First half goals set Buttevant on their way

Buttevant 4-6 Clyda Rovers 0-14

The saying that goals win matches was certainly the case for Buttevant in the O’Sullivan/ Lewis (Mitchelstown) sponsored U-21 BFC contest at Mitchelstown on Friday night when four goals during the opening half saw them emerge victors over Clyda Rovers.

The opening stages saw Clyda Rovers start in a very positive mood and they seemed in a good position when William Cronin, Colin Kelly and Sean O’Callaghan with well taken points moved them 0-3 to no score in front by the 7th minute.

However as the half went on Buttevant quickly got to grips. Paddy Behan, Michael Walsh and Brian Flynn excelled in the half back line while in attack Gavin Carey, Niall Crowley, Ryan Fowley and the Lenahan brothers also impressed.

In the 9th minute a great clearance out of defence by Paddy Behan set up Ryan Fowley who soloed through and scored a cracking goal. Moments later Mark Lenahan made it 2-0 to 0-3 when he netted from close range. At the other end Clyda Rovers steadied the ship and they missed a goal scoring opportunity when William Cronin had his effort at goal saved by the Buttevant keeper Diarmuid Doody.

Nevertheless Buttevant continued to show the greater urgency up front and in the 19th minute a great movement involving Brian Flynn, and Niall Crowley saw Ryan Fowley cut in front the flank and finish to the net from a very tight angle.

Clyda Rovers regrouped well as the half went on. Their defence tightened up greatly and some well taken scores by Colin Kelly (2) Conor Corbett and Ben O’Connor brought them right back into the contest when trailing 3-3 to 0-7. In the closing moments Buttevant struck for another goal when Ryan Fowley, Niall Crowley, Shane O’Callaghan and Jamie Copps were heavily involved when Mark Lenahan finished to the top corner of the Rovers net 4-3 to 0-7.

Clyda Rovers battled back well in injury time and a point each by Colin Kelly and William Cronin left them 4-3 to 0-9 adrift at the interval.

On the changeover Clyda Rovers were quick off the mark. From the throw in the hardworking David Walsh set up Colin Kelly for a point. Conor Corbett followed with a point that reduced the margin to 4-3 to 0-11.

Try as they might the Mourneabbey side were unable to close the gap any further with the Buttevant keeper Diarmuid Doody making at least three great saves in this half to keep their opponents at bay. Instead it was an evenly balanced Buttevant side that maintained a sizeable lead when Denis O’Sullivan, Mark and Kevin Lenahan were on target by the end of the third quarter 4-6 to 0-11.

Clyda Rovers who had some good displays by Sean Kelly, Ben O’Connor, David Walsh, Sean O’Callaghan, Colin Kelly, Conor Corbett and William Cronin battled to the end. They added three more points before the final whistle by Conor Corbett, Eoin and David Walsh but in the end there was no denying Buttevant their victory in their round 2 series championship.

BUTTEVANT: D Doody 0-1f, C Stanners, J O’Riordan, S O’Connor, P Behan, M Walsh, B Flynn, N Crowley, G Carey, S O’Callaghan, R Fowley 2-1, K Lenahan 0-1, J Copps, M Lenahan 2-2, D O’Sullivan 0-1. Subs: J O’Brien for S O’Callaghan, N O’Riordan for C Stanners, C Cremin for J O’Brien (black card).

CLYDA ROVERS: E Sheehan, D Fitzpatrick, S Kelly, G O’Hanlon, A Walsh, B O’Connor 0-1, G O’Doherty, D Walsh 0-1, S O’Callaghan 0-1, A Jack, C Corbett 0-3, C Kelly 0-5, M O’Sullivan, W Cronin 0-2 (1f), D Cronin. Subs: E Walsh 0-1 for M O’Sullivan, L Brophy for D Cronin, S Browne for G Doherty.

REFEREE: PJ Aherne (Fermoy)