1998 County Team Path to the Final Player Profiles
This page is kindly sponsored by A.I.B.Bantry
AIB MUNSTER CLUB CAMPAIGN
Bantry took on the mighty Laune Rangers from Killorglin , Kerry in the quarter final of the 1998 Munster Championship played at a very wet Wolfe Tone Park. Eamon Horan From The Kerryman describes the action :
Laune Rangers had no answer
By Eamonn Horan
Bantry Blues far more positive and cohesive despite
a quagmire pitch
BANTRY BLUES 0-14 LAUNE RANGERS 0-7
OUTPACED and outplayed for most of the game, Laune Rangers had no answer to the power and poise of Bantry Blues in this grimly-contested AIB Munster Club Football Championship quarter-final at the Bantry venue on Sunday and, if anything, the Killorglin men could perhaps count themselves a shade fortunate not to have suffered an even heavier defeat.
On the other side of the coin, of course, Laune Rangers could justifiably argue that they should have been much closer than seven points to their rivals at the call of time in a game that was played on a quagmire-like pitch.
Indeed, the match was only a few minutes in progress when it had already cut up very badly. At times, it was more like a skating rink as players slithered all over the place and the overall result was that the quality of the football suffered as a consequence.
The Kerry champions led for one brief spell at the very outset when Tommy Byrne and Liam Hassett combined to put Mike Frank Russell through for a picture point after just 40 seconds.
Rangers soon moved Russell from left half-forward to full-forward in a swop with Pa O'Sullivan and while Russell remained a constant threat throughout, nevertheless he was kept on a very tight rein by the dynamic Mark O'Connor, who was a tower of strength in the winners' defence.
Bantry levelled with a Philip Clifford point from a 45 in the third minute and then, after Clifford was short with a free kick, Declan O'Shea gave the home side the lead with a sixth minute point and they never lost it.
Bantry, who played in a white strip instead of their traditional blue because of a clash of colours with their rivals, were on top in the centre of the field from an early stage where the ebullient Damien O'Neill and Michael Moran were very much in form.
The exchanges were torrid and tough and quite a few players were booked over the hour, but this was due in very large measure to the extremely trying underfoot conditions.
Indeed, there was talk of switching the game to Dunmanway on Friday, but after an inspection on Saturday morning it was decided to go ahead with it in Wolfe Tone Park. In the circumstances, one would have to question the wisdom of the decision to play the game in Bantry.
Killorglin had a few chances of equalising, but Russell was wide from play - he was crowded out by that vital inch or two of room when kicking - and then he was wide with a 45.
However, the Kerry side did eventually gain parity in the 14th minute when Paul Griffin and Billy O'Shea worked the ball through for wing-back John Lynch to shoot a lovely equaliser.
But Bantry, watched by a crowd of 5,214, were in full control in the second quarter and points from Jeremy Canty, Clifford, Sean McCarthy, Paul O'Rourke (2) and O'Shea saw them lead 0-8 to 0-3 after 27 minutes $= Pa O'Sullivan replying with a pointed free for the losers in the 20th minute, after Mark O'Connor had decked Russell.
Tommy Byrne - he had a pain-killing injection for a back injury before the game - was switched from midfield to centre half-back almost from the very start and in fairness to the big man he gradually warmed to the task and turned in a fine second-half display.
Rangers stayed in the hunt and a lovely Mike Hassett point after 29 minutes left them trailing by just four points at half-time (0-8 to 0-4).
In the second half, Rangers began to crowd the middle of the field in an effort to break Bantry's stranglehold hereabouts and it certainly helped bring the Kerrymen more into the game. Mike Hassett and Liam Hassett won some good ball around the middle, but somehow when it came to manufacturing scores the losers' forwards were hesitant and shot-shy.
Not so their rivals, who always looked volatile any time they moved on the ball. But it must be stated that Bantry's finish up front left something to be desired in that second half, considering the amount of the play they had in this period.
One would have to fear for them were they up against the great Laune Rangers' team of three years ago!
Rangers never flinched in their attempt to claw their way back into serious contention. Indeed, there were a few occasions when it looked as if they would succeed. Only a stern defence and superb goalkeeping by Des McAuley kept the opposition at bay.
With the score standing at 0-10 to 0-5, Mike Hassett centred to Russell and he let fly with a bullet-like drive which seemed to have goal written all over it, but somehow McAuley spread himself to make a fine save, six minutes into the half.
Eric Sheehan - what a game he had at left wing back for the winners $= increased Bantry's lead with a point before John Sheehan cleared off the goal-line following a free by Clifford.
Rangers pushed forward and Liam Hassett and Byrne worked the ball into Billy O'Shea's path, but goalman McAuley foiled the former Kerry player of a goal with another fine save.
Just at the three-quarter stage, Mark O'Connor engineered a fine movement out of defence and Canty added the finishing touch with a wonderfully struck point.
Rangers went a full 13 minutes without registering a score until Byrne set Pa McKenna up for a point in the 47th minute - McKenna just having replaced Paul Griffin.
Both sides had a succession of wides which demonstrated how much the ground conditions militated against proper ball control.
Declan O'Shea added to Bantry's tally with a pointed free after 53 minutes, but Russell replied with a magnificent point from a 45 a minute later.
Bantry kept pressing for all they were worth, but their finish was poor on a number of occasions.
Then, in the 57th minute, Rangers had a gilt-edged chance of reducing the deficit substantially when Byrne put Liam Hassett through. But the former Kerry captain dilly-dallied when he should have blasted to the net and, when he did shoot, right wing-back Graham Canty effected a memorable block. Hassett regained possession but his subsequent shot at goal was brilliantly saved by the razor-sharp McAuley and Rangers had lost their final chance of staying in the contest with any semblance of a chance.
Bantry's Moran, who gave a top-drawer display, rounded off the scoring with a classy point and, when McKenna initiated one final Rangers's sally, McAuley nonchalantly cut off Lynch's parting shot.
At the end of the day, there could be no disputing Bantry's all-round superiority: they were far more positive and cohesive than their rivals and they had a far better game plan.
But any praise for their prowess as a team has to be tempered with a reference to the fact that they did a lot of sloppy things when they had the game going firmly in their direction. Conditions may not have helped, but, nevertheless, such untidiness will hardly go unpunished as competition hots up.
The Cork champions had a `high-powered' warm-up in an adjoining field before the game and quite obviously there is a big hype about the team.
Eric Sheehan stood out at left half-back all through and Mark O'Connor, Graham Canty and Padraig O'Regan also excelled in defence for the winners. Michael Moran and Damien O'Neill kept the adrenalin flowing in the middle of the field for the full 60 minutes and played a major part in shaping this well-deserved success.
In attack, five of the six forwards scored, with outstanding performances coming from wing-forward Paul O'Rourke and the quick-silver full-forward line of Philip Clifford, Jeremy Canty and Declan O'Shea.
Rangers were naturally disappointed at the way the game went - they were certainly aggrieved that it went ahead at the Bantry venue because of prevailing underfoot conditions. But, on the day, they lacked that vital bit of sharpness and crucial finish in attack which would have made all the difference.
Over the hour, their leading lights were the magnificent John Lynch, John Sheehan, Tommy Byrne, Mike Hassett, Mike Frank Russell, Liam Hassett and, to a lesser degree, Billy O'Shea and substitute Pat McKenna.
Prior to the game, a minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect to teenager Sean Evans, of Killorglin, who died last week. Sean was son of former Laune Rangers' trainer, John Evans.
The scorers and teams
SCORERS: Bantry Blues-P Clifford (0-3, one 45, one free), J Canty (0-2), P O'Rourke (0-2), M Moran (0-2), D O'Shea (0-2 frees), D O'Neill (0-1), S McCarthy (0-1), E Sheehan (0-1).
Laune Rangers-MF Russell (0-3, one 45, one free), J Lynch (0-1), P O'Sullivan (0-1 free), M Hassett (0-1), P McKenna (0-1).
Bantry Blues: Des McAuley; Niall Twomey, Mark O'Connor, Eamon McCarthy; Graham Canty, Padraig O'Regan, Eric Sheehan; Damien O'Neill, Michael Moran; Sean McCarthy, Stephen Dineen, Paul O'Rourke; Philip Clifford, Jeremy Canty, Declan O'Shea. Sub: Andy O'Shea for Sean McCarthy (half time).
Laune Rangers: Peter Lyons; Pa Murphy, Adrian Hassett, Shane O'Sullivan; Mark O'Connor, John Sheehan, John Lynch; Tommy Byrne, Mike Hassett; Paul Griffin, Liam Hassett, Mike Frank Russell; Gerard Murphy, Pa O'Sullivan, Billy O'Shea. Subs: James O'Shea for Pa O'Sullivan (42 mins); Pat McKenna for Griffin (45 mins).
Referee: Kevin Walsh (Clare).
Brendan Larkin of The Examiner wrote:
Bantry Blues' bandwagon just keeps on rolling
by Brendan Larkin
IN their dressingroom at Pairc Uí Chaoimh after they had won the Cork county title for
the second time, Bantry team coach Terry O'Neill called for the same commitment and effort
from his charges for the Munster Club championship.
Yesterday, on home soil, O'Neill got his answer in no uncertain manner from a team that
glided over the greasy underfoot conditions, to produce another magnificent display.
Magnanimous in defeat, Rangers coach John Griffin came to the Bantry dressingroom to
heartily congratulate the Blues on their well-deserved victory.
"Three years ago we launched our campaign for Munster and All-Ireland honours on this
very pitch. It was a glorious chapter in our history lads, and I've no doubt that Bantry
can go on and emulate that feat after such a display today."
Griffin heaped praise on the home side when he said Bantry were simply brilliant. It was a
fantastic team performance and we had no answer to them really. "Having watched them
in a number of their games this year, I knew they had this kind of display in them. It was
fantastic really and we simply had no answer to them.
"Naturally we are very disappointed. We came down here with high hopes but never got
going. Over the past three months we haven't been firing and it's difficult to put a
finger on why we have slipped back so far.
Understandably, Bantry coach Terry O'Neill was very pleased with his side's display.
"When we met this morning we made up our minds that nothing was going to beat us out
there today.
"We did the business in a very workmanlike fashion and I'm very pleased with the
result.
"I'm not one to single out players for special mention, but Des McAuley's saves were
some of the best you'll ever see".
1998 County Team Path to the Final Player Profiles
The semi final was against Moyle rovers, the Tipperary champions
"Rovers send bookies packing"
Moyle Rovers 1-7 Bantry Blues 0-7by Brendan Larkin of The Examiner
TOTALLY written off by the bookies, Moyle Rovers tore the formbook to shreds at Sam Maguire Park, Dunmanway, yesterday, where they scored a memorable victory over Bantry Blues in the semi-final of the AIB Munster Club senior football championship.
This was the Rovers greatest day in their long and chequered history, and how they celebrated their one-goal victory. Make no mistake about it, they thoroughly deserved their success, and it might have been more had they not wasted numerous chances, particularly in the first-half. Not for the first time the Rovers owed much to the brilliance of their inter-county men, Declan Browne and Derry Foley. Browne had accounted for all of his side's six points up to the time of their goal in the 53rd-minute, while Man-of-the-Match Foley, when moved to partner Jimmy Dunne at midfield early in the game, ensured his side won this vital sector from the Bantry pair of Damien O'Neill and Michael Moran.
The midfield battle was always going to be the crucial area, and there can be no denying that Rovers won it hands down. To be fair to O'Neill and Moran, they carried injuries into the game, but that in no way detracts from the dominance of Foley and Dunne. There was an aggression by the Tipperary champions that Bantry on the day couldn't match.
Moyle chased every ball as if their lives depended on it. They always seemed to have two and three players to Bantry's one when in possession, and in the final analysis it was their never-say-die attitude when reduced to 14 men with quarter of an hour to go, that won them the contest. This was a heartbreaking defeat for Bantry. Apart from the second-quarter, during which they kicked over three points in a row to lead 0-6 to 0-3 at half-time, they never reached the same heights as that of the Cork county final and the Munster quarter-final against Laune Rangers, and that is what hurt them most.
On a good pitch and before an estimated crowd over of 3,000, there was little to choose between both sides in the opening 10 minutes, at the end of which they were tied at 0-2 apiece, the two Declans, O'Shea and Browne accounting for the scores. The ploy of playing only two in the full-forward line didn't quite work for the Rovers, particularly in the first-half. Done to allow Declan Browne space, Bantry's Mark O'Connor did a fine marking job on him, containing the Tipperary man to just two points from play.Moyle Rovers; cause wasn't helped by a reoccurrence of a knee injury to Johnny Owens, who was taken off half way through that first-half, and when Bantry began to play something like their old form, their half-time lead of 0-6 to 0-3 was deserved.
Indeed it might have been at least three points greater but for a fantastic save by Rovers 'keeper Seamus Delahunty, who managed to deflect Philip Clifford's piledriver over the bar Inexplicably Bantry took O'Connor off Browne for the second-half and this allowed the Rovers star almost the freedom of the park. With Derry Foley and Jimmy Dunne lording it at midfield, Browne had the deficit down to the minimum after 36 minutes with two excellent points.
Bantry were struggling to come with incessant Rovers pressure and only some desperate defending by Padraig O'Regan and Andy O'Shea kept them at bay. A point by Philip Clifford from a free in the 47th minute Bantry's first score since the 25th minute of the first-half eased the pressure on the Cork champions, and when the Rovers had Robbie Boland sent off for a second bookable offence, it was expected that Bantry would go on to claim a final place. The magnificent Declan Browne fed Derry Foley with a pass 40 metres from the Bantry goal. Foley skipped past a couple of defenders before unleashing a piledriver that Des McAuley could only parry, and the in-rushing Donal Foley was left with an empty net.
Moyle Rovers were rampant, and even corner-back Sean McGrath got in on the scoring act with a point in the 56th-minute to stretch his side's lead to three. Bantry threw everything at the Rovers in those closing minutes, but a resolute Rovers defence in which team captain Liam Cronin, Michael McGrath and Tom Wall were outstanding, held firm for a famous victory.
Scorers - Moyle Rovers D. Browne 0-6 (0-3 frees)' Donal Foley 1-0; S. McGrath 0-1. Bantry: D.O'Shea, J. Canty, P. Clifford 0-2 each. S. McCarthy 0-1.
MOYLE ROVERS :S. Delahunty; S. McGrath, L. Cronin, R. Boland; T. Lane, M. McGrath, K. O'Connor; J. Owens, J. Dunne; N. Wall, Derry Foley, G. Hughes; P. Boland. Donal Foley, D. Browne. Subs. J. Williams for Owens; J. Shanahan for Hughes; J. Owens for McGrath.
BANTRY: D. McAuley; N.Twomey, M. O'Connor, E. McCarthy; G. Canty, P. O'Regan, A. O'Shea; D. O'Neill, M. Moran; S. McCarthy, S. Dineen, P. O'Rourke; P. Clifford, J. Canty, D. O'Shea. Sub. E. Sheehan for McCarthy.Referee: M. Ryan (Limerick)
1998 County Team Path to the Final Player Profiles
 |
 |
 |
 |
Created and Designed by Des McAuley
Email Des