Kilworth 3-5 Seniors – 26th August 2018 – MSL Div 2

Munster Senior League – Division 2
Sunday 26th August 2018 – 10.45am Kick Off

R. Holland (13, 45)
B. Cullen (46, 67)
J. O’Donovan (65)

Team: Patrick O’Regan, John O’Donovan, Aiden O’Donoghue (Shane Barry), Sean Lordan, Lee Holland, Cathal Manning, Conor Nyhan, Sean Holland, Clifford Niles (Chris O’Donoghue), Richard Holland, Brendan Cullen (c)

Kilworth started the brighter of the two teams and with a strong wind behind them, they created the opening chance of the game very early on, however, Bandon’s keeper, Pat O’Regan came out sharply to save. From the resulting corner, Bandon broke out of defence. Cullen played a ball to Richie Holland which fell to Cathal Manning who produced a great turn but his shot was saved. 6 minutes in and Kilworth took the lead as Bandon were themselves caught on the break.

Bandon looked to equalise swiftly and began to heap pressure on the north Cork side. After 13 minutes, a smart interception by Sean Holland followed by a good ball through to his brother Richie Holland resulted in a cool left footed finish into the bottom corner. 1-1 and deservedly so.

Bandon had the better of it in the opening 15 minutes but it was Kilworth who hit the front once again after 16 minutes. An audacious drive from inside their own half. 2-1 to the home side. Within moments of the game restarting, it was 3-1. A cross in from the left hand side was volleyed home by the Kilworth striker.

Many would of written Bandon off at this point but the management team of Richie Holland, DJ O’Driscoll and Timmy Spillane were keen to urge calm amongst the Bandon players. Bandon then began to settle and for much of the remainder of the half, Bandon piled pressure on the home defense. In the 40th minute, Aiden O’Donoghue hit the crossbar with a volley from a corner. Bandon now deserved to get that second goal and it came on the stroke of half time from player manager Richard Holland. He won his side a free kick in a dangerous position before placing it into the bottom corner. 3-2 and half time but it was game on.

Bandon equalised a minute into the second half. Sean Lordan played a great ball out of defence, Richie Holland’s back heel fell to Brendan Cullen who’s powerful run saw him go through two Kilworth defenders, he turned on to his left foot and buried the ball into the top corner. Superb finish from the Bandon man. 3-3.

For a few minutes, it was end to end, a lob by Brendan Cullen nearly put Bandon in front but then Kilworth hit the side net from a one on one situation. From the 55th minute onwards, Bandon really took charge of the game and it was just after the hour mark that the away side hit the front. Brendan Cullen went on a burst down the left wing, his cross was cleared. It fell to Bandon’s full back John O’Donovan who drove the ball into the back of the net from 25 yards out. His first MSL goal and what a cracker it was. 4-3 to Bandon.

2 minutes later, Bandon put a bit of daylight between themselves and the home side. Richie Holland put Brendan Cullen through and he slotted the ball home for his second of the game. 5-3. 2 minutes after this, Sean Holland tried for a spectacular goal himself. He was well inside his own half and spotted the Kilworth keeper off his line, he went for it and was very unlucky not to score.

Bandon really turned up the pressure and were trying to get that sixth goal. Aiden O’Donoghue had a header cleared off the line. Lee Holland came very close with a free kick from 30 yards out. Lee Holland was superb on the right all day and made a great run late on in the game, his cross led to a double save from the substitute keeper for Kilworth.

Kilworth had to try and get into the game but Bandon defended well with Sean Lordan showing great composure and defensive ability in the last 20 minutes.

In the end, a great comeback from Bandon’s Senior Team. A deserved three points, lets hope this 100% record continues.

Man of the Match: John O’Donovan: Superb in defense, gave 100% throughout the game. He also gave options for his team mates going forward. His fine performance was topped off with his first MSL goal.