Buttevant see off Kanturk to reach Rebel Og MAFL final

Buttevant 6-7 Kanturk 2-11

FIVE goals in the opening half paved the way for Buttevant to overcome Kanturk on Thursday evening in the Rebel Og North MAFL semi-final at Buttevant.

The winners controlled matters in the first half. In the fifth minute Mark Lenahan goaled. Three minutes later good play by Michael O’Neill led to a well taken point by Conor Hanlon. Kanturk created a few chances but were off target. The winners ability to use the short passing helped them as they created some good chances. Mark Lenahan goaled after a poor kickout. Good play by Dylan McAuliffe led to a second Mark Lenahan goal. Kyle Trimm soloed through and pointed.

In the 14th minute Mark Lenahan placed Conor Hanlon who pointed and opened up a lead 2-3 to 0-0. Alan Walsh pointed two frees for Kanturk by the 20th minute. Michael O’Neill was put through on goal but was denied by a splendid save by Sean Hopkins. In the space of four minutes Buttevant had two goals by Conor Hanlon and Billy Keane as they built up a commanding lead 5-3 to 0-2.

Michael O’Neill added a point for the home side. Good play for Kanturk by Colin Walsh, Alan Walsh and Gavin Keeneghan led to a brilliant point by Conor O’Donoghue. In the 27th minute Sam Hopkins worked well for Alan Walsh who kicked over. In the closing moments Sam Hopkins and Michael O’Neill swapped a point as Buttevant led at the break 5-5 to 0-5.

There was no way back for Kanturk in the second half. The winners backs defended well with Paddy Behan Michael Walsh and Kyle Trimm very effective. The Duhallow side improved greatly and they had an early goal by Gavin Keeneghan. Sam Hopkins pointed a free in the 41st minute with Conor O’Donoghue adding a point a minute later to make it 5-5 to 1-7.

It took Buttevant until the 47th minute to score in this half by Mark Lenahan. Sam Hopkins added a pointed free and Gavin Keeneghan with a fine point cut the lead 5-6 to 1-9. Mark Lenahan added another free with Billy Keane completing the winners tally with a 56th minute goal. Kanturk battled to the end. Their substitutes made a big difference. Conor O’Donoghue pointed with Colin Walsh having a late goal after good play by Brian O’Sullivan and Tom Walsh. In injury time Conor O’Donoghue with his fourth point completed the scoring.

Buttevant will now meet Duairgle

REFEREE: John O’Brien (Ballygiblin) Gaels in the final.

G Carey, P O’Keeffe, P Behan, C McCarthy, K Trimm 0-1, M Walsh, C Cremin, D McAuliffe, S O’Callaghan, J O’Brien, M O’Neill 0-2, S Walsh, B Keane 2-0, M Lenahan 3-2 (0-1f), C Hanlon 1-2. Subs: W O’Keeffe for C McCarthy, C Stanners for P O’Keeffe, C McCarthy for M Lenahan, P O’Keeffe for S Walsh.

KANTURK: S Hopkins, A Murphy, J Moylan, P Leahy, T Walsh, B O’Sullivan, A McAuliffe, G Keeneghan 1-1, A Walsh 0-3 (2f), S Hopkins 0-3, C O’Sullivan, C O’Donoghue 0-4, J Murphy, D Grey, C Walsh 1-0. Subs: G Bucinkas for J Murphy, C Vaughan for A Murphy, B Healy for D Grey, C Carroll for A McAuliffe.

REFEREE: Eoin Walsh (Dromina)