Uibh Laoire knocked Bantry Blues out of the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier IFC following a fractious quarter-final at St. Colum’s GAA grounds in Kealkill on Saturday. The Inchigeelagh club ended a run of two consecutive Premier IFC losses to the Carbery outfit and, more importantly, setup a mouth-watering last-four encounter with Killshannig. A disappointing quarter-final, blighted by far too many yellow cards and petty fouls, only came to life in the second period when Uibh Laoire punished Bantry defensive errors and netted three goals to qualify for the penultimate round of the championship.
The Inchigeelagh club ended a run of two consecutive Premier IFC losses to the Carbery outfit and, more importantly, setup a mouth watering last-four encounter with Killshannig.
A dissappointing quarter-final, blighted by far too many yellow cards and petty fouls, only came to life in the second period when Uibh Laoire punished defensive errors and netted three goals to qualify for the penultimate round of the championship.
A Disappointing First Half
A poor first half saw the eventual winners lead 0-6 to 0-3 despite losing centre back Sean O’Leary to a nasty ankle injury. Chris Óg Jones caused Bantry issues whenever in possession but it was Barry Oldham’s side’s defence that shone. Uibh Laoire held the Blues scoreless from open play during the entire first half.
The Intensity Ratcheted Up
The intensity ratcheted up in the second half, as did the foul count but at 0-7 apiece, it was anyone’s game. Then, two goals in as many minutes decided the outcome. First, Chris Óg Jones forced the ball over the line from close range prior to the Cork senior setting up full back Daniel O’Riordan to palm into an empty net.
A Succession of Points
A succession of points, amid multiple stoppages, petty fouling and yellow cards, saw Uibh Laoire lead 2-9 to 0-9 with 10 minutes to go. The Inchigeela side moved seven clear once Timmy Roberts punished another Bantry turnover prior to two Arthur Coakley frees reducing the deficit.
Uibh Laoire's Triumphant Win
Any faint hopes of a Bantry comeback were extinguished close to the end. The west Cork club was guilty of coughing up possession and Chris Óg Jones galloped clear. With his Cork senior manager John Cleary watching on, Óg Jones made no mistake to take his personal total to 2-4 and rubber-stamp a hard earned Uibh Laoire win. The closing minutes were blighted by a series of flare-ups and fouls before Bantry’s Conor Cronin was sent to the line. It mattered little despite the Blues’ attempts to conjure up a late goal before the final whistle heralded a famous Uibh Laoire victory.
What's Next
Kilshannig stand in the Gaeltacht club’s way of qualifying for a Premier IFC county final just three years after capturing the Intermediate AFC trophy. Clearly, there is plenty of momentum and no shortage of belief within the Iveleary dressing room. That’s of little surprise considering the manner Uibh Laoire defeated a serious Premier IFC contender and county finalist for the past two years to reach the last four.
Scorers for Uibh Laoire: C Óg Jones 2-4 (1f), D O’Rioran 1-0, I Jones 0-3 (1m), T Roberts 0-2, B O’Leary 0-1.
Bantry Blues: A Coakley 0-8 (7f), R Deane 0-4 (3f), K Casey 0-1.
UIBH LAOIRE: J Creedon; B Murphy, D O’Riordan, C Galvin; K Manning, C O’Riordan, S O’Riordan; T Roberts, C O’Leary; A O’Donovan, B Cronin, B O’Leary; S O’Leary (captain), C Óg Jones, I Jones.
Subs: D O’Donovan for S O’Leary (11, inj), S Pickering for B O’Leary (47), K Jones for B Cronin (53, inj), C Vaughan for I Jones (59).
BANTRY BLUES: M Casey; S Thornton, R O’Mahony, C Cronin; M Óg O’Sullivan, B Foley, E Minihane; S O’Leary, K Coakley; S Keevers, R Deane, D McCarthy; A Coakley (captain), K Casey, J Casey.
Subs: J Sheedy for J Casey (ht), E O’Shea for S Thornton (47), D Daly for K Coakley (47), P Cronin for R O’Mahony (47).
Referee: John Enright (Glengarriff).
