TWO superb goals by Cork senior Philip Clifford which were secured at vital stages in last Saturday evening’s senior football championship game ensured that Bantry would surmount the Na Piarsaigh challenge and qualify for a semi-final encounter with the West Cork divisional side, Carbery. The conditions were excellent in Carrigadrohid on Saturday for this senior football championship quarter final encounter and it was clear from the throw-in that the eventual winners, Bantry, meant business.

They scored the first of their goals in the second minute when centre half forward Sean McCarthy found the net following an excellent movement involving four other Bantry players and they stayed very much on the offensive following that early boost.

They had added five points to their second minute goal before Na Piarsaigh opened their account and it appeared that they were heading for a landslide victory.

The city side did get a point back and they were thrown a lifeline three minutes later when a needless penalty, conceded by the Bantry defence, was conceded by Colin O’Sullivan in expert fashion.

Bantry were still in a comfortable position at the break however, with Philip Clifford’s first goal in the 28th minute significantly consolidating their position.

One worrying factor for the West Cork side was the lack of mobility in their defence which looked very vulnerable on a few occasions. The Bantry defence was even more exposed in the second period when Na Piarsaigh’s new midfield formation ensured that Bantry’s excellent mid-field duo, Graham Canty and Damien O’Neill did not enjoy a dominance.

The Na Piarsaigh forwards as a consequence, saw more of the ball and the Bantry lead was reduced slowly. Only two points separated the sides with four minutes of play remaining but the in-form Clifford took the pressure off Bantry when his second goal put the game out of Na Piarsaigh’s reach.

Bantry went on the offensive right from the throw-in and their first attack could have resulted in a goal. Philip Clifford was unlucky to see his effort striking the upright and being cleared but Bantry did not have long to wait for a major.

It was secured in the second minute when centre half forward Sean McCarthy applied the finishing touches to an excellent movement. At centre field Graham Canty cleverly broke a ball down to his mid field colleague, Damien O’Neill and Philip Clifford and Paul O’Rourke subsequently handled before it reached Sean McCarthy who was in a goal scoring position.

Sean did not squander this gilt edged scoring opportunity when he gave the Na Piarsaigh goalkeeper no chance so Bantry’s stock soared.

The Bantry attack saw plenty ball during that early stage as Damien O’Neill and particularly Graham Canty were performing excellently at centre field.

Jeremy Canty and Paul O’Rourke scored points from play while Philip Clifford twice and Graham Canty were on target from frees so Bantry were in a very strong position.

David Gardiner opened Na Piarsaigh’s account when he scored a point in the 14th minute and Colin O’Sullivan’s goal from a penalty improved their position further. Both sides then scored two more points when Graham Casey and John Gardiner were on target for Na Piarsaigh while Philip Clifford and Damien O’Neill raised the white flags for Bantry so the latter were four points ahead as half time approached.

The West Cork side got a significant boost when a good bout of combined play, involving Paul O’Rourke and Philip Clifford ended with Clifford sending a powerful drive to the Na Piarsaigh net.

Bantry had a significant cushion facing the second period and victory for them looked inevitable as players like Graham Canty, Damien O’Neill, Paul Clifford and Paul O’Rourke were posing enormous problems.

Na Piarsaigh re-arranged their forces with good effect at the break, however and their second half mid field pairing of Sean McLoughlin and substitute Alan Daly brought about some improvement in that vital sector.

Their first half midfielders, the Gardiner brothers, David and John, also made their presence felt when they moved into the attack and Na Piarsaigh’s position greatly improved as the second half progressed.

Pointed frees by Graham Casey reduced the arrears but their attempted fight back could have come to an abrupt end when Bantry came close to scoring another goal. Philip Clifford was again the player involved but this time his effort at securing a major struck the cross bar and was cleared so Na Piarsaigh breathed a sigh of relief.

A Paul O’Rourke point did increase Bantry’s lead but Na Piarsaigh then exploited their shortcomings in defence when good approach work by Setanta O hAilpin ended with John Gardiner finding the Bantry net. Na Piarsaigh reduced the arrears further when both John and David Gardiner raised white flags so the minimum separated the sides as the final quarter approached.

Bantry managed to return to the attack and points by Shane O’Neill and Paul O’Rourke gained some respite for them but Na Piarsaigh stayed in touch when Graham Casey got a point back in the 51st minute.

The game was now very delicately poised and the Bantry citadel had a couple of narrow escapes as the seconds ticked away.

Bantry were fortunate, however, to have a player like Philip Clifford in their ranks and his goal finished the Na Piarsaigh challenge. Damien O’Neill gained possession at centre field before sending Philip Clifford on his way with only the goalkeeper to beat and as the hapless keeper advanced, the talented attacker confidently lobbed the ball over his head.

Bantry were now clearly on their way to a county championship semi-final and a Sean McCarthy point increased their lead before Colin O’Sullivan scored a consolation point for Na Piarsaigh in the final seconds.

Overall, last Saturday’s encounter produced an entertaining hour’s football and this Bantry team has some exceptionally good footballers in its ranks. However, their defensive play will have to improve enormously if they hope to capture a third senior football crown.

Scorers: Bantry: P. Clifford 2-3; S. McCarthy 1-1; P. O’Rourke 0-3; G. Canty 0-1; D. O’Neill, J. Canty and S. O’Neill 0-1 each. Na Piarsaigh: J. Gardiner 1-2; C. O’Sullivan 1-1; G. Casey 0-4; D. Gardiner 0-2.

Bantry: Alan Farrelly, Timmy O’Mahony, Eamon McCarthy, Niall Twomey, Padraig Cremin, Mark O’Connor, Padraig O’Regan. Graham Canty, Damien O’Neill, Eric Sheehan, Sean McCarthy, Paul O’Rourke, Declan Barron, Philip Clifford, Jeremy Canty. Sub. Shane O’Neill for Jeremy Canty.

Na Piarsaigh: Robert Dalton, Gearoid Cotter, Richard O’Byrne, Robert Healy, Gearoid Fitzgerald, Darren Mannix, Sean Gutheen, John Gardiner, David Gardiner, Sean McLoughlin, Stephen O’Sullivan, Roy Sweeney, Graham Casey, Colin O’Sullivan, Setanta O hAilpin. Subs.: Shane O’Sullivan for Richard Byrne; Alan Daly for Roy Sweeney; Steve Glasgow for Sean Gutheen; Conor Fitzgerald for Stephen O’Sullivan; Gearoid Daly for Graham Casey.

Referee Paul Higgins, Ballincollig.