O’Connor makes sure of it for Fermoy

COUNTY PIFC QUARTER-FINAL

Fermoy 2-9 Bantry Blues 1-9

FERMOY who were premier intermediate football defeated finalists in 2016 will be happy that they are getting closer to securing a county title at that level this season.

Their victory over Bantry on Sunday afternoon last qualifies them for a semi-final encounter with Naomh Abán and they possibly have the ability to surmount that hurdle.

The north Cork side always appeared to have the ability to come out on top in last Sunday’s contest but they were never secure. They could have faced an intimidating challenge if either of two goal scoring opportunities created by Bantry star Ruairi Deane had been capitalised on by the attack.

Having weathered that early storm Fermoy certainly had the upper hand territorially, but they too found it hard to put scores on the board. They eventually opened up their account in the ninth minute when Ruairi O’Hagan drove the football between the uprights from a free and they followed with two minors from play scored by Shane Ahern and O’Hagan.

Bantry did not open their account until the 19th minute when Ruairí Deane converted a free but it not seem to indicate an improvement in their fortunes. Fermoy immediately responded and a good movement involving Padraig Clancy, Kieran Morrison and Pádraig De Roíste ended with the latter sending the football between the uprights.

Fermoy failed to press on following same and Bantry’s fortunes improved as they scored three additional points before the break. Arthur Coakley was on target in the 24th minute while Deane and David Daly raised white flags in the time added on period.

Fermoy’s only reply in that period was a Darragh O’Carroll point in the 28th minute so the minimum separated the sides at the break. Fermoy must have felt disappointed to only be a point ahead by the minimum and they certainly bemoaned their six wides in the first half.

The north Cork side had an additional reason for concern when the action resumed when Arthur Coakley kicked an equalising point for Bantry in the 32nd minute, the pressure was eased three minutes later however when a quick delivery from Kieran Morrison found Martin Brennan inside the Bantry full-back line and he promptly dispatched the football to the net.

The north Cork side produced a very impressive period following that boost and they raised three white flags, all following good movements. Carroll, McEvoy and O’Hagan all combined well before the latter drove the football between the uprights in the 40th minute.

Shane Ahern, Pádraig De Róiste, O’Hagan and Kieran Morrison were involved when Morrison scored point number seven in the 42nd minute, while Brennan created the opening for O’Hagan to raise another white flag as the end of the third quarter approached.

Fermoy leading 1-8 to 0-5 appeared to be leading for a comfortable victory but Bantry are a club who never go down without a fight. Points from Kevin Casey and Shane McSweeney kept the west Cork men within striking distance but a Shane Ahern point for Fermoy suggested that it was going to be their day.

They conceded a penalty in the 59th minute so they were again under pressure when Arthur Coakley’s goal from same reduced the arrears to two points. The Fermoy kick-out was cleanly fielded by Padraig De Róiste however and his quick delivery to Tomás Clancy ensured that Bantry were on the back foot.

His delivery found Alan O’Connor who slotted home his sides second major so all concerned with Fermoy could breathe easily. Bantry got two points in the time added on period, but Fermoy secured a deserved victory.

FERMOY: Liam Coleman, Padraig Clancy, Jeffery Daly, Eoin Clancy, Peter Murphy, Darragh O’Carroll (0-1), Alan Baragry, Tomás Clancy, Jack Hutchings, Shane Ahern (0-2), Ruairi Ó Hagan (0-4, 2f), Rory McEvoy, Kevin Morrison (0-1), Padraig De Roíste (0-1), Martin Brennan (1-0) Subs: Dale Dawson for Hutchings (inj), 40, Danie O’Flynn for McEvoy, 49, Ronan Morrison for Baragry, 51, Arlen Ahern for S Ahern, 54, Alan O’Connor (1-0) for K Morrison, 56

BANTRY BLUES: Donal Casey, Kevin Coakley, Ronan O’Mahony, Eoghan O’Shea, Billy Foley, Stephen Coughlan, Shane O’Neill, Ruairi Deane (0-2), Sean O’Leary, Kevin Casey (0-1), Alex Hamilton, David Daly (0-1), Shane McSweeney (0-1), Arthur Coakley (1-3 1 pen, 2f), Shane Murray Subs: Joe Downey for Hamilton, 44, Tim Foley (0-1) for Murray, 51

REFEREE: John Ryan (Macroom)