Sports Gear Direct CBL Weekend Review 16th – 18th July 2021
✍? Finbarr Buckley
Sports Gear Direct Shield – Group B
Marlboro Trust 1 – 4 Doolan’s Cow
As football made a welcome return, holders Doolan’s Cow got the defence of the trophy they won less than a month ago off to a winning start following last Friday night’s 4-1 win over long time rivals Marlboro Trust at Mayfield Community School
Jamie Murphy opened the scoring direct from a free-kick before Colm O’Driscoll, with his first in competitive action, equalized for Marlboro three minutes before half-time. Aaron Hennessy fired Doolan’s ahead before the water break and Tony O’Reilly added two more to ease the holders to a comfortable win at the finish. Stephen O’Leary and Stephen McCarthy shone for the winners along with Craig Keegan.
Cork Hospitals 4 – 1 The Lion’s Den
Cork Hospitals had veteran utility player Frank O’Brien to thank for keeping Lion’s Den at bay at The Farm last Sunday morning. Deputizing between the posts in blistering sunshine, O’Brien brought off a string of top drawer saves when his team were two up courtesy of strikes from Conor O’Halloran and Ross O’Sullivan. O’Halloran claimed his second from the penalty-spot and Matthew Callan-Cotter added a fourth later on to end the visitor’s challenge which had been hampered by having two players sent off earlier in the contest.
Sports Gear Direct Shield – Group A
Longboats 0 – 4 Co. Council
Co. Council opened their 41st shield campaign with a comfortable four-nil win over Longboats, who played well at stages and will grow in confidence following their first competitive match together at Douglas Community School. Mario Fosca struck the opener and added a second from a penalty before Jordan Hughes made it three before the interval. He completed his hat-trick with twenty minutes remaining. Evan Mohally and Chris Halpin impressed for the winners.
Suro Cars 1 – 4 UCC Utd
UCC, still searching for a first shield triumph after two losing final attempts, got their campaign off to a flyer with a brace from David Hennessy on his debut, the second, a stunning shot from outside the area. Goals from Ransell D’Souza and an 80th-minute header from the long-serving Walter Messina from a well worked corner sealed the points. Chris Brant had earlier reduced the deficit to 3-1 early in the second half. Gearoid Collins and Kieran Hicks shone the home team.
Sports Gear Direct Shield – Group C
Jason O’Neill Electrical 5 – 3 Daz Barbers
Jason O’Neill Electrical bagged five in their opening encounter with Daz Barbers at Mayfield Community School. Despite going one down and two-one down, a free-kick from Conor O’Keeffe, two penalties from Paudie Cotter, and a superb half volley from Emmett Keoghan propelled the hosts to a 4-2 half-time lead. New signing Dylan Courtney sealed the points with a fifth midway through the second 45. Jonah Delaney, the evergreen Arainn McGrath, and Jordan Odunbaku scored for the visitors.
Harp Celtic 4 – 0 VIP Barbers
Harp were good value for their win over another debutant VIP Barbers at Mayfield Pk. last Saturday afternoon. Lee Cooke continued where he left off at the start of last season by scoring twice along with one apiece from Jack O’Brien Stephen O’Leary. Best for the visitors were Steven McCarthy, Adam Harrington and Nikita Zigunov.
Sports Gear Direct Shield – Group D
Brew Boys 0 – 2 Finbarr Galvin Derrow Rovers 2
There was no joy for newcomers Brew Boys on opening night last Friday as they lost out to fellow debutants Derrow Rvs. two-nil at Castlelyons. Rory Galvin and Kyle Buttimer netted the goals for the winners.
OBS 4 – 1 The Weigh Inn
In the same group, OBS had too much for the Weigh Inn who went two down to goals from Anthony O’Reilly and Niall O’Brien before Greg Reeb pulled a fine goal back. O’Reilly and the returning Shane Creech added to the winner’s total before half-time. Ross Leahy and Fionn Edwards were excellent for the visitors at Crosshaven.
Martin Harvey Solicitors 3 – 3 Jay Bazz (MHS won 4-3 on pens.)
Last season’s beaten finalists MHS needed penalties to shake off the challenge of a gallant Jay Bazz eleven at Ringmahon Pk. last Sunday afternoon. After MHS’s Ross O’Sullivan and Brendan Downey exchanged early goals, O’Sullivan edged the hosts in front after the water break. Downey again restored parity only for Alan Nugent to nudge MHS in front for the third time. With practically the last kick of the game, Darragh O’Connor made it three apiece and after a dramatic shoot-out, MHS’s keeper Eoghan Daly stood up to win the tie with the decisive last spot-kick.
