Senior Hurling Championship Rd.2 Report

Seniors Win Local Derby.

It was ‘Last Chance Saloon’ for our Senior Hurling Team last weekend. After a scorching week of glorious sunshine with soaring temperatures we faced near neighbours Castlelyons in Round Two of the Cork County SHC. Having reached the County Final last year our first round defeat at the hands of Killeagh was a huge disappointment.

Our opponents Castlelyons went under to Sars in Round One so there was a lot at stake last Saturday evening at Pairc Naomh Caitrionaigh, Ballynoe. Though we are next-door neighbours Castlelyons and ourselves haven’t met that often at adult hurling level. Since we reformed in 1964 this was only our sixth championship clash, the others being in 1965, 1969, 1987, 1991 and 1997.

After the heat wave of the previous five days the weather took a turn for the worst on Saturday. Cold rain and wind swept over the picturesque Ballynoe grounds with the temperature barely reaching double figures. Despite the inclement conditions there was a sizeable crowd present when Dave Copps threw in the sliotar. Castlelyons were quick off the blocks and Eamonn Fitzgerald had the opening point. Michael Collins soon equalised before Timmy McCarthy with a superb point put Castlelyons ahead in the 12^th minute. Daniel Dooley equalised and it was 0 – 2 apiece.

With the aid of the breeze Castlelyons had plenty possession but hit a lot of wides – mainly due to our backs putting them under constant pressure. A brace of pointed frees from Barry Johnson put us 4/2 ahead. Our 6 backs in front of a confident Dinny Fitzgerald kept a tight rein on the Castlelyons forwards while up front Donal Ryan and Michael Collins were a constant threat. A goal from Donal Ryan was followed by another white flag from a free by Barry Johnson. These two scores gave us a 1 – 5 to 0 – 2 lead and considering we’d been against the elements ‘twas a good lead. Nevertheless everyone present knew well that a goal for Castlelyons could quickly change the complexion of the contest.

Padraig Murphy and Barry Johnson lorded it at midfield and continued to improve as the second half went on. Three points from play by Daniel Dooley, Michael Collins and Padraig Murphy stretched our lead. Brian Murphy at centre-back was ably assisted by Michael Kearney and his brother James and remarkably our defence conceded just one point in the second half. Another free from Barry put us up 1 9 to 0 –2. Better was to follow as goals from Donal and Colm O Keeffe put us 3 9 to 0-2 ahead. Castlelyons had a point to bring their tally to 0 –3. Dinny pointed a free from 120 yards to finish the scoring(a replica of his point v Mallow in Ballyhooley in 2003) leaving us winners by 3 –10 to 0 – 3. This was a scoreline that no one could have predicted.

Essentially a great team performance the starting fifteen as well as subs Terry, Stephen and Niall all played their part. Though Sean and Jerome didn’t score they were very involved in a lot of moves. A great win but we wont get carried away with the result. Well done to all the panel of players and the management team.

We are now through to the third round of the Championship where we will meet famed Blackrock. This game was to be played next Sunday but as Bishop O Brien N.S. Bartlemy have a major fundraiser on Sunday afternoon the fixture now goes ahead on Sunday June 28^th in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Team and scorers; D. Fitzgerald, A. Collins, B. Walsh, T. Moloney, M. Kearney, B.Murphy Capt, J. Murphy, P. Murphy (0-1), B. Johnson (0-4, frees) S. Ryan,. JU. O Driscoll, M./Collins (0-2), C. O Keefe (1-0), D.Ryan (2-0), D. Dooley (0-2); Subs, T. Broderick, N. Fitzgerald & S. Boyce. It’s great to be out of the Relegation battleground and facing into the Third Round of the Championship. We will be complete underdogs against the Rockies but its good to be there. We also won two Senior Hurling League points for this game as well as a place in the Abernethy Cup semi-final.

Teams V Castlelyons down the years.

1965 JBHC semi/final in Riverstown, lost 5 – 6 to 3 – 9.

Pat Hoskins, Paddy O Sullivan, Paddy O Regan, Tony Walsh, John Meade, Michael Murphy, Dick Shelley, Willie Sheehan, Mattie O Sullivan, Seanie Barry, Eddie Barry, Jimmy O Brine Denis Canty, Gerald O Sullivan, Tony O Bren, Subs Mike Gubbins, Pat Sheehan and Eamonn Hoskins – incidentally Pat Walsh, one of our selectors met Denis Canty recently in Tramore, he’s in fine fettle and asking about his Rovers team-mates.

1969 JAHC semi final in Riverstown, won by 4 – 9 to 3- 6.

John Gettings, Tony Walsh, John Ryan, Donie Murphy, Paudie Murphy, Batty Hogan, John Meade, Pat Sheehan, Sean Murphy, Tom O Riordan, Seanie Barry, Eddy Barry, Frank Meade, Johnny Barry, Michael Murphy.

1987,JAHC at Ballynoe, lost 3 – 10 to 0-9.

Pat Hoskins, Maurice Kearney, Liam Cahill, Larry Kearney, Tom Kearney, Maurice Hazlewood, Anthony Cahill, Seamus O Sullivan. Paudie Collins, Tom Mulcahy, John A.Murphy, Dermot Johnson, Denis Ahern, Denis Mulcahy. Subs Noel Murphy, Jimmy Johnson, Tommy O Flynn.

1991, JBHC, in Lisgoold drew BR 0 –14, CL 0-14

M.O Flynn, M. Kearney, L. Cahill, L. Kearney, A. Cahill, D. Ahern, J.A. Murphy, N. Twomey, B.O Connell, B. Hogan M. Hogan, J. Barry, T. Mulcahy, O. O Connor, B. O Connor. Subs A. O Flynn, C. Howard.

Replay in Ballynoe, Castlelyons 1 – 7, Bride Rovers 1- 5.

M. O Flynn, M. Kearney, L. Cahill, M. Walsh, L. Kearney, D. Ahern, M.Hogan, N. Twomey, A. Cahill, T. Broderick, T.Mulcahy, B.Hogan, A. O Flynn, O. O Connor, B. O Riordan. Subs, D.Johnson, K. Quinlan, J.J. Barry. (For the drawn game we wore the Hill jersies and the Ballyhooley colours for the replay)

1997, East Cork JAHC Final in Midleton, lost 1 –16 to 0 –9.

A. O Flynn, A. Cahill, A.Broderick, N. Fitzgerald, P. Barry, B. Murphy, B. McHugh, P. Murphy, D.Ryan, T. Mulcahy, J.Murphy, P. Walsh, J. O Driscoll, T. Broderick, M..Hogan. Sub D. Johnson.

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Senior Hurling Championship Rd.2 Report