Fermoy minors denied county title after Bandon stage remarkable comeback

Dawson get through to finish to the net 1-2 to no score. Bandon who kicked some very bad wides all through the first half finally got their account up and running a minute later when Adam Murphy kicked over a great point from a sideline kick.

However the Fermoy challenge continued to look very threatening with Gary Mahon, Ronan Morrisson, Dale Dawson, Eoin Lacey and Daniel O’Flynn playing leading roles. Over the next couple of minutes both teams traded a pointed free before good work by Eoin Lacey saw Daniel O’Flynn cut through the heart of the Bandon defence to score a great point in the 20th minute 1-4 to 0-2. Bandon stayed in touch when Adam Murphy pointed a free while in their next attack a timely interception by Fermoy’s corner back Ross O’Sullivan denied the Carbery outfit a chance at goal. Just before the half time whistle Mark O’Regan with a free narrowed the deficit to 1-4 to 0-4.

On the changeover the Bandon challenge still failed to ignite during the third quarter as they continued to squander many chances. Instead it was Fermoy that took full advantage. Dale Dawson kicked over an early free before Daniel O’Flynn was on hand to score their second goal in the 34th minute when a Bandon free out of their full backline went astray with Eoin Lacey setting up O’Flynn who made no mistake. At the other end Bandon missed a chance to cancel out the Fermoy goal soon after when a delivery by Mark O’Regan struck the upright and was cleared to safety.

At this stage it was all Fermoy and in the 39th minute Eoin Lacey got inside the Bandon rearguard to score his sides third goal 3-5 to 0-4 and there seemed no way back for Bandon with Fermoy holding the upperhand in key sectors. Amazingly in the last quarter Bandon enjoyed their best spell. In the 44th minute they gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Eoin Nolan was on hand to scramble a goal to the net after Gavin O’Connell’s initial shot at goal was well saved by the Fermoy keeper Jack Gallagher. Fermoy’s response was immediate with second half substitute Dara McCarthy making an immediate impact when he pointed under pressure before the impressive Dale Dawson with a fine effort from a difficult angle restored a comfortable lead of 3-7 to 1-4 lead.

However the Bandon challenge was slowly growing in stature with Jordan Fenton-Lehane, David Behan, Joseph O’Mahony, Mark O’Regan, Adam Murphy and Eoin O’Sullivan playing leading roles in their sides revival. Gavin O’Connell had their first point from play before David Behan who was now operating at corner forward kicked to the net from a very tight angle in the 51st minute 3-7 to 2-5. Further pressure saw Mark O’Regan add another point from a free before the West Cork side reduced the deficit to just a point when Jordan Fenton-Lehane’s delivery across the square was deflected into the net 3-7 to 3-6.

In a thrilling finish Fermoy found it very hard to make headway as it was Bandon that surged forward at every given opportunity. In the 58th minute the winners took the lead for the first time when Adam Murphy cut through and kicked an unstoppable shot to the roof of the Fermoy net. In stoppage time Mark O’Regan with a pointed free sealed the issue for Bandon with a point.

After the game John Purcell Chairman Rebel Og Board presented the cup to the winning captain Joseph O’Mahony.