Castlemartyr U21 Footballers win East Cork Final

On Friday night last (7-5-2004), in Rostellan, Castlemartyr won the East Cork U21 B Football Championship sponsored by O'Shea Electrical. It was our 4th time winning this competition in the history of the club, having been successful in 1976, 1980, 1983. Fielding a very young side with seven of the team aged 17 or under and four of the five subs in the same category. We opened the scoring with a Derek Bowens free kick. Cloyne quickly added a brace of points before 16 year old Michael O'Neill scored a great goal. Derek Bowens and Michael O'Neill scored 2 points before half time to leave the score 1-3 to 0-4 in our favour at the short whistle.

Cloyne dominated the opening 15 minutes of the second half scoring 1-3 in this period. It would have been greater only for the outstanding Eanna McGovern in goals who made some fantastic saves. On one of our rare advances into the Cloyne half we were awarded a penalty. Dwayne Bernard scored a goal after the Cloyne keeper made a great effort to save his shot. The scoreboard now read 2-3 to 1-7 in Cloyne's favour with less than ten minutes remaining on the clock. We got on top in midfield thanks to Daragh O'Keeffe. Time after time we went forward but couldn't score. Barra O'Tuama had a point disallowed for an infringement in the square.

With the clock in stoppage time and Cloyne in possession 25 yards from our goal we looked in deep trouble, but a great block down and 3 passes later Dave Horgan set up Michael O'Neill who showed nerves of steel to finish the ball to the Cloyne net. Shortly after Billy Cody blew the final whistle to sound the start of celebrations by our large following. The secretary of the East Cork board Mr Willie Ring presented the cup to our captain Robert O Donovan.

While our football on the night never reached the standard of previous rounds the result was very very rewarding. It was a tremendous team effort starting with Eanna McGovern in goal who played with a broken finger and his right knee was badly injured. The took all the kick-outs on the night with his weaker left leg. His saves were fantastic and kept us in the ghame when we looked in trouble. Outside him Shane O'Donovan, Donncha O'Tuama and Patrick O'Donvan gave very little away. Ruari McGovern and Evan O'Keeffe covered the flanks very effectively while at centre back Daragh O'Keeffe was outstanding as he was in every game we played. Midfield captain Robert O Donovan and Brian Smiddy battled away all night. Inside then our three young half-forwards Barra O'Tuama, Dwayne Bernard and James Deehan ran themselves into the ground while in the full forward line Derek Bowens scored 2 points and Dave Horgan who was our leading scorer comng into the games set up the winning goal for our hero Mick O'Neill who scored 2-1 and finished the championship with 5-5. Our subs on the night were Fergal Barry, Ger Swayne, Eddie Clifford, Brian Lawton and Michael John Crowley. The selectors were Pa Beausang, Jimmy Smiddy and Cha O'Neill. A great crowd turned out in Castlemartyr to welcome home the team.

Hard luck to Cloyne who gave it their all in a very sporting game and were very gracious in defeat. Also well done to Aghada for putting in a big effort and a well turnded out pitch.

The following are some pics taken at the match: