Fermoy go down by narrowest of margins against Bandon to set up ‘must win’ game with Charleville
Bandon 0-17 Fermoy 0-16
BANDON had a single point to spare over Fermoy in a crucial Co Op Superstores Senior A HC at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday. The winners held a lead for most of the game. They had the perfect start with early points by Mark Sugrue, Ronan Crowley and Michael Cahalane as they led 0-3 to 0-0 after 6 minutes. Good play by Conor Calnan led to a Darren Crowley point. David Lardner opened Fermoy’s account with a free after 9 minutes.
Ronan Crowley and Padraigh de Roiste swapped a point before Martin Brennan with a good point cut the lead 0-5 to 0-3. Bandon were impressive in the half backline with Donagh Lucey and Jason Hickey outstanding. Padraigh de Roiste and Arlene Aherne with points forced level at 0-5 each
Adam Murphy had a very good point for Bandon. Fermoy worked well out of defence with the excellent Adam Creed levelling from long range. Bandon finished the half well. Mark Sugrue and Ronan Crowley followed with good points. Good play for Fermoy by Peter Murphy led to a great Martin Brennan point. In injury time Ronan Crowley with his 5th point of the half gave the winners an interval lead 0-10 to 0-8.
On the resumption Fermoy had two wides. Bandon replied with points by Charlie Long and Ronan Crowley as they moved 0-12 to 0-8 ahead. Good play by Donagh
Lucey and Charlie Dullea led to a fine point by Jason Hickey as the winners went five points clear by the 38th minute 0-14 to 0-9.
Fermoy made a number of positional changes – Padraigh de Roiste moved to centre back with Brian O’Sullivan going to wing forward. Jake Carr pointed a free and Brian O’Sullivan worked well for Martin Brennan who struck over on the run 0-14 to 0-11. Entering the final quarter Charlie Long pointed from a tight angle. Jake Carr replied from a free 0-15 to 0-12.
Carr pointed another free after a foul on Darragh Daly. Just when it looked as if Fermoy were going to take control it was Bandon who restored the three-point lead when Charlie Dullea worked well for Ronan Crowley who pointed. Liam Coleman with a free cut the deficit to two points. Michael Cahalane now in defence for Bandon made a vital clearance that found Ronan Crowley who finished the Carbery sides score 0-17 to 0-14. Good play by Shane Aherne led to a Padraigh De Roiste point.
In injury time a foul on Shane Aherne led to another Liam Coleman
pointed free that was followed by the final whistle. Bandon held out for a win. They have to play Mallow in their last game and a win would see them advance. Fermoy also need a win in their final game with Charleville if they are to progress.
BANDON: P Prendergast, A O’Connell, J O’Donovan, D Lucey, J Hickey 0-1, T Twohig, C Dullea, C Calnan 0-1, D Crowley 0-1, M
Cahalane 0-1f, A Murphy 0-1, M Sugrue 0-2, R Crowley 0-8 (2f), C Long 0-2. Subs: C O’Mahony for C Dullea, J Walsh for D Lucey.
FERMOY: C Quinn, S Shanahan, A Creed 0-2, J Scannell, B O’Sullivan, D Carroll, P Murphy, E Clancy, M Brennan 0-3, A Aherne 0-1, K Morrisson, P de Roiste 0-3, D Lardner 0-2f., S Aherne, J Carr 0-3f. Subs: D Daly for A Aherne, J Ring for D Lardner, L Coleman 0-2f for J Carr.
REFEREE: Dave Daly (Brian Dillons)