Ibane minor football

The Ibane minor football team bowed out to their old rivals Glanmire in the semi- final of the Premier 1 football competition last week. A 4-07 to 1-09 defeat does not reflect the closeness and hard- fought nature of the game. A youthful Ibane team fought to the end under lights in Clonakilty. While in no way taking from Glanmire’s victory, a number of points need to be considered when reflecting on this result. Ibane were competing at the highest level of minor football competition within the county. It should be noted that Castlehaven and St. Finbarr’s who also played in Clonakilty on the same evening were competing in a grade below. Little did the enlightened and brave individuals who pioneered the amalgamation of Argideen and Barryroe at underage level as Ibane Gaels back in 2012, dream that a team from the fledgling club would be playing against such exalted company a number of years later. This particular team has progressed steadily up the grades and a great debt of gratitude is due to the players, their parents and various mentors who have carefully nurtured their talents over the seasons. This age group were also dealt a terrible blow with star forward Lorcan O’Leary and Cork under 17 All-Ireland winning mid-fielder, Jack Lawton suffering heart- breaking long -term injuries. Both are wished well in their rehab over the winter before they re-join their team mates for a new, injury free season in 2021. Team; Luke McCarthy; Sean O’Riordan, James Moloney, Michael Walsh; Michael Ryan, Conn Dineen, Sean Henchion; Fergal Walsh (0-02), Andrew Guinevan; Philip Flynn, Ryan O’Donovan (1-07), Adam McSweeney; Michael Holland, Sean Walsh, Christopher Walton. Subs used C. O’Sullivan. The players and management put in a tremendous effort all year and had to juggle swapping codes on a weekly basis during an action- packed season.