Contesting our first Co. Minor Championship final since 1933 we travelled to Pairc Uí Rinn on Saturday to take on St Fachtnas. The Carbery Division team is a combination of Carbery Rangers and Kilmacabea. We got off to a perfect start in the game with Jason Mannix and Daniel Lane hitting over 2 great points form play. When Stephen Boyce hit over two more points from frees, we were 0-4 to 0-0 ahead – in fact for the first eight minutes the West Cork side never got the sliotar over the half-way line.
Then we conceded a point from a free. This got the St Fachtnas side going and by the 11th minute the sides were level 0-4 each. Stephen Boyce put us ahead from a free again. The physically stronger Fachtnas side were coming more into the game. Points from Jason Mannix and Daniel Dooley (free) increased our score to leave us ahead by 0-7 to 0-6 after 20 minutes. Daniel Lane returned our lead after Fachtnas had levelled. With the sides level at 0-8 apiece the West Cork boys went into the lead for the first time from a free in the 25th minute. A player from each side was dismissed as Fachtnas hit over 2 more points to go in at half time by 0-11 to 0-8.
After such a great start it was very disappointing to be in arrears at the break. The second half started in a disastrous fashion. Two goals in eight minutes left us nine points behind. Points from Stephen Boyce (’65) and Jason Pratt (free) reduced the deficit. Unfortunately the St Fachtnas side went onto score a further 1-6 while our only reply was a point from a free by Stephen Boyce. This was a shattering defeat for this team that has given us some great displays during the year. In fairness at the start of the season we’d gladly have taken a county final appearance and all the players have put in a huge effort. There was no doubting that the St Fachtnas team were better than us but not that much better. All we can say is that the minors can be proud of their displays en route to this final.
Team & Scorers: Paul Dee, Stephen Roche, John Kearney, Brian Collins, Daniel Dooley (0-1), William O’Leary, Stephen Boyce (0-5), Daniel Lane (0-2), Jason Pratt (0-1), Jason Mannix (0-2), James O’Sullivan, Fergus Collins.
Subs: Enda Collins, Gerard Healy, Eoin Murphy.
Thanks to all the players, selectors, trainers Denis and Joe and our sponsors Gubbins Construction.
