U21’s progress after superb fightback
A superb second half fightback saw our U21 emerge as deserved winners over Bantry in the 1st round of the U21 B Football Championship, played in Dunmanway on Friday 22nd last.
A hungier and more physical Bantry outfit started the better, and opened the scoring early in the 1st half. The Kilmacs, through the industry of Darren Whooley at centre back slowly started to claw their way into the game. A Damien Gore free leveled the game after 7 mins but from that until Ian Jennings kicked the Kilmacs second point in the 16th minute, the Bantrymen plundered 1-3 without reply. Again the Kilmac rearguard were struggling to cope with the pace and power of the Bantry attack, but the tiresome work Darren Whooley, Eamon Shanahan and Myles Tobin held the defence together, while midfield pair of Niall Bowkett and Ian Jennings were beginning to find their feet and get to grips with their opponents.
A pair of Damien Gore points, cancelled out two from the Westerners and Darren Whooley rounded out the 1st half scoring with a well taken point, having crashed a shot off the crossbar before that. The half time score reading Kilmacabea 0-5 Bantry Blues 1-6
A number of positional changes at half time, with Niall O Regan and Jamie Ronan switching to the half back line seemed to galvanise the Kilmacs approach but despite further points from Jennings and Gore, Bantry still held their advantage of 4 points with 20 mins left.
The Kilmacs were now starting to assert their control over the game, with hardworking Dan Lynch and Ellis Wilson starting to cause the Bantry men more problems. The goal that the Kilmacs craved finally came in the 42nd minute, when after a goalmouth scramble, young full forward Keith Whelton punched the ball to the Bantry net an this ignite the Kilmacs charge. From now until the final whistle the Kilmacs broke the resolve of the Bantry team, and further points from Ian Jennings (2) and Damien Gore (3) sealed a fantastic win for the Kilmac men.
This victory was hard won and ever one on team contributed to it; Tiernan Kerrisk is goal started nervously but grew into the game; an all Glandore full back line of the Tobins, Myles and Dara and Adrian Gore suffocated the Bantry inside line; the half back line of Jack Connolly, Darren Whooley and Eamon Shanahan held their nerve very well especially during the tough opening half; Ian Jennings and Niall Bowkett worked very well together at mdfield and Ian’s scoring threat made him very dangerous; Ellis Wilson, Dan Lynch and Niall O Reagan got through a mountain of work in the half forward line and gave great service to our inside line; Youthful duo Jamie Ronan and Keith Whelton showed that they belonged at this grade, especially Keith and his instinctive finish for his goal; and once again Damien Gore showed his class with his haul of 0-7 also being vital to this great win.
Subs Peter Hayes and Odhran Kerrisk also contributed to this well deserved win.
Scorers: Damien Gore (0-7, 0-4 from frees), Ian Jennings (0-4), Keith Whelton (1-0), Darren Whooley (0-1)
Team v Bantry:
Tieran Kerrisk, Adrian Gore, Myles Tobin, Dara Tobin, Jack Connolly, Darren Whooley, Eamon Shanahan, Niall Bowkett, Ian Jennings, Ellis Wilson, Dan Lynch, Niall O Reagan, Jamie Ronan, Keith Whelton, Damien Gore. Subs used: Peter Hayes, Odhran Kerrisk
