Diarmuid Ó Mathúna 1-15

Argideen Rangers 1-13

TOM LYONS REPORTS

IT was bragging rights for Diarmuid Ó Mathúna in the Red FM Division 6 hurling league when they got the better of fellow West Cork side Argideen Rangers on Saturday afternoon last.

A fruitless trip to Castletownkenneigh, the advertised venue for the game, a closed pitch, and a cross-country dash to Timoleague on a hunch that the game might have been transferred there meant we missed the first quarter of this contest, and the mood wasn’t too good – but the fare on offer soon had the spirits rising again as Mathúnas deserved their narrow, late win over the ‘home’ side.

Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's ambition to win three games in Division 6 after gaining promotion last season in order to secure their place for next season is now two-thirds of the way towards being realised as this was their second win in four outings.

‘We’re definitely playing a higher grade of hurling in this league. These are the games you look forward to, real tests,’ said Mathúna manager Pat Lucey.

‘Playing against teams like Argideen, on a fine pitch, you have to up the standard. These are like championship games to us and with a small panel to pick from, we have to keep the boot to the floor all the time. Any few missing and we’re in trouble.

‘Gearóid O’Donovan was a big loss to us today, out injured. ‘Luckily, nobody has gone off to Australia or anything like that this year. We have a couple of young lads coming through but because of their age they can’t play in this league, but they will be available for the junior championship.

‘There are a lot of good teams in the West Cork championship and they will all have an eye on winning it. We can’t take any team for granted. We played very well in the second quarter today and when we were in trouble in the second half, we were able to hold the ball up in the forwards, taking pressure off our backs. I was very happy with that.

‘We have no pitch to train on at the moment, we use the small practice pitch, so that’s a bit of a draw-back, but St. Mary’s will give us the use of their pitch later in the year once the championship begins.’

Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's Micheál O'Sullivan is tackled by Argideen Rangers' John Michael O'Callaghan. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

There was little between the sides in the opening quarter as the score stood at 1-4 to 0-5 in Mathúnas’ favour when we arrived at the venue. Playing with the breeze, Diarmuid Ó Mathúna had grabbed the vital goal through James Fleming in the 12th minute, with points coming from Ted Lordan, Willie Horgan and Conor O’Sullivan. Argideen responded with white flags from John Michael O’Callaghan and Finbarr Butler, a brace each, and James Crowley.

Our arrival coincided with Mathúnas taking a firm grip on the game in the second quarter. Prominent in their surge was goalkeeper Haulie O’Driscoll with three mighty points from long-range frees. Solid in defence, dominant at midfield and lively in attack, Mathúnas played some great hurling as ace scorer full-forward Caolán O’Donovan pointed two more frees and added one from play.

It looked like Argideen were going to be overwhelmed by the newcomers to the division but they were thrown a lifeline when Finbarr Butler set up Seán Walsh for a well-taken goal in the 28th minute.

It was 1-9 to 1-5 at half-time and with Argideen having lost the influential Finbar Butler, they looked in serious trouble facing the breeze. However, some hard talking by manager Barry Harte had them in a much more determined mood for the second half-hour.

Argideen Rangers' James Crowley tangles with Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's Conor O'Sullivan. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

J.M. O’Callaghan, two from play, and Caolán O’Donovan, two from frees, cancelled each other out before a Charlie Twomey free cut the lead to three by the end of the third quarter, 1-11 to 1-8.

The last quarter saw Argideen drawing level with points from goalkeeper Philip O’Flynn, who had moved outfield, James Crowley and Twomey (free). An O’Donovan point shoved Mathúnas back in front but Darragh O’Donovan levelled with time running out.

Another O’Flynn point had Argideen in front again, looking likely winners, but a resurgent Mathúna’s finished in a blaze, looking very fit, to snatch a great win with points from O’Donovan, two frees, and Matthew Draper. The final score was 1-15 to 1-13 in Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's favour.

Haulie O’Driscoll, Charlie Ronan McCarthy, Conor O’Sullivan, Robbie Lucey, Kevin O’Donovan, Willie Horgan, Caolán O’Donovan and James Fleming were best for the winners, while Bill Fleming, Seán Murray, Darragh O’Donovan, Matthew Lawton, Finbarr Butler, John Michael O’Callaghan and Cathal O’Donovan were prominent for Argideen.

Our Star: Great effort from many players but once again it was the radar-sharp free-taking of Mathúna full-forward Caolán O’Donovan that carried his side to victory, as well as acting as a great target man up front.

Scorers

Diarmuid Ó Mathúna: Caolán O’Donovan 0-8 (7f), James Fleming 1-0, Haulie O’Driscoll 0-3f, Conor O’Sullivan, Willie Horgan, Matthew Draper and Ted Lordan 0-1 each.

Argideen Rangers: John Michael O’Callaghan 0-4 (1f), Seán Walsh 1-0, Philip O’Flynn, Finbarr Butler, James Crowley and Charlie Twomey (2f) 0-2 each, Darragh O’Donovan 0-1.

Diarmuid Ó Mathúna: Haulie O’Driscoll; Ronan McCarthy, Seán Crowley, Eoin Mangan; Jack O’Callaghan, Conor O’Sullivan, Robbie Lucey; Mícheál O’Sullivan, Kevin O’Donovan; Willie Horgan, Matthew Draper, Ted Lordan; Jamie Lucey, Caolán O’Donovan, James Fleming.

Argideen Rangers: Philip O’Flynn; Charlie Dineen, Bill Fleming, Darragh O’Donovan; Seán Murray, Fergal Walsh, Seán Henchion; Kevin Hennessy, Matthew Lawton; Finbarr Butler, Seán Walsh, Charlie Twomey; James Crowley, Eoin Lawton, John Michael O’Callaghan.

Subs used: John Sheehan for F. Walsh (ht), Cathal O’Donovan for F. Butler (ht), Danny Lawton for E. Lawton (45), Robert Hennessy for P. O’Flynn (60).

Referee: Anthony O’Regan (Kilbrittain).