Clonakilty Town 2
Drinagh Rangers 1
Clonakilty Town came from a goal down to defeat Drinagh Rangers 2-1 following a thrilling Bernard Hayes Travel West Cork Over33 Cup final in Canon Crowley Park on Saturday evening.
Drinagh kicked off in front of a vociferous crowd on their home patch and had the better of the opening exchanges. The hosts created a succession of early chances from dead-ball situations and one free-kick had the Clonakilty Town defence in a panic. A curling in-swinger fell to the feet of Mike Doolan and his goal-bound effort took a wicked deflection out for a corner.
Town responded well to that early scare with Nick Harrison and Kevin Kingston pushing Clon forward. Kingston fired a long range effort just wide after 21 minutes and the combined efforts of Jonathan Hunt and Leo Flynn kept the Drinagh back four busy.
There was nothing between the sides until the cup final exploded into life shortly before the interval with two goals in as many minutes. Rangers’ constant threat from free-kicks produced the opening strike when Mike Doolan pounced to finish from close range after Town’s defence failed to clear. Drinagh’s delight was short-lived however as Clon went straight down the other end of the pitch to equalise with their next attack.
The ball was moved to Jonathan Hunt on the edge of the Drinagh area and his deft touch released Donal O’Donovan who was brought down by a rash challenge. The referee had little option but to award a penalty and Leo Flynn made no mistake to tie the score at 1-1.
The second half was played at a high tempo with both sides exchanging chances in a cracking finale. Clonakilty Town wasted a series of opportunities before Brian O’Donovan finished off a flowing move with a fine volley to edge Clon 2-1 ahead. Drinagh threw numbers forward in search of an equaliser but the determined defending of the excellent Nick Harrison helped Clon repel their attacks.
Town were reduced to 10 men late on but defended manfully to see out the remaining minutes and deservedly claim the 2010 Bernard Hayes Travel West Cork Over33 Cup trophy.
Clonakilty Town: John Leahy, Micheal Griffin, Nick Harrison, Michael Hurley, Ger McCarthy, Diarmuid Hayes, Lorne Edmeade (Captain), Kevin Kingston, Brian O’Donovan, Jonathan Hunt, Declan Cox, Leo Flynn, Ger O’Sullivan, Donal O’Donovan and Keith Collins.
Drinagh Rangers: Danny McQueen, Cathal McCarthy, Brian McCarthy, Colm McCarthy, Phil Allison, Don Hurley, Jim Collins, Denis Nolan, Mike Doolan, Dean Simpson, Kenneth Kingston, Declan Deasy, Vincent Collins, Martin Cronin, Kevin Marron (Captain), Colm Daly, Denis Hurley, James Walsh, Alan Shorten, Connie Keane, Ian O'Callaghan, Seamus Daly and Brendan McCarthy.
Referee: Terry Minihane, Assistants: Anthony McDermott and Steven McDermott
GMC
A big thanks to the sponsors of the 2010 West Cork Over33 Tournaments:
The West Cork Over33 League is kindly sponsored by O'Briens Bar, Rosscarbery.
The West Cork Over33 Cup is kindly sponsored by Bernard Hayes Travel, Cork.
The West Cork Over33 Shield is kindly sponsored by A Cut Above, Clonakilty.
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