Beamish Cup - Round 1
Sunday 6th January
vs. Harbour United (Away)
Won 4 - 1

On Sunday last, Clonakilty AFC made the trip to to Inchinattin to face Beamish Division Two side Harbour United in the first round of the Beamish Cup. The visitors put in a tremendous team performance and emerged with a well deserved 4-1 to safely book their passage into the second round of the most prestigious West Cork knockout competition.

Clonakilty AFC made a couple of changes from their previous outing, a 3-0 home victory over Baltimore in the quarter finals of the Carling League Cup. Shane Buttimer, Martin White and Liam Anthony White were each on target for AFC on that occasion in a less than convincing performance. Shane Buttimer moved to centre back in place of the injured Ger McCarthy. Michal Ardelli made a welcome return to midfield to continue his fruitful partnership with Colin Lynch.

Piotr Stankiewicz dropped to the subs bench as Noel Jordan returned to the starting eleven to partner Martin White up front. The remainder of the team was the same from the previous outing at home to Baltimore. The substitutes bench was made up of Stankiewicz, Jonathan Hunt, Declan Murphy, Conal O'Donovan and Mike Sullivan.

Harbour United were playing in their first ever Beamish Cup tie, having only joined the West Cork League at the beginning of the 2007-08 season. AS with any new club, they were finding the going tough in a highly competitive Second Division. The Beamish Cup offered the newcomers an opportunity to forget their current plight in the bottom half of the league and also gave them a welcome opportunity to face Premier Division opposition.

Clonakilty AFC entered the game on the back of a tremendous run in both League and Cup competition. Defeat to Dunmanway Town in the Beamish Premier Division Cup (on penalties) was their only loss in the past nine league and cup games. Goals were flying in from all directions with the rotating forward line of White, Jordan and Stankiewicz weighing in with the majority of efforts.

Whilst the Beamish Premier League title is still mathematically possible for AFC, it is unlikely anyone will catch high-flying Skibbereen. The Beamish Cup is a possible trophy for Clonakilty AFC provided they keep knocking in the goals and enjoy an injury free second half to the season.

Clonakilty AFC ran out eventual 4-1 winners after a much improved display from their last outing, a 3-0 win at home to Baltimore in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup. The improved overall team performance was welcome as were the four goals scored on a tricky surface in a game played in poor weather conditions.

Noel Jordan celebrated his return to the starting eleven with a well taken brace of goals. Captain Martin White continued his fantastic season by managing to find the net for the fifth consecutive game. Aidan Pendlebury has been in fine form on the wing for AFC in recent weeks and he capped another influential display with a cracking goal.

Disappointingly the AFC defence conceded a late goal, thus preventing them from keeping a clean sheet for the second consecutive game. The visitors defence enjoyed a good afternoon, with the ever dependable Ian O'Driscoll and Shane Buttimer effectively dealing with the Harbour United attacks. Michal Ardelli and Colin Lynch dove-tailed nicely in the centre of the park in a workmanlike AFC performance.

Bright sunshine greeted both teams at the beginning of this eagerly anticipated cup-tie. The Inchydoney playing surface was heavy in places but otherwise excellent condition considering the amount of recent rainfall. The first division pace-setters settled quickly with Kevin Hourihane and Shane Drummey looking lively up front. Despite the advantage of a stiff breeze Clonakilty struggled to make an impact in a dull opening period. Bay enjoyed the majority of early possession but failed to breach a determined Clon rearguard expertly marshaled by Ian O'Driscoll and Nick Harrison. Paul Drummey began to impose his presence on the game with a series of telling passes in the centre of the park. Chances were at a premium in a disappointing opening 10 minutes as both sides cancelled one another out. Brian O'Sullivan was excelling in midfield for the visitors while Donal O'Shea and Stephen Hayden snuffed out all the early Clonakilty attacks.

The Clon AFC midfield duo of Michal Ardelli and Shane Buttimer began to take control as the home side finally began to push forward. The first clear cut opening of the game fell to Clonakilty when Martin White clipped the Bay Rovers crossbar with an exquisite free kick after 12 minutes. The hosts should have gone ahead 10 minutes later when a Donal O'Donoghue throw-in caught the Bay defence napping. Martin White picked up the loose ball and crossed deep into the Bay penalty area where Noel Jordan flashed a terrific header agonisingly wide of the upright. An unfortunate injury to DJ Murray forced the Bay Rovers defender to retire early from the game and the introduction of substitute Brian Murphy.


The persistent Clonakilty pressure told in the 20th minute when the home side finally broke the deadlock. A superb run and cross from Aidan Pendlebury was met on the edge of the six yard box by the unmarked Noel Jordan who made no mistake with a neat finish. Rovers’ response was instant when Shane Drummey beat the Clonakilty offside trap only to be denied by the vigilant Paddy Horan. Nick Harrison continued to shine at centre back for Clonakilty with a series of important interceptions and clearances. The visitors continued to push forward in search of an equaliser with the energetic Brian O’Sullivan and Dermot O’Connell each asking questions of the Clonakilty back four. The home side were indebted to the alert Ian O’Driscoll for a brave block on a goal-bound Shane Drummey shot to prevent a certain equaliser. This full blooded cup tie continued to ebb and flow with Bay Rovers determined attacks being repelled by the hard working Clonakilty defence.

Bay Rovers deservedly drew level in the 27th minute when a pin-point Brian O’Sullivan cross was expertly headed into the bottom corner of the net by Shane Drummey. Michael O’Sullivan almost gave Rovers a 2-1 lead shortly afterwards but his angled drive was deflected just past the post. Just when it seemed Rovers were going to take control of the game Clonakilty showed their class and stunned their opponents with a goal out of nothing.

A Martin White corner on the half hour caused panic in the Rovers defence and Aidan Pendlebury reacted quickest to force the ball over the line despite the best efforts of Danny Murray in the Rovers goal. AFC finished the half the stronger but wasted a succession of chances to add to their tally with Michal Ardelli, Shane Buttimer and Donal O’Donoghue all going close before the interval.

The second half was a scrappy affair as both sides tired due to the heavy underfoot conditions. Rovers pushed hard for another equaliser but it was the home side that scored next and what an unbelievable goal it was. Rovers failed to clear a corner and when Noel Jordan flicked the ball back into the area Martin White executed a stunning overhead kick and arrowed the ball into the top corner for a 3-1 lead.

It was a superb goal befitting such a talented player who is enjoying another tremendous season for Clonakilty AFC. To their credit Bay Rovers continued to press forward in an effort to get back in the game. The visitors fell foul of the referee on a number of occasions in their over-exuberance and a series of yellow cards were brandished.

Clonakilty found themselves 3-1 ahead going into the final quarter of the game but began defending too deep and inviting the visitors to attack. It proved a fatal decision when substitute Brian Murphy drove a rocket into the bottom corner of the net to leave a single goal between the sides with 25 minutes still remaining. Clonakilty refused to panic and pushed forward by the exceptional Noel Jordan, conjured up a fourth and decisive goal.

Daniel Herod was introduced as a second half sub for the home side and the flying winger latched on to a slide rule pass from Jordan and burst clear of the Rovers defence. Herod steadied himself and coolly slotted the ball past Danny Murray from the edge of the box to seal a 4-2 victory and send an ecstatic home crowd into raptures. Rovers were reduced to ten men shortly before the final whistle to further compound their misery. The visitors kept pressing forward and should have scored a third goal before full time with Shane Drummey guilty of wasting a series of opportunities.