Munster club SFC: 'Haven survive Stradbally scare

November 19, 2012

Castlehaven's Mark Collins and Eddie Rockett of Stradbally. INPHO
Castlehaven (Cork) 1-5
Stradbally (Waterford) 0-7

Red-hot favourites Castlehaven recovered from a five-point interval deficit to edge out Stradbally in a rain-lashed AIB Munster club SFC semi-final at Clonkilty.

A major upset looked to be on the cards when the Waterford champions led by 0-6 to 0-1 at the halfway stage, but a Seanie Cahalane goal with 10 minutes remaining brought Castlehaven level before late points from Damien Cahalane and Mark Collins saw the Cork kingpins complete the Great Escape.

Favoured by the elements in the first half, Stradbally showed scant respect for their illustrious opponents as scores from Shane Ahearne (one '45, on free), county final replay hero David Grey, Ger Power, Paddy Kiely and Niall Curran (free) helped them to a comfortable lead at the break. Castlehaven's sole reply came from Sean Dineen.

Stradbally continued to hold the upper hand until the 50th minute when 'Haven captain Cahalane capitalised on a goalkeeping error to level proceedings, 1-3 to 0-6. Points from Damien Cahalane and Collins made it 1-5 to 0-6 and a late Curran free couldn't save the long-time leaders, as the West Cork side set up a Munster final meeting with Dr Crokes on December 2.

Castlehaven - P Hurley; D Limrick, L Collins, T O'Leary; R Whelton, D Cahalane (0-1), C Hayes; S Dineen (0-1), D Hurley; S Cahalane (1-0), M Collins (0-1), A Cahalane; S Nolan (0-1), B Hurley (0-1), S Hurley. Sub: S Hurley for Whelton.

Stradbally - O Costelloe; A Doyle, K Coffey, P Doyle; T Grey, E Rocket, S Lannon; M Walsh, D Grey (0-1); P Kiely (0-1), G Power (0-1), J Coffey; N Curran (0-2), S Ahearne (0-2), R Ahearne. Subs: S Cunningham for D Grey, T Curran for Power.

Referee - D O' Mahony.

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