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Southern Star 6th August 2008
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Bandon are South West Champions
Bandon 1-13
Tadhg MacCarthaigh 0-11
Bandon are the West Cork Junior A football champions for 2008 and for the second year in a row.
Excellent team captain Kevin Walsh mentioned about buses arriving in his acceptance speech, in another context, but here we now are after waiting eighteen years for one,and two come along together.
Is it too soon to ask has the sleeping giant of West Cork football finally awoken from it's slumber?
Two West Cork Junior A football championships in a row, two West Cork U21 football titles in four years from three finals, a West Cork and County Minor football championship in 2005.
No-one will know better than excellent Coach seamus mcCarthy that surely now is the time to push on for that
County Junior A football title that has eluded the club since 1975.
Bandon won on a scoreline of 1.13 to 0.11 with the half-time score deadlocked at 0.06 points each.
Bandon were the better team but were slightly flattered by the final score as the wides tally was three
to Bandon and eleven to a very capable and sporting Caheragh outfit.
The Westerners wont begrudge Bandon their victory as they have been our nemesis in the West Cork championship
for many years.
It was evident all through this championship that Bandon have learned from their experience of last year and
are becoming a very difficult team to beat, with an excellent defence.
Credit the forwards in this final though as they have seldom played better as unit than over the last two games.
Darren Crowley gave an exceptional performance scoring four points from play and he has been truly
inspirational all season. He improves with every outing, scoring freely with both feet and is becoming a real leader on the pitch.
Best on the night were team Captain Kevin Walsh who led by example, Alan Johnson who was outstanding
when the need was greatest together with James o'Donovan, James Walsh, Robert Moloney had his best game since his U21 exploits, and Eoin O'Donovan and John O'Connell. David Crowley had a very good second half.
A big well done to the back room team, Seamus McCarthy, John Collis, Jimmy Gabriel and Colm Ahern, and to Ray Payne
and Danny Lynch for their work behind the scenes.
Scorers for Bandon: R Moloney 0-5 (0-3f), D Crowley 0-4, R Milner 1-0, A Johnson, J O'Connell 0-2 each.
Scorers for Tadhg Mac Carthaigh: C O'Driscoll 0-7 (0-4f), K O'Driscoll 0-2, T Deasy, C O'Sullivan (f) 0-1 each.
BANDON: P Prendergast; J Walsh, J O'Donovan, N Connor; K Walsh, M Quirke, David Crowley; J Milner, K Lucey; Darren Crowley, A Johnson, R Moloney; J O'Connell, R Milner, E O'Donovan. Subs: Aherne for K Walsh, T O'Donoghue for J Milner.
TADHG MAC CARTHAIGH: A Collins; D Harring-ton, S O'Sullivan, J Ryan; T Herlihy, D Daly, D Mc¬Carthy; T Deasy, M Barrett; S O'Driscoll, K O'Driscoll, K Barrett; C O'Sullivan, S Murray, C O'Driscoll. Subs: J Herlihy for S O'Driscoll, W O'Sullivan for D Harrington, D O'Brien for K Barrett.
Referee: Pat Lawton, Barryroe.
St. Brogans
Congratulations to James McSweeney and Padraig o'Leary who were on the Cork U14 hurling team that won the Tony
Forristal Hurling Tournament played in Waterford over the week-end.This keenly contested competition is effectively
the All-Ireland for this age group.
Well done also to team Selector Michael Beecher from the Deise for helping Cork to win the tournament for the first
time in eight years and only the third time overall.
We wish Mick and another Bandon GAA man ex-Garda Jim O'Riordan the very best of luck on Sunday next.No-one deserves to see Waterford win an All-Ireland more,and certainly they have followed the Deise through thick and thin and are true supporters.
Hopefully on Sunday they will see them finally reach the promised land.
We extend similar good wishes to anyone at all from Tyrone living in Bandon for the other final.
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St. Brogan's GAA Club Notes - Southern Star 6th August 2008
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THE under 14 foot¬ballers lost to Valley Rovers in the county semi-final in Ballinspit-tle on Saturday, 23rd August.
The match was played in dreadful weather and the Innishannon boys were able to adapt to the conditions better. This has been a long season for these players and they have turned in so many excellent performances during the cam¬paign. There are still a few unplayed league matches to complete and then the GAA season will commence in the schools.
The under-12 hurlers sur¬rendered their West Cork title to Newcestown in Ballineen on Monday, 1st September. This was played on a mini-league basis with Kilbrittain also in their group. Some local brag¬ging rights were earned the previous Thursday when Bro¬gan's beat Kilbrittain but the last word was definitely had by Newcestown who were very impressive in the final match of the series.
Congratulations to James McSweeney and Padraig O'Leary who played in the vic¬torious Cork under-14 hurling team over the last weekend of August. Competition for places at this age group is fierce and great credit is due to this very talented pair. We look forward to seeing them involved with the county teams for years to come.
A note of support also to Ban-don adopted Mick Beecher who was a selector for the Cork side. Mick, of course, was an ex-Waterford inter-county play¬er but wore his Cork shirt with pride over the week-end. The least we can do is wish his other team well against Kilkenny on Sunday.
The under 16 footballers played Bantry in the West Cork quarter-final on Tuesday, 2nd September, and won a tremen¬dously exciting game by just one point. Good luck to them in their next match and also their upcoming West Cork final hurl¬ing match against Kilbrittain. The under-8 football team returned to winning ways against Ballinhassig on Thurs¬day, 28th August, and the under-10 hurlers put up a bril¬liant performance before even¬tually losing to Dunmanway the previous night. This was played in front of a fine atten¬dance and all were impressed by the skills on display.
Training for 6-10 year olds continues on Wednesdays and we are very pleased with the attendance on these nights. New players are always welcome and should come along.
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Bandon Boys Hurrah! - JFC - Cois Farraige - Southern Star 06-09-08
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Bandon 1-13
Tadhg MacCarthaigh 0-11
WITH the teams level on
seven occasions during
the first fifty minutes
one might get the
impression that this
South West junior A football final in the Sam
Maguire Park on Saturday evening last, was a
rip-roaring contest
between the top two
teams in the grade.
However, while the entertainment value was reasonable, this clash was far from the thriller we expected. Whether it was the unusual starting time and the decision to play this important final on a Saturday, or whether it was the small crowd, probably the smallest we have ever seen at a junior A final, or whether it was the complete lack of atmosphere for most of the way, but this was a most disappointing contest.
No fault to Bandon who emerged from a first quarter slumber to gradually take control, eventually leaving no doubt as to the masters in the last quarter.
Once they got the feel for the game after the opening quarter Bandon began to show a huge appetite for victory. Chasing, harassing, blocking and annoying, they totally knocked MacCarthaighs out of their rhythm and the Caher-agh side, after their very bright opening and plenty honest endeavour, had little to offer as the game drew to a conclusion. The clinching goal didn't arrive until the 55th minute but Bandon were shaping as clear winners by then and were bidding fair to retain the Mick McCarthy Cup for the second year in a row.
The football on show was nothing to write home about and the first quarter saw Bandon plagued with unexpected nerves, while Caheragh, who went two points clear, dominated early but showed far to much haste in their play. The second quarter showed a gradual improvement in play, especially from Bandon who upped their workrate considerably, and it was no surprise when the teams retired on level terms.
RELYING
Bandon had the advantage of a freshening breeze in the second half but there was nothing between the sides on the score-board as they were again level at the three-quarter mark. It was noticeable that Caheragh were relying to a great extent on Colm O'Driscoll for scores, and he kicked some sweet points, but in the last quarter he was forced to move out from the goal area to seek possession and this fell into Bandon's lap as he was too far out from goal to threaten the scoreboard.
Slowly but surely the Bandon defence began to choke the life out of the Caheragh attack as the game drew to a conclusion and, at the other end of the pitch, the Bandon forwards were threatening much more as a unit. A few substitutions and positional changes helped Bandon's cause greatly in the closing sequences and they were two points to the good, looking all over winners, when Richard Milner added to his goal-scoring reputation by raising the only green flag of the game five minutes from time.
There was no way back for Caheragh after that and the Bandon keeper was never really under threat throughout the game.
Barren Crowley deservedly took the Man of the Match award at the finish with his all-round contribution at wing forward and his four points from play, but a number of other Bandon players could equally have lifted that award. John O'Connell, one of the most experienced players on the team but not setting the world on fire this season, picked this game to give his best display of the season at corner forward and he finished a fine hour with two points to his credit, as well as setting up the goal.
Not far behind was the hardworking Alan Johnson, whose all-action contribution on the forty was again vital to this win. Robert Moloney had one of his finest hours in the corner and fought for every ball that came near him while contributing three vital points from frees and two from play.
The light Eoghan O'Donovan started at wing forward where he was very lively and finished at wing back where he cleared some great balls in the last
quarter. The strong Richard Milner at full forward used his size well and his goal was the clinching score.
While the Bandon attack was firing on all cylinders they got fine contributions from midfielders James Milner and the hard-grafting Kevin Lucey, while sub, Tom O'Donoghue, did his bit in the last quarter.
PLAUDITS
The Bandon attack may have taken the plaudits again in this game but on reflection, it was upon their sound defence that this victory was built. Slow to settle and losing some of the man-to-man battles early on, they improved considerably as the hour went on, being complete masters at the finish. Pat Prendergast saw little action in goal but his kickouts were long and well-aimed. James O'Donovan was again in total control at the edge of the square while corner backs, James Walsh, saddled with the onerous job of shackling Colm O'Driscoll, and, especially Niall Connor, were solid and sensible.
Centre back Michael Quirke had a shaky first half but thundered into the game after the break while Kevin Walsh and David Crowley closed off the two wings. Sub, David Ahern, did well when he came on and the move of Eoghan O'Donovan to wing back was very effective.
Tadhg MacCarthaigh started well and were looking good until Bandon began to employ pressure all over the pitch, disrupting their running game. Colm O'Driscoll almost won this game on his own and was again their main man with some lovely scores but the usually effective Colm O'Sullivan in the other corner saw little of the ball throughout the game. Kevin O'Driscoll had a great first half on the forty, winning a lot of ball, but faded after the break while Sean Murray tried hard at full forward and on the wing but achieved little on the scoreboard.
Tadhg Deasy played his heart out at midfield, getting good support from Mark Bar-rett but they were met by some very solid tackling from the Lilywhites.
Donal O'Regan was the most effective of the backs in the first half but had his hands full with O'Connell after the break. Denis McCarthy at wing back certainly didn't let his side down and gave as good as he got all through, especially in the third quarter. Sean O'Sullivan and Damien Daly also tried hard in a defence that came under a lot of pressure in the second half.
The Sam Maguire Park was in splendid condition for this final and the stewarding was top class but the attendance of little over 500 was disappointing.
Referee, Pat Lawton, Barry-roe,
THE PLAY
The game got off to a very slow start, in a surreal lack of atmosphere, and it was Caher-agh who took early command against a very nervous Bandon side. Colm O'Driscoll pointed a free in the second minute for the first of his seven points and in the fourth minute Kevin O'Driscoll shot narrowly wide from an acute angle. Alan Johnson opened Bandon's account in the fifth minute following an O'Connell pass but it was Caheragh who were doing the pressing, resulting in points from Kevin O'Driscoll and Colm O'Driscoll, following good work from Mark Barrett.
Caheragh were dominating midfield at this stage but then a bad mistake allowed Robert Moloney in for a snap Bandon point and this seemed to shake the Lilywhites out of their early jitters. Moloney then pointed a free and it was all square at the end of the first quarter, 0-3 each.
The rampaging Darren Crowley put Bandon in front for the first time in the 17th minute, with the Bandon forwards doing great work now in harassing the Caheragh backs and preventing them from building attacks, but back came Caheragh to level with a Colm O'Driscoll free. The same player took a pass from namesake Kevin, to kick his side in front again with a sweet point and then he increased the lead to two from a free. But just as they seemed to be slipping, back came Bandon to register the last two scores of the half from Rob Moloney, free, and Darren Crowley after a lovely move.
It was 0-6 each at the break and one felt Bandon could be in the driver's seat with the breeze beginning to freshen. When Darren Crowley and the rejuvenated John O'Connell pointed after the interval it was looking ominous for Caheragh but they showed great resilience as they fought back with a great point from Tadhg Deasy and another from Colm O'Driscoll to level the scores for the fifth time.
John O'Connell shoved Bandon back in front again and when a high centre from Darren Crowley hopped in the goal area, Robert Moloney blazed just wide. Denis McCarthy was starring at wing back for the Caheragh men as they drew level at the end of the third quarter with a Colm O'Driscoll free, 0-9 each.
The last quarter began as Kevin O'Driscoll raced through for a Caheragh point to put them in front and for a brief couple of minutes they looked to be gaining control but full credit to Bandon who went up through the gears in the closing stages in a fighting effort to defend their title. Robert Moloney levelled from a free, 0-10 each, the last time they were on equal terms and then he fastened onto a great centre from Eoghan O'Donovan to blast his side into the lead. They weren't to look back again as they put the boot to the floor and drove hard for the finish line.
CLINCHER
Darren Crowley made it a two-point game with a marvellous point and then, in the 55th
minute, came the clincher when Richard Milner rose high on the edge of the square to fist home a John O'Connell centre. Caher-agh, with a few substitutions, tried hard in the closing minutes but the Bandon defence was in control and all they could manage was a Colm O'Driscoll free. It wasn't the last score as that fell to the hard-working Alan Johnson who kicked a fine point in the 62nd minute to put the seal on a well-deserved win, 1-13 to 0-11.
The Man of the Match award, sponsored by O'Neill Sports, Clonakilty, was won by Barren Crowley, Bandon.
After the game the Mick McCarthy Cup was presented to Bandon captain, Kevin Walsh, by Sean de Barra, riinai of the SW Junior Board.
Scorers for Bandon: R Moloney 0-5 (0-3f), D Crowley 0-4, R Milner 1-0, A Johnson, J O'Connell 0-2 each.
Scorers for Tadhg Mac Carthaigh: C O'Driscoll 0-7 (0-4f), K O'Driscoll 0-2, T Deasy, C O'Sullivan (f) 0-1 each.
BANDON: P Prendergast; J Walsh, J O'Donovan, N Connor; K Walsh, M Quirke, David Crowley; J Milner, K Lucey; Darren Crowley, A Johnson, R Moloney; J O'Connell, R Milner, E O'Donovan. Subs: Aherne for K Walsh, T O'Donoghue for J Milner.
TADHG MAC CARTHAIGH: A Collins; D Harring-ton, S O'Sullivan, J Ryan; T Herlihy, D Daly, D Mc¬Carthy; T Deasy, M Barrett; S O'Driscoll, K O'Driscoll, K Barrett; C O'Sullivan, S Murray, C O'Driscoll. Subs: J Herlihy for S O'Driscoll, W O'Sullivan for D Harrington, D O'Brien for K Barrett.
Referee: Pat Lawton, Barryroe.
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Caheragh men battle 'til the end - JFC - Derry Farr - Evening Echo 01-09-08
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Bandon 1-13
Tadhg MacCarthaigh 0-11
IT DOESN'T happen often but when a forward division wastes little, like the Bandon attack did in this final of the South West Junior A Football Championship, there's little the opposition can do except try to the end.
That's what Caheragh did at Dunmanway last Saturday evening.
Despite 11 shots off target, they were still involved until Richard Milner served up a mortal blow with a 57th-minute Bandon goal.
This guaranteed the Lilywhites a second successive Mick McCarthy Cup triumph after a campaign plagued by inconsistency.
Several times their crown tottered on the way to this decider, where everything went right for them.
Their forwards served up just four wides during an hour where Darren Crowley gave a man-of-the-match display on the wing.
Alan Johnson was irrepressible in the centre and Robert Moloney missed nothing on the left flank, and that was only the half-forwards.
Inside Richard Milner served up a crucial goal, in a game of very few opportunities.
Eoin O'Donovan likewise roamed to good effect and John O'Connell re¬turned to his brilliant best.
Altogether they were too potent for Caheragh, but credit the chal¬lengers for trying.
With Mark Barrett and Tadhg Deasy winning the midfield battle, as they would in most games in this grade, Caheragh were handed an early advantage — but how they toiled to conjure up their scores!
Not once did they look likely to goal and constantly seemed under pressure when attempting to take their points.
They didn't always make the most of Kevin O'Driscoll's ability to regu¬larly win possession.
Inside, Colm O'Driscoll was smothered at times but he still man¬aged three points from play in a con¬test where Sean Murray also showed up well after moving to the wing.
Caheragh were individually dan¬gerous but collectively were clamped down by Bandon.
James O'Donovan and James Walsh maintained the high standard in the Bandon rearguard.
Their defensive colleagues were consistent rather than spectacular and as a unit they effectively limited the potentially explosive Caheragh.
Despite their shortcomings up front Caheragh were in this game right to the end of a contest where Bandon overcame midfield problems by bringing Eoin O'Donovan out to pickup the breaks. He did this efficiently.
The losers twice opened up a two-fcoint lead in a sluggish opening half;where Bandon served up two important scores in injury-time.
Robert Moloney and Barren Crowley both hit the target in quick succession to send the winners in on level terms at the interval.
Crowley and an emerging John O'Connell then propelled Lilywhites ahead with points soon after the re¬sumption, and the ease with which they were served up contrasted sharply to the struggle Caheragh had in hitting the target.
Going for their sixth title in this championship, the losers weren't afraid of hard wok.
This was particularly true of John Ryan and Tony Herlihy in de¬fence.
Though renowned man marker Dens McCarthy was on Darren Crowley, Caheragh failed to subdue the Bandon dual star, even after handing Damien Daly the task.
Caheragh were brought level by Colm O'Driscoll for the fourth time in the eighth minute of a second half where the standard rose to a more acceptable level.
With Caheragh continuing way-ward shooting, they made life very difficult for themselves.
But points from Colm O'Driscoll and Kevin O'Driscoll brought them to the front for the last occasion with 13 minutes of normal time left.
Bandon then introduced David Aherne and Tom O'Donoghue to the action and O'Donoghue's direct methods worked well for a team that had Robert Moloney on target to square matters for the sixth, and final, time after 49 minutes of hon¬est endeavour.
A great Eoin O'Donovan delivery was caught and dispatched with
some aplomb by an in-form Moloney to ease Bandon in front once more.
And when Darren Crowley slipped over a pass from David Aherne, the winners were back with a two-point gain.
That's a dangerous lead in any game, but when Richard Milner punched James O'Connell's deliv¬ery to the net three minutes from time, the danger finally passed.
Bandon tightened their grip on a title that had been in jeopardy so many times this year.
Scorers for Bandon: R Moloney 0-5 (0-3f), D Crowley 0-4, R Milner 1-0, A Johnson, J O'Connell 0-2 each.
Scorers for Tadhg Mac Carthaigh: C O'Driscoll 0-7 (0-4f), K O'Driscoll 0-2, T Deasy, C O'Sullivan (f) 0-1 each.
BANDON: P Prendergast; J Walsh, J O'Donovan, N Connor; K Walsh, M Quirke, David Crowley; J Milner, K Lucey; Darren Crowley, A Johnson, R Moloney; J O'Connell, R Milner, E O'Donovan. Subs: Aherne for K Walsh, T O'Donoghue for J Milner.
TADHG MAC CARTHAIGH: A Collins; D Harring-ton, S O'Sullivan, J Ryan; T Herlihy, D Daly, D Mc¬Carthy; T Deasy, M Barrett; S O'Driscoll, K O'Driscoll, K Barrett; C O'Sullivan, S Murray, C O'Driscoll. Subs: J Herlihy for S O'Driscoll, W O'Sullivan for D Harrington, D O'Brien for K Barrett.
Referee: Pat Lawton, Barryroe.
Man of the match
It had to be to wing forward barren Crowley who has been their star turn in attack all year. He rose to the occa¬sion once again as he sidestepped his markers with consummate ease to contrib¬ute four crucial scores.
Turning point
IT CAME very late in the game when a goal would have won it for any side.
It fell to Bandon and it gave them a five-point advantage that left Caheragh with little or no time in which to recover.
Ref watch
PAT LAWTON, in his efforts to let the play flow, was a bit hesitant to blow in the early stages. By keeping up with the play however he was in position to get most of his calls right and can be well pleased with his contribution.
Score of the game
IT CAME in the first minute of the second half when a neat Darren Crowley side-step left his marker floundering in his wake only able to watch, on the seat of his pants, as the Bandon attacker nonchalantly kicked his side ahead.
Three reasons why Bandon won
1. THEIR ability to take their points was admir¬able in a game where just four wides, one in the first half, was testament to an attack that was able to make the space and convert the chances that they were given the opportunity to take.
2. A LATE Richard Milner goal that killed off the vibrant Caheragh chal¬lenge. In a game of few goal scoring opportunities Milner's punched effort (he almost scored a second) hammered the final nail in the loser's coffin.
3. THEIR consistency over the whole hour that con¬trasted sharply with games in the previous rounds where they regularly took time out. Luckily they managed to recover each time but in this final they were in¬volved from start to finish.
McCarthy praises his long-serving players - WHAT THEY SAID
BANDON coach, Seamus McCarthy in his first venture into football in Carbery was cool calm, but obviously elated, after watching his charges retain their title. "We scored two crucial points just before half-time and, after a dour opening half struggle the play opened up and suited us in the closing half.
'The ability of our wingers to cut through was another plus factor in a game where the leadership of long-serving players like John O'Connell and Alan Johnson also contributed hugely," declared a man who made a name for himself in Tipperary football and has the nous to take Bandon much further in a county championship where they fell a week after winning last year's divisional title.
Team captain Kevin Walsh attributed his side's victory to a couple of factors, not least their cutting down the involvement of dual players.
"We have only about five hurlers playing football this year and it allows for more concentration.
"We needed to be at our best as this was a very good Caheragh side and we couldn't afford to fall asleep like we did in some of our previous games. We were also mindful of the fact that we had to take our chances and cut down on shooting from impossible angles.
"This had a double edged affect as a bad wide disheartens a team and gives away possession," stated the wing back who was glad that there will be a little respite before they take on the Mid-Cork champions in the quarter-final of the county.
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Forward thinking seals title for Bandon - JFC - Derry Farr - Irish Examiner 01-09-08
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Bandon 1-13
Tadhg MacCarthaigh 0-11
BANDON retained their South West JAFC title with an impressive attacking performance at Dunmanway on Saturday.
A late Richard Milner goal sealed victory over a Caheragh side that hit 11 wides but were always in contention.
The losers held an early two-points lead but the roaming Eoin O'Donovan and centre forward Alan Johnson began to exert authority. Free taker Robert Moloney began to hit good form for the winners while man-of-the-match Darren Crowley also started to find his feet. In first half injury time Moloney and Crowley slotted over a point a piece which, pulled Bandon level and give hope to the champions.
Two more unanswered minors after the break had Bandon back in front only for Caheragh, with John Ryan and Tony Herlihy prominent in defence, to level the scores for the fifth time in a game that was now living up to its pre-match billing. However a massed defence meant the losers laboured to score while Bandon were much more economical in their finishing .
Caheragh were just two-points in arrears before Milner rose highest to punch a John O'Connell delivery to the net, with three minutes remaining. It was game set and match to Bandon who now head into the county championship where their hurlers are also very much involved.
Scorers for Bandon: R Moloney 0-5 (0-3f), D Crowley 0-4, R Milner 1-0, A Johnson, J O'Connell 0-2 each.
Scorers for Tadhg Mac Carthaigh: C O'Driscoll 0-7 (0-4f), K O'Driscoll 0-2, T Deasy, C O'Sullivan (f) 0-1 each.
BANDON: P Prendergast; J Walsh, J O'Donovan, N Connor; K Walsh, M Quirke, David Crowley; J Milner, K Lucey; Darren Crowley, A Johnson, R Moloney; J O'Connell, R Milner, E O'Donovan. Subs: Aherne for K Walsh, T O'Donoghue for J Milner.
TADHG MAC CARTHAIGH: A Collins; D Harring-ton, S O'Sullivan, J Ryan; T Herlihy, D Daly, D Mc¬Carthy; T Deasy, M Barrett; S O'Driscoll, K O'Driscoll, K Barrett; C O'Sullivan, S Murray, C O'Driscoll. Subs: J Herlihy for S O'Driscoll, W O'Sullivan for D Harrington, D O'Brien for K Barrett.
Referee: Pat Lawton, Barryroe.
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