1932

Skibbereen 5-5 Bandon 2-3

August 28th in Skibbereen

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SKIBBEREEN - 5 goals 5 points

BANDON - 2 goals 3 points

Having cleared the enemy out of their territorial waters, Skibbereen has just hailed the beacon of county honours, to receive the encouraging signal of ‘All’s Well,’ and that there is safe anchorage to the lee of the headland. Of course, ships have ere now met disaster within sight of the hospitable harbour lights, but the balance of probability renders almost nugatory mariners’ fears for the safety of their floating charges in this respect. The Skibbereen barque, having so far negotiated its Scylla and Charybdis, has nothing but the dubious winds of change to blame if it does not drop anchor in the safe haven of the premier prize which it so covets, and for which it is now well on the way to secure.

At any rate that is the impression one gains from its decisive, clear-cut victory over its veteran, friendly rivals, Bandon, at the home venue, the Town Park, on Sunday in the final of the South-West Cork Junior Hurling Championship. Already their victims in the fight for supremacy included Enniskeane and Clonakilty, while Bandon had forced Bantry and Kilmeen to strike their ensigns in pursuance of a policy of the survival of the fittest. On the result of Sunday’s match would depend who should engage in the penultimate encounter that provides the ‘Open Sesame,’ to the county final.

To the Capital of Carbery fell this honour. And the honour was well-deserved. As Sunday’s game developed there was no doubt as to who was the superior team: and here, as elsewhere, they demonstrated their splendid staying powers and gave ample proof of the expressive saying that ‘the further they went the better they stayed.’ Bandon, of course, must not be understood to be mere onlookers. They were a very vital force from the start, and disputed every inch of ground but had to bow to superior authority. They could not accommodate themselves as well as the homesters did to the ground, on which the grass was, here and there, somewhat of an impediment.

The winners owe their victory to their staying powers, more vigorous attacks, hefty tackling, greater cohesion, stronger and more constructive hitting, and a midfield superiority which is the crucial point in all games. They were ably served in goal and defence and with greater penetrative powers in the vanguard would be hard to beat in their class anywhere in Ireland. Bandon were by no means dwarfed by comparison. They, too, were well-served in the rearguard, and had tireless workers out the field while they were well-served with good strikers on the wings and centre. Stern tackling, however, gave them little chance and their forwards were not presented with many openings.

For the winners, Barnett was man-of-the-match, while T. Hayes, J. Casey, J. Vaughan, D. Burke, D. Barry were also prominent in a combination that hardly had any weak link. From the point of view of statistical registers, T. Regan had a field day, for he accounted for four goals, including a ‘hat-trick,’ and his last score was the neatest seen in the county for some time.

For the losers, apart from their sound defenders, R. Crowley, W. O’Neill, J. O’Regan, W. Ellis and J. Ring were well worthy of their selection.

The attendance was fair, being affected by the unfavourable weather, which broke down badly in the early afternoon, rendering the pitch very greasy, a handicap that affected the players, especially in the early stages of the game.

Skibbereen Silver Band played the teams on the field and its selections enlivened the proceedings considerably.

Mr. J. Warren, Ballineen, had charge of the whistle.

THE PLAY

Play was of a very scrappy and desultory nature in the early periods. Bandon took the lead with a neat point, per Ellis, in seven minutes, from a puck-in, and in the next few moments they looked like increasing this, in a strong attack, when an injury to Costello interfered, and he had to retire, being replaced by C. O’Regan. Bandon continued to maintain a slight advantage and in two successive raids, Barnett and Hayes relieved pressure. Both sides, however, lacked the punch necessary to bring scores and the exchanges were, on the average, dull. Murphy send over for Bandon and, after Casey and Hayes had transferred the scene of operations, Bandon got up again with a strong puck from A. O’Neill, but W. O’Neill shot wide. Smith effectively dealt with a long and strong shot from Casey, after which E. Donovan placed nicely for T. Regan, who, however, found Downey alert.

J. McCarthy had an unsuccessful try in a further home raid, but Bandon were soon away from the puck-out and Ellis increased their lead by a further minor from long range. D. Burke was observed doing good midfield work, where there were some hefty duels. Wing play honours favoured the homesters, and Tobin cleared a dangerous shot from M. Donovan. The ‘Reds’ first score came about midway in the first half, following an offensive movement for which Barnett was responsible and T. Regan securing from the wing, bustled the leather into the net. This score helped to enliven play and the teams settled down to more co-operative effort. Burke and Casey broke up a Bandon advance, and E. Donovan was just wide with a good effort from the wing. Ndon had an over per O’Regan, at the other end.

Skibbereen advanced in strong formation but the attack was beaten off and following exciting passages at midfield, the homesters were again sent attacking, per Burke, and a few hectic moments in front of the ‘Lilies’ goal were witnessed, but Crowley brought off a ground clearance and Downey was called upon to save. Burke secured on the return and raised the white flag for Skibbereen, who were now turning the tide of battle in their favour and in a further attack E. Donovan secured a beautiful goal for them from a difficult angle.

Play fluctuated uncertainly afterwards, the home team being the more impressive in their methods. Ring had a good effort frustrated and Barnett intercepted another Bandon movement, while Hayes relieved in two attacks. Skibbereen then combined in a strong offensive and Downey saved from M. Donovan, while Crowley was again prominent in extricating his side. Vaughan, with a powerful drive, enabled J. McCarthy to place for D. Barry to increase the home lead with a splendid point. There was no further scoring in this half, though Bandon were nearly ‘doing it,’ following great midfield work by Ellis, but Hayes nipped in just in time.

Half-time: -

SKIBBEREEN - 1 goal 3 points.

BANDON - 2 points.

While the first moiety of play was on the tame side, spectators were not prepared for the ‘good wine’ to come, and were quite prepared to see a continuance of a hum-drum battle. This view was acceptable when, after a few minutes, during which the home custodial saved from Lane, Skibbereen added another goal, following a nice wing movement, when Burke transferred to M. Donovan, who found T. Regan on the mark, and he made no mistake in finding the net.

Almost before the enthusiasm had died down, however, Bandon decided to have something to say in the matter, and they attacked hotly, with Ellis responsible for the lead, and the nippy Ring securing, flashed in an unstoppable goal. The visitors were now seen in great recovery mood and after Lane’s effort was saved, J. O’Regan reduced the other’s lead with a point. Bandon continued to make headway and J. O’Regan had a grand effort saved by Hayes, whose clearance Casey continued, but an over resulted. J. McCarthy (Bandon), who was prominent in this half of the play, broke up a Skibbereen attack, and Murphy was just wide for a minor score.

A O’Neill was injured, and was replaced by D. Lane, and the visitors continued to have the lion’s share of the honours. Barnett cleared from Ellis but Crowley returned for J. McCarthy (Bandon) to carry on the good work, only, however, to find Vaughan too good. The equaliser now came, bringing joy to Bandon’s followers and consternation to the home following. Crowley sent a long drive to O’Neill, who transferred the leather to the wing, where Lane centred, and J. O’Regan banged in a goal.

Play now became extremely fast and exciting and the pace developed accordingly, while the tackling was fierce. Skibbereen, with defeat staring them in the face, made one of those characteristic recoveries for which they are famous and they wielded the ash mercilessly. Casey was using his brains as well as his hands, and had a commendable try stopped by Tobin, while Crowley was called on to clear from the return.

Vaughan’s super-stroke initiated an offensive which caused breathless suspense, until C. Regan relieved the pressure. A Bandon movement was held up by Jack McCarthy, who was always ‘there,’ and M. Donovan checked another movement. Smith intercepted a great solo effort by Casey, and the homesters resumed the lead at last per Barnett, who, from the role of semi-defender, became a scorer and registered a magnificent goal with a long drive, which eluded Tobin’s pull. Home supporters were now jubilant and their players became more definitely aggressive, with a greater amount of method and direction in their efforts. They attacked strongly but first Tobin and then Ellis relieved, while Hayes replied, only to find Ring in position, and he plied his forwards in an attacking position, which made the situation look very critical for the homesters, who, however, survived a terrible onslaught, thanks to J. Donovan and Hayes, and D. Burke completed the relief for the beleaguered party.

The Bandon goal then had a narrow shave when Jack McCarthy’s centre was tipped slightly out of range by T. Regan. The volcanic attack was continued and O’Neill relieved temporarily, but the Reds were rewarded on the return with a point from D. Barry. W. Lane cleared from Hayes, and Casey returned strongly but Fitzgerald was just wide of the mark. A free to Bandon gave them a chance to attack, a thing they did in massed formation but Hayes literally fought an avenue of escape with the ball through the attackers. They were not, however, a spent force and came again but Barnett overwhelmed the effort while McCarthy (Bandon) had a trying shot well cleared by the cool Crowley.

D. Barry further increased the home team’s lead by a point and they were now definitely the superior team, their rivals being made to go the pace with them. In the last five minutes Skibbereen added two further goals per T. Regan. The first followed stern exchanges, when Casey let J. McCarthy away on the wing and he sent to M. Donovan, who again found T. Regan on the mark, and he made no mistake. The second – and last – goal was quite a brilliant effort of the same player. The contest ended with Skibbereen convincing, though well-tried winners. Result –

SKIBBEREEN - 5 goals 5 points.

BANDON - 2 goals 3 points.

Skibbereen – D. Crowley (goal), J. Donovan, J. Vaughan, T. Hayes, P. Regan, J. Casey, J. Barnett, D. Burke, Jack McCarthy, J. Fitzgerald, E. Donovan, D. Barry, M. Donovan, T. Regan.

Bandon – P. Downing (goal), M. Tobin, E. Smith, J. Curtin, J. McCarthy, A. O’Neill, R. Crowley, W. O’Neill (capt..), J. Lane, W. Ellis, T. Gabriel, K. Costello, J. O’Regan, J. Ring, E. Murphy.

Skibbereen: South-West Cork Junior Hurling Champions 1932

County Finalists

SOUTH-WEST CHAMPIONSHIP

For the first time since the inauguration of the championship in 1905, Kilbrittain were knocked out in the first round, losing to Clonakilty on a score of 9-1 to 3-2. It was the first real indication that the great team of 1923 to 1931 was finally reaching the end of the road, after dominating hurling in West Cork and winning six titles in a row from 1923 to 1928.

Clonakilty were subsequently beaten by Skibbereen, who had earlier beaten Enniskeane, in the semi-final, 3-6 to 1-3 in Dunmanway, Jerome Casey being the star of the game.

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Skibbereen met Rochestown in the county semi-final in Bandon on October 2^nd and playing with the wind and sun in the first half, they led by 3-2 to 0-2 at the break. The goals came from Tim Regan, J. Vaughan and J. Fitzgerald. Rochestown exerted a lot of pressure in the second half but another goal from Tim Regan sealed Skibb’s win. It finished 4-5 to 1-7 with D. Crowley again outstanding between the posts and J. Vaughan leading the way outfield.

COUNTY FINAL

Clonakilty was again the venue for the county final, Skibbereen v Lough Rovers, on November 13^th. City side, Rovers, had beaten Ballincollig in the quarter-final by 10-5 to 0-3 and Liscarroll in the semi-final by 7-3 to 4-1 and were hot favourites to take the title. Skibbereen were heavier and stronger but Rovers’ faster and younger side had the advantage. Skibb did well in a thrilling first half and the sides were level at the break, 2-1 each. J. McCarthy and M. Donovan. Tim Regan scored a great goal after half time to give Skibb the lead but Rovers dominated subsequently with their speedy forwards proving a handful. Although J. Fitzgerald had a fourth goal for the West Cork side there was no holding the flying city side on the day as they surged to a 5-4 to a 4-1 win. It was a second successive county final defeat for the Skibb men but a fighting performance right to the final whistle.

Skibbereen - D. Crowley (goalie), J. Donovan, Pete Donovan, J. Vaughan, J. Barnett, J. O’Sullivan, Gerald McCarthy, P. O’Regan, T. Hayes, D. Burke, J. McCarthy (capt..), J. Fitzgerald, M. J. Donovan, E. Donovan, T. Regan.

UNUSUAL FACT

Did it ever happen before or since that the captains of the two teams contesting the county final were, in fact, brothers, Jack McCarthy for Skibbereen and M. McCarthy for Lough Rovers?

COUNTY JUNIOR HURLING FINAL 1932

Lough Rovers 5-4, Skibbereen 4-1, November 13^th in Clonakilty.