Muskerry wins for Blarney and Ballinora

THE Junior Hurling Championship games in Muskerry last weekend got results so all the first round games have now been decided.

The first game at Coachford on Saturday last saw the second strings of Blarney and Ballincollig in action and the former who contested last year’s Junior Final were fancied to have the edge. They certainly had the upper hand in the first half when the were not flattered to lead by 1-6 to 0-2 at the short whistle.

A rearranged Ballincollig side improved considerably, however, when the action resumed and the second period proved to be very entertaining. Ballincollig had the arrears down to the minimum entering the final quarter and the game was in the balance until the experienced Mark Cremin crashed home a major two minutes from full time to clinch victory for Blarney.

The vital factor in giving last year’s Championship finalists victory was their greater power in attack. They had two quality forwards in Mark Cremin and David Crémen who were responsible for securing all of their scores. Ballincollig had good performers in Conor Sexton, Peter O’Neill, Brian Cotter and Young James O’Leary.

In the second game Ballinora who are the side most fancied to bring Cloughduv’s reign as Champions to and end were too good for Donoughmore and experienced players, Conor Brosnan and Michael Murphy were to the fore front in their victory.

The draw for the second chance encounters is: