Blake proud of Beale’s battling spirit as Leahy is left to rue path not taken

YOU can understand there being a bit of hoarseness in someone’s voice after a dramatic affair like last Sunday in Annascaul, but Lispole manager Damien O’Sullivan never doubted his side’s ability to win despite such a poor start.

“We always knew a comeback was in them and that they would put the work in to do it. If Castle had gotten a few extra scores with the start they had maybe we would have been gone but we didn’t panic and that was the important thing overall,” he said after last Sunday’s narrow win.

When asked about the contribution of players like substitute Kieran O’Sullivan and goalkeeper Conor Hanafin, the Lispole manager praised the character in his side.

“That was Kieran’s first game for the club this year and he made a massive impact, Conor is a great leader and a big part of what we do with his kick-outs working well for us at the moment. We’re delighted to be in a final, but there’s for and against having the extra week with Beale’s win as Brian Rayle is certain to be in America at that stage.”

Eoin Kelliher the Castlegregory manager meanwhile said that last Sunday was another learning curve for a young side like they have at present.

“I’m very proud of the effort the players put in, but Lispole were very strong in the tackle when they needed to be and I think being a Division 3 side (County League) told for them in the end as they have that higher standard of football.

“Our priority for the rest of the year has to be to get out of Division Four so we can get to that higher level to allow us to improve more.” BEALE manager Ian Blake was understandably proud of his players for the manner in which they achieved victory.

“Last week in our victory over Duagh the lads showed great character to come back after being down at half-time and they showed that character again today. It’s a great achievement to win out there today, we were down the two lads through suspension [Paul Horgan and Declan Bambury were sent off against Duagh], but the lads that came in there today did a great job.”

Blake pointed to the two points before half time as being vital to his teams second half performance.

“We missed some very handy chances in the first half so the two points before half time had a massive bearing on the game. Six points to three down would have been a different story to going in 6-5 down especially when we were against the hill in the second half.

“We had a good chat at halftime. We were honest with each other and in fairness the lads dug deep again, I couldn’t have asked for any more from them. The likes of Cormac Linnane who carried great ball, Darragh Buckley and James McMahon were superb for us today, but in fairness all of the lads really stood up when we needed them.”

An emotional Ballyduff manager John Paul Leahy was understandably upset after his sides loss and you could sense the disappointment in his voice as he reflected on what might have been.

“We had a missed goal chance in the first half and they took their goal chances in the second half. You could see that if we kicked the ball into Mikey Boyle that he was winning it, but we just didn’t do it often enough.

“I suppose the lads were trying to be patient, they didn’t want to give away the ball, but at the end of the day there was plenty space inside there and we didn’t capitalise on it.”

Leahy said that his side would now focus on the County League, with another local derby coming up against Moyvane in two weeks time.

“I suppose we weren’t supposed to even get out of our group in the championship so to make the semi-final is a bonus. The aim is to get out of Division 5 in the county league, everyone knows that they are a talented bunch, they shouldn’t be below there, they should really be in mid table in Division 3.

“We will regroup and look forward to playing Moyvane.”