Argideen Rangers' good run in this year's Bandon Co-op Carbery JAFC continued in Bandon as they qualified for the last four.
Argideen Rangers 1-10
St Mary’s 1-9
JOHN MURPHY REPORTS
ARGIDEEN Rangers’ good run in this year’s Bandon Co-op Carbery JAFC continued in Bandon as they qualified for the last four.
Argideen are more renowned as a hurling side in recent years, but manager Peter Fleming feels that the extra effort and commitment being put into football this year is beginning to reap rewards.
‘We know our limitations, we are not world-beaters, but traditionally we are a decent championship team. We felt there was a window of opportunity there and we took it,’ Fleming said.
‘Dylan Harrington’s goal was vital while the substitutes – Darragh Holland, Andrew McCarthy, Brian Hennessy and Michael O’Callaghan – all played their parts.
‘Our defence was excellent, particularly in the second part, splendidly marshalled by John Michael O’Callaghan.’
The opening quarter was keenly contested. Cillian MacGillycuddy and Rangers captain Oisín Dowling exchanged points while Niall Kelleher and Bill Fleming bisected the uprights from frees, all inside the opening 11 minutes.
After a bright opening Peter Daly and Cillian MacGillycuddy found gaining possession far from easy as Argideen’s pairing of Eoin Lawton and Paudie Butler thundered into the fray around the middle third. However, at the close of the opening quarter the Saints won a penalty after a high delivery by Darren O’Donovan ended with Jason Collins hitting the deck. Brian McCarthy drilled the ball low to the Rangers net.
Now 1-2 to 0-2 ahead, it seemed that St Mary’s would power on. Instead, it was resilient Rangers who battened down the hatches, as Matthew Lawton kicked over a delightful free.
Peter Daly replied with a sublime score from 60 metres but Rangers got the vital breakthrough when the outstanding Finbarr Butler parted to John Michael O’Callaghan, and while the initial effort was blocked, Dylan Harrington smashed the rebound home.
Niall Kelleher pointed a free but cracking points by Colin Smith and the effective Bill Fleming left Argideen in front by the narrowest of margins at the interval, 1-5 to 1-4.
Niall Kelleher again obliged early in the second half but Argideen had introduced Darragh Holland and he floated over a beauty. The hardworking duo of Matthew Lawton and Niall Kelleher then exchanged scores. With excitement at fever pitch the Lawton brothers, Eoin and Matthew, raised two fabulous white flags between the 48th and 55th minutes, with Kelleher keeping the Saints still in touch.
Michael O’Callaghan entered the fray and made his presence with a delightful point from distance while Tiernan O’Driscoll’s cracking point in the 65th minute came too late.
Scorers
Argideen Rangers: Dylan Harrington 1-0; Matthew Lawton 0-3 (2f); Bill Fleming 0-2 (1f); Oisín Dowling, Eoin Lawton, Michael O’Callaghan, Colin Smith, Darragh Holland 0-1 each.
St Mary’s: Niall Kelleher 0-6 (5f); Brian McCarthy 1-0 (pen); Cillian MacGillycuddy, Tiernan O’Driscoll, Peter Daly 0-1 each.
Argideen Rangers: Dan Hurley; Joe Sheehan, John Sheehan, Cathal O’Donovan; Gerard Crowley, John Michael O’Callaghan, Victor Lovell; Paudie Butler, Eoin Lawton; Finbarr Butler, Matthew Lawton, Dylan Harrington; Oisín Dowling, Colin Smith, Bill Fleming.
Subs: Darragh Holland for Victor Lovell (ht), Andrew McCarthy for Oisín Dowling (inj, 42), Brian Hennessy for Colin Smith (48), Michael O’Callaghan for Dylan Harrington (inj, 58).
St Mary’s: Brian Corcoran; Brian Everard, Rory O’Connor, Finghin O’Driscoll; Jack Hurley, Barry O’Mahony, David Curtin; Cillian MacGillycuddy, Peter Daly; Niall Kelleher, Jason Collins, Billy O’Brien; Brian McCarthy, Gearóid Harrington, Darren O’Donovan.
Subs: Michael O’Driscoll for Gearóid Harrington (30), Tiernan O’Driscoll for Barry O’Mahony (inj, 55).
Referee: Stephen Murphy (Bandon).
