Dunmanway Town F.C.

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2001-02 Season

2003-04 Season

2002-03 Season

Updated 08/10/2002

Drinagh edge out Dunmanway Town in Semi Finals of Beamish Cup

Drinagh 2, Dunmanway Town 1

Gavin Daly scored the winner for Drinagh in the last minute of this Beamish Cup semi-final, the first played on the Bank Holiday double header, at Drinagh. The script should have read differently for this first penultimate round game but Town forgot to read it and as underdogs they barked just as loudly as the favourites until the very late happenings.

Having taken the lead, the losers were pulled back to level terms before scorning a penalty opportunity in a contest where they still appeared certain to force extra time until an 89th minute Stephen Kearney corner had the alarm bells ringing in their defence. However it seemed the losers had cleared the danger until Darragh Connolly returned the ball into the danger area, where Gavin Daly lurked. The Drinagh midfielder, who had an absorbing duel with Timmy O’Donovan all through, slipped his marker for once and it was enough to break the deadlock and send Drinagh into their first ever Beamish Cup final.

Back in 1989, Drinagh won the Flor Crowley Cup for the only time and since it changed its name a few years later the Drinagh inscription hasn’t appeared on the Beamish Cup. If it is to this time around they will have to improve considerably on this semi-final performance where they were fortunate to survive against a Town outfit who were also beaten in last year’s semi-final. On that occasion, eventual winners Timoleague hammered them, but on this occasion they deserved to at least force extra time against a Drinagh side still on course for the cup and league double.

In fairness to the winners, they remained composed even when falling into arrears after 26 minutes in this game which had opened with a Town warning shot. Just 30 seconds after the tip-off Daniel O’Donovan was sent clear but his chip over the advancing ‘keeper carried too far.

A relieved Drinagh continued to live dangerously as O’Donovan continued to pose an aerial threat with William O’Donovan excelling in the midfield sector for a Town outfit who were hell bent on putting a dismal league campaign behind them. Although Pat White and Kenneth Burke were making steady progress on the right flank and Darragh Connolly made some well-controlled bursts it came as no surprise when Town opened the scoring. Drinagh cleared two Town corners in quick succession but the second fell to Seán Hayes who launched a long-range missile from way out on the right. Although hit, more in hope than in confidence, the defender’s effort had Kevin McCarthy in trouble in the winners’ goal and the young keeper carried the ball over the line in an effort to save.

McCarthy was to atone on the double and refusing to let this little matter upset him he went on to play a vital role in his sides victory. At the other end, Daniel Hickey another excellent young netminder, proved his worth with a brilliant save from a deflected Pat White effort, just after Town had taken the lead. Stephen Kearney, with a well struck effort, almost had Drinagh back on terms before the interval after which Drinagh were soon to rectify a worrying situation.

In the 51st minute, Kenneth Burke released Darragh Connolly who kept going when his colleagues appealed for a penalty after a Town defender had appeared to handle the ball in the area. The referee allowed play to continue and Connolly, at the second attempt, poked the ball home for a goal that should have settled the favourites. However within minutes ’Town were given an opportunity to retake the lead when a Drinagh defender gave away a penalty and Stephen Collins stepped up to take a kick that was brilliantly saved by Kevin McCarthy.

However Collins was given a great chance of putting the rebound away but he miscued badly and skied the ball high and wide of an empty Drinagh goal. Following this let-off Drinagh, knowing an improvement was called for, got more involved but their deliveries were seldom of a standard attained in a campaign that has taken them to the top this season.

Denis O’Driscoll went close to giving them the lead when a Stephen Kearney corner fell kindly for him before a timely Seán Hayes tackle enabled Town mount a last onslaught. However a fruitless corner resulted before Drinagh were back again and this time Gavin Daly was in the right place at the right time to slot home the all important last gasp winner in a fine sporting contest.

Teams; Drinagh; K McCarthy. L Young, D O’Driscoll, R O’Regan, K Burke, P White, S Kearney, M Doolan, D O’Regan, D Connolly.

Town Reach Semi Finals of Beamish Cup.

Dunmanway Town continued their good form of late with a 2-1 win over Lyre Rovers away last Sunday morning to progress to the Semi finals of the Beamish cup which will be held on St Patrick's weekend. This is Towns 3rd time in 4 years appearing in the Semi finals and hopefully it will be 3rd time lucky.

Last Sunday's game was held on an immaculate pitch in Lyre but the windy and wet weather was to make things very difficult for Town. Town took the lead from some good work from Timmy (Satchie) O Donovan and William O Donovan finishing to make it 1-0 to Town. Before half time Town conceded a Penalty and Lyre went ahead to convert their opportunity to make it 1-1.

Town then had to wait until stoppage time to get the winning goal and this coming from a corner and Dan O Donovan powerfully heading downwards into the Lyre net to make it 2-1 to Town. Town had some very good performers on the day especially the young keeper Daniel Hickey & Barry O Donovan.

Team Dan Hickey, Barry O Donovan, Alan Hickey, Sean Hayes, Denis Healy (Captain), William O Donovan, Martin Collins, Colm Mc Sweeney, Timmy O Donovan, Dan O Donovan, Stephen Collins.

Subs Brian Mc Carthy, James Galvin, Vincent Healy, Finbarr Collins.

Team Management John Buckley and Stephen Daly

Leading Goalscores

Stephen “Dapple” Collins 14 (5 in Beamish Cup)

Daniel O Donovan 4

William Donovan 3

Brian Mc Carthy 2

Paddy Connolly 2

Sean Farr 2

Mike Carroll 1

Sean Lordan 1

Colm Mc Sweeney 1

James Galvin 1

Martin Collins 1

Sean Hayes 1

Dunmanway Town demolish Knockavilla in Cup

Dunmanway Town 6, Knockavilla 2

Shrugging aside the indifferent form that has them currently in relegation trouble at the bottom of the premier league, Dunmanway Town tore Knockavilla asunder in this Sunday morning Beamish Cup, second round clash, at Droumleena Lawn. The man to do most of the damage was five goal hero, Stevie ‘Wonder’ Collins, but his back-up service was impeccable on a day when the underfoot conditions were far from ideal for a lightweight striker.

However, Collins, managed to dance like a butterfly and sting like a bee, in a game between these two age old rivals. For many seasons both these sides had jockeyed for promotion positions on the way up the league ladders until they reached the premier division. Villa’s stay at the top was brief and currently Town are only holding on to their premier status by the skin of their teeth but on this display, they are as good as any in the top flight when they hit the right notes.

This they managed to do early on in this encounter where they were a goal up after five minutes, brought back to parity after 15, went back into a one goal lead by half time before turning on the style to effectively end this contest by the threequarter mark.

Town had cruised into a 6-1 lead by that stage and had a quarter-final place well and truly secured thanks in the main to the scoring exploits of Stevie Collins who must have known things were going to go his way very early on. Early headers by Sean Hayes and Denis Healy repelled Villa in the opening minutes before Tim O’Donovan got a red headed flick-on to release Brian McCarthy.

In the winners’ first real attack, McCarthy was denied by a courageous John McSweeney save, but the Villa ’keeper got no support as Collins was allowed to sweep home the loose ball uncontested. On that occasion, Town managed to beat an offside trap that was to thwart them on a number of occasions against a Villa defence where Emmett Daly was again most consistent, while Barry Cullinane also had his moments. However, against a freerunning, Collins, and a battling Brian McCarthy, they were always on the back foot.

Just two minutes after opening the scoring, Collins fed Brian McCarthy who forced another fine save from McSweeney but the signs were ominous as the Town strike force threatened regularly, given a variety of attacking options by a strong midfield engine room.

Here, Tim O’Donovan was first to show for the winners in an area where John Burke began promisingly for the losers. His determined play was instrumental in bringing Villa in from the cold as the long throws of Jeremy Hurley began to emerge as the losers’ most potent attacking foil. From one of these a Town defender, under pressure from Burke, headed into his own goal and with just 15 minutes of play gone, this was shaping up to be a an exciting encounter.

Denis Healy, from another accurate Hurley throw, headed clear for Town, while Hurley sent a shot just wide of the post in a game that appeared to be going the losers way until Collins emerged to haunt them once more. Just two minutes after Villa reached parity and appeared set to take control, another Tim O’Donovan flick-on released Collins. The lightweight Town striker darted between two Villa defenders before shooting the winners back into the lead and a minute late Michael Carroll should have done better when allowed in at the far post.

However, the Town midfielder was to improve as the game wore on and along with the combative Colm McSweeney and William O’Donovan ensured their willing strike force was given a plentiful supply. Before they really got the upper hand in this sector, Villa, with Tomás Walsh giving Burke most support came into the reckoning for awhile and approaching the break created a few worthwhile chances.

Daniel Hickey, so consistent in the Town goal, was forced to get down smartly to deny Jeremy Hurley while his brother Alan, then had to react quickly and clear the danger at the expense of a fruitless Villa corner. It was in first half injury time however that the losers were to create their best chance of regaining parity but Damien Coughlan headed wide after a well directed freekick had reached him when in isolation at the far post.

So Town retired, 2-1 to the good, and with little knowledge of what was to come in a closing half where Villa were first to show. This time Walsh was denied by a tremendous Daniel Hickey save and when the ball broke loose, Coughlan, under pressure, drove just wide. Following this let-off, the winners really upped their game as Denis Hickey along with Seán Hayes excelled in their central defensive roles.

Alan Hickey and Barry O’Donovan mopped up everything on the flanks against a Villa outfit who found themselves two goals adrift after a 49th minute mix-up in defence caused by a Michael Carroll delivery. Collins was on hand to exact maximum retribution and complete a hat-trick but the Town striker was far from finished. Villa introduced two substitutes to try and stem a flow that was soon to turn into a haemorrhage as there was no stopping Town who went three goals clear when Tim O’Donovan once again set up Collins in the 54th minute.

It was another classic strike by a man that could do no wrong on a day when he, along with Michael Carroll, combined to create an opening for William O'Donovan. The Town midfielder duly obliged and then released Collins for his sides’ sixth goal at a time the winners were in seventh heaven. Enter Barry Buckley to the fray for the closing 15 minutes when he, along with another Villa substitute, William Burke fought nobly but were chasing a lost cause. Emmett Daly did pull a goal back for the losers but Town were well out of reach by then and fully deserving of a quarter-final spot in a cup competition where they reached the last four the previous season.

Dunmanway Town: D Hickey, A Hickey, D Healy, S Hayes, B O’Donovan, C McSweeney, M Carroll, W O’Donovan, T O’Donovan, B McCarthy, S Collins. Subs, D O’Brien, V Healy.

Knockavilla: J McSweeney, E Daly, K White, B Cullinane, D Collins, K Finn, T Walsh, J Burke, D Coughlan, J Hurley, S Moore. Subs, P Desmond, W Burke, B Buckley. Referee, Paul McDermott.

Man Of the Match Stephen Collins (who else when he scores 5 goals but great team effort)

Read the Match report from The Southern Star here

Dunmanway salvage draw 16-12-2001

Dunmanway Town 2, Crossmahon 2

Although the point garnered did little to ease Town’s relegation worries they gained some satisfaction from making Crossmahon’s task harder than expected in this Sunday morning West Cork Premier league drawn encounter at Droumleena Lawn, Dunmanway. Going into the game Town were rooted to the bottom of the premier league ladder from where Mahon have climbed a few rungs in recent weeks. They may have expected to go up another few places after this game but there was no denying a battling Town deserved to share the spoils after a lively tussle in bitterly cold conditions. A few unsuccessful freekicks heralded Mahon’s early superiority before Stevie Collins, following good approach play by Sean Lordan and James Galvin, rattled the Mahon side netting as Town marked out their stall. With Daniel O’Donovan laying off some nice ball, Collins fed well on the breaks against a Crossmahon defence where Cathal Crowley was first to settle. The move of Colm McSweeney to the centre of midfield helped Town in a game where Crossmahon forced the first corner of the game after 20 minutes of play. Generally however their placed ball delivery was poor and easily dealt with by a Town back four where each in their turn had their moments. William O’Donovan had one of his when he got back to deny Tadhg Twomey who had wriggled his way in from the left where Conor O’Donovan was making things happen in the midfield sector for Mahon. Cathal Crowley then thwarted Stevie Collins in the 34th minute but four minutes later; Collins was to have the first say in a game of four goals. The Town striker perfectly placed his free kick which entered the net after veering past a poorly constructed Mahon wall and a despairing Eóin Twomey could do little to prevent the ball from reaching its target. Sean Hayes then saved Town as Mahon came forward in search of an equaliser and it almost arrived in the last period of opening half action. Darren Heffernan’s intended delivery into the Town area took a wicked deflection off Alan Hickey who could only watch as his brother Daniel, in the Town goal, collected the ball after it had bounced into his arms off the upright. Hickey was in action again soon after the resumption when he got down well to save from David Cronin as Mahon resumed determined to get on terms. At the other end, Colm McSweeney had the Mahon defence in a tangle but Stevie Collins failed to avail of a half chance before the visitor’s introduced two substitutes in an effort to unlock a solid Town rearguard. Within seconds of his arrival, Joe Kelly, a veteran of many a Mahon battle, proved he is still a long way from his sell by date, as he headed home a splendidly delivered Conor O’Donovan corner. With thirty minutes still remaining, Mahon were back with a vengeance and with Ian Houlihan along with Denis Wilson now showing up well in defence they were the dominant side for awhile. However they had a lucky let-off in the 68th minute when Daniel O’Donovan and James Galvin gave Eóin Twomey an uneasy time of it before the Mahon ‘keeper finally gained control. It was the visitor’s who continued to set the pace however and it came as no surprise when they took the lead after a Joe Kelly delivery was turned into his own net by a Town defender and with 13 minutes remaining it appeared Mahon were playing well enough to stay in front. It was only from there on in however that we saw most of the goalmouth action as Martin Collins moved to midfield with good effect for Town who almost got back on terms in the 80th minute. However Eóin Twomey pulled off a great save to prevent Daniel O’Donovan from goaling while at the other end Daniel Hickey produced the goods to twice deny David Cronin. With 8 minutes remaining, Daniel O’Donovan finally brought Town in from the cold when he deceived friend and foe alike to produce a left foot effort to secure the equaliser after the Mahon defence had got into a tangle. In the dying moments Stevie Collins should have put Town back in front, after Martin Collins and James Galvin had worked hard to create the opening, while David Cronin again brought the best out of Daniel Hickey in a hectic finish that had everything but a match winning goal. Teams;

Dunmanway Town; D Hickey, A Hickey, S Hayes, D Healy, M Collins, W O’Donovan, C McSweeney, J Galvin, S Lordan, D O’Donovan, S Collins. Subs; M Carroll, B O’Donovan, V Healy.

Crossmahon; E Twomey, C Crowley, D Wilson, D Heffernan, I Houlihan, D Cronin, A O’Sullivan, C O’Donovan, P Murphy, T Twomey, B O’Callaghan. Subs; P Jennings, J Kelly.

Referee; Richard Conroy.

Dunmanway Town 1-5 Leeside

Dunmanway Town played at home last Sunday 18th November against Leeside and came up against a strong Leeside team.Town were missing some very good players and this and some mistakes combined in a defeat with the game finishing 5-1 to Leeside.Town down 1-0 after 15 minutes and 2-0 after 30 minutes and then 3-0 before half time with Towns only reply from Brian Mc Carthy to make it 3-1 to Leeside at half time.Leeside scored again early in the second half and confirmed their victory with 15 minutes left to make the final score 5-1. Town are still bottom of the table but 3 points would take them out of the relegation battle so all players are asked to turn up for the game next Sunday when Town play Timoleague away at 2.30 and players are asked to be at the Parkway at 1.00p.m.

Dunmanway Town 4-2 Sullane

Dunmanway Town played last Sunday 11th November against Sullane. Town who took the lead early after 15 minutes with a beautiful volley from the new signing Stephen “Dapple” Collins. This is the way the 1st half finished. With town dominating the play but failing to finish Sullane off, things changed when Town lost the ball in their own half and conceded a goal and shortly after conceded another to make it 1-2 to Sullane. Town then woke up and battled hard to be awarded a penalty and up stepped Dapple to notch his 2nd of the game and 4th in 2 games. Sean Farr then scored to make it 3-2 to town and in the final minutes Mike Carroll scored to make it 4-2.

Next Sunday Town are at home to Leeside at 2.30p.m.

DRINAGH 3 DUNMANWAY TOWN 3

Town played Drinagh this Sunday morning 4th November in Drinagh it was a case of League Leades Versus Lowly Town as one newspaper called it and even though we were missing a few players we still were able to put out a good side with new signing Stephen Collins starting his 1st game.

The game started badly when drinagh were winning the ball in midfield and after 15 minutes they went ahead to make it 1-0. Not long after this, more of the same again in midfield from Gavin Daly who hit a shot that would have taken our goalkeepers hands off to make it 2-0.

At half time it was 2-0 and we made some changes putting Sean Farr up front and bringing Brian Mc Carthy back to the right hand side of midfield and Colm Mc Sweeney in the centre of Midfield and this showed immediate effects.The midfield seemed more solid and now defended better and were still putting a few attacks together at the Drinagh Goal.

After 17 minutes Towns attacking paid off when the debutant Stephen (Dapple) Collins scored to make it 2-1.

2 minutes later Town were back in the game with a fine strike from outside the box from Paddy Connolly to make it 2-2.

Not long again after that town were given a penalty when Stephen Collins was pulled down and Sean Farr stepped up to add to his Penalty tally only to slip on his approch and hit the ball stright at the keeper to deny town the lead.

But with town now taking the game to the League leaders it was'nt long when town took the lead when Stephen (Dapple) scored a fine solo goal down the right to beat a drinagh player and hit the ball stright across the goal at a narrow angle to beat the rinagh Goalkeeper to make it 2-3 to Town. After being down 2-0 and coming back Town would have settled for this but a former Town player now playing for Drinagh had something to say about the final result when Stephen Kearney went 1 on 1 with the Town keeper and put it through the keepers legs to make it level again at 3-3. This is the way the game finished.

This was Towns best display all season and fully deserved to claim something from the game.

Man Of the Match Stephen Collins

Team: Daniel Hickey,Alan Hickey,William Donovan,Sean Hayes,Denis Healy (Captain),Mike Carroll,Colm Mc Sweeney,Paddy Connolly, Sean Farr, Stephen Collins,Brain Mc Carthy.

 

DUNMANWAY TOWN 0 RIVERSIDE 0

Dunmanway Town played a very young Riverside team last Sunday afternoon and came away with their 1st point of the season.

In a game that if Damien Carroll scored one he would have scored many when he had chance after chance.

Damien who played very well and is now finding his form and getting the chances, this he must credit it to the team who are now playing better and creating many chances. Sean Farr also played very well who took over the goalkeeper gloves in the first half and pulled off a few good saves. Later Mike O Donoghue( Rodger) took over in goal and also done very well. There was a great push for the last 20 minutes when Sean Farr came out and Town were very unlucky not to come away with the 3 points..

Town had most of play and had many chances only for luck not to be on their side on the day.

Town still are on the foot of the table with one point but in the last 2 weeks you can feel that the good times are soon to come.

Team Sean Farr, Alan Hickey, Martin Collins, Sean Hayes, Denis Healy,, Brian Mc Carthy,William O Donovan, Sean Lordan,Colm Mc Sweeney, Damien Carroll, Mike (Rodger) O Donoghue. Subs Mike Carroll for (William O Donovan),Barry O Donovan, Brian Murray.

Town play away next Sunday to Drinagh at 11 a.m.

Check out The Beamish Cup Semi Final Report on the Southern Star here

Dunmanway Town Beamish Cup 1/4 Final Team

Team Front from Left to Right Kieran Farr,Paddy Connolly,Darragh Farr,Denis Healy,Stephen Kearney,Alan Hickey,Damien Carroll,Barry "Ton Ton" O Donovan Captain.

Back Left To Right Kevin Crowley (Coach),James Galvin,Donal O Sullivan,Michael O Regan,Pat Collins,Mike Lordan,Michael Carroll,Colm Mc Sweeney,Pat "Zoom" O Sullivan (Manager)

Dunmanway Junior Team 1999-2000

Team back row from left. Micky Farr, Michael O Donoghue, Stephen Mohan, Stephen Kearney, Donal O Sullivan, Micheal Fehily, Brian Mc Carthy, Martin Collins and Paddy Connolly.

Front row from left Kevin O Driscoll, Barry O Donovan, Darragh Farr, Colm Mc Sweeney and Denis Healy

dunmanwaytown_soccer@esatclear.ie

johnbuckley@westcorkleague.com

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