Twohig's late goal seals Banteer win
Banteer 2-9 Millstreet 0-10 BANTEER warded off the challenge of Millstreet in a closely contested quarter-final of the Duhallow U-21 'A' HC played in Banteer on Sunday evening.
From the greasy conditions, such encounters will not go down as a classic but for Banteer, it was a case of getting the job done. Indeed Banteer's hard work and dogged resistance demanded a reward and they were ultimately granted it.
Millstreet fought gallantly in a bid to preserve their interest on coming within two points in the closing stages. However Banteer settled the issue on a late goal from substitute Christopher Twohig.
The game lacked fluency early on though Millstreet edged ahead from points to Michael Vaughan and David McCaul.
A breeze assisted Banteer managed to find their feet after Kevin Tarrant stepped in to goal. The strong play of Richard O'Connor, Brendan Withers, David McAulliffe and Keith McGeough illustrated Banteer's potential.
Points to Paul Sheehan, Danny Buckley and Jamie Sexton helped Banteer to a 1-7 to 04 interval advantage. The game's complexion changed upon the restart with Millstreet availing of the solid efforts from Pa Rohan, Mark Ellis, Cormac Sheehan and Vaughan to throw down the gauntlet.
Two points apiece to McCaul and Vaughan cut the deficit to only two. However poor shooting served to limit further Millstreet progress. Banteer waited to the three quarter mark to add to their tally, Withers short 65 found Sheehan to point.
Millstreet relied on pointed frees from Vaughan to remain firmly in the hunt and it took excellent goalkeeping by Banteer custodian Aidan Murphy to keep his side ahead. Banteer finished on the ascendency and put the issue beyond doubt after David McAulliffe's free saw Buckley flick on for Twohig to net shortly before the finish.
BANTEER: A Murphy; S Twomey, R O'Connor, A McGeough; C O'Keeffe, B Withers, Damien McAulliffe; David McAulliffe, K McGeough; D Buckley 0-1, K Tarrant 1-1, J Sexton 0-1; C Kelleher, P Sheehan 0-5 (4f), C Murphy 0-1. Subs. C Twohig 1-0for C Murphy, D McSweeney for Damien McAulliffe.
MILLSTREET: M Desmond; P Rohan, A Murphy, C Sheehan; C Sheahan, M Ellis, K Sheehan; M Vauughan 0-7 (6f), M O'Connor; M Murphy, D McCaul 0-3, L Murphy; D Crean, J O'Mahony, M Buckley.
REFEREE: S Stokes (Tullylease)
- Banteer's Brendan Withers and Millstreet's Len Murphy seek out the sliothar in the Duhallow U21AHC quarter final in Banteer.
