soaring after centre-forward, Stephen O'Donoghue had put him clean through. Philip Clifford pulled a point back with a mighty kick from a free in the 13th. minute, but Bantry failed to raise a flag in the second-quarter while Aghada completed their first-half tally with another splendid score from Creedon and three more from frees by Mark Lewis.

As the first-half drew to a close, it was noticeable that Damien O'Neill was beginning to warm to his task at midfield for Bantry, and he really stamped his authority in this sector after the interval. The solid play from corner back, Tim O'Mahony, and Gerdi Barry, Andy O'Shea and substitute Eric Sheehan in a restructured half back line, also helped to galvanise Bantry's revival after Philip Clifford had severely dented Aghada's ambitions with his early second-half goal. Clifford could be deemed a mite fortunate to escape with just a booking following a reckless tackle which led to the departure of Aghada corner back, Darren Lee, about nine minutes into the second-half.

By then, Bantry had reduced the margin to the minimum, and Damien O'Neill underlined his class when lofting over a great score to level matters four minutes later. A Clifford point from a free inched Bantry ahead for the first time entering the last quarter, but Aghada stubbornly refused to wilt, and the teams were tied again after unerring free-taker Mark Lewis found the target with ten minutes to play. One sensed that the die was cast for Aghada, however, after Damien O'Neill launched an attack which resulted in the second goal from Clifford.

James O'Connell did manage to keep Aghada's hopes flickering when kicking a good point in reply, but a quick brace of scores from Sean McCarthy followed which more or less removed any lingering doubts about the outcome.

Scorers - Bantry Blues: P. Clifford 2-3, 0-2 frees, S. McCarthy 0-4, D. O'Shea, free, D. O'Neill and P. O'Rourke 0-1 each. Aghada: M. Lewis 0-8 frees, D. Creedon 0-2, T. O'Keeffe and J. O'Connell 0-1 each.

Bantry Blues: D. McAuley, T. O'Mahony, M. O'Connor, N. Twomey, A. O'Shea, G. Canty, G. Barry, D. O'Neill, J. Canty, S. O'Neill, S. McCarthy, P. O'Rourke, D. Barron, P. Clifford, D. O'Shea. Sub, E. Sheehan for J. Canty.

Aghada: S. O'Connell, D. Lee, E. O'Neill, W. O'Donoghue, K. O'Connor, R. Dwane, C. O'Brien, P. O'Neill, N. Berry, D. Creedon, S. O'Donoghue, J. O'Connor, T. O'Keeffe, J. O'Connell, M. Lewis. Subs, D. Devoy for Berry, K. O'Keeffe for Lee (injured).