Kilshannig hurlers win league title
was picked up by Kevin O’Flynn who sent over from long range. In their next attack Liam Casey and Cian Nagle played leading roles when Trevor O’Regan was on hand to finish to the net and in the process give Kilshannig the lead for the first time 1-4 to 1-3. However their lead was short lived with Mallow making a great recovery from this setback with Pat Healy, Cian O’Neill, Michael Maher, Conor Stokes, Cian O’Riordan and Fergal McCormack most effective.
In a seven minute spell Mallow reeled off six points by Michael Maher, Cian O’Neill, Cian O’Riordan, Fergal McCormack, Conor Stokes and Rory Downey that moved them into a 1-9 to 1-5 lead by the 23rd minute. Try as they might they were unable to build on their lead with Kilshannig staging a good fightback before the interval. Kevin O’Flynn who was named ‘man of the match’ reeled off two points from frees while Roddy O’Mahony also chipped in with a point from general play as they closed the deficit at the interval to a mere point when trailing by 1-9 to 1-8 at the break.
The second half was a thriller with the lead changing hands on a number of occasions. Kevin O’Flynn restored parity at 1-9 within seconds of the throw in. Fergal McCormack and Kevin O’Flynn traded two pointed frees by the 38th minute that had proceedings tied at 1-10 and 1-11 apiece. The first score from play in this half came two minutes later when Damian Murphy pointed from distance. Fergal McCormack responded with a ‘65’ with Kilshannig edging in front when Cian Nagle set up Kevin O’Flynn for a fine point at the three quarter stage.
Mallow’s response was swift – good work by Jimmy Glynn resulted in a well taken point by Brian O’Riordan that had the sides deadlocked for the seventh time at 1-13 each. With a league title at stake both teams battled hard for supremacy in the last 12 minutes. Fergal McCormack with a free in the 52nd minute helped Mallow hit the front but it was cancelled out two minutes later when Cian Nagle and Diarmuid O’Sullivan combined for Kevin O’Flynn who sent over from a difficult angle. Moments later the Glantane side took the lead they would not relinquish when Diarmuid O’Sullivan pointed.
Mallow went in search of an equalising score but instead it was Kilshannig that moved four clear at the end of normal time when a delivery by Kevin O’Flynn deceived everyone when it made its way to the Mallow net. Fergal McCormack narrowed the margin to just a goal in injury but it was Kilshannig who had some good displays from Killian O’Hanlon, Conor Murphy, Damian Murphy, Roddy O’Mahony, Cian Nagle, Liam Casey, Trevor O’Regan and Kevin O’Flynn that held on for a close win in the end.
After the game Finbarr O’Hanlon on behalf of sponsors Cavanagh’s Fermoy presented the cup to the winning captain Michael Twomey in the presence of North Cork Board Secretary John Courtney. BALLYHOOLY are through to their first ever JAHC final. On Saturday evening in Kilworth before a large attendance they overcame Ballygiblin by a two point margin.
Ballygiblin had two goals in the opening 10 minutes that gave them a comfortable lead 2-1 to 0-1. Ballyhooly battled hard, they had an outstanding free taker in Gerry O’Connor.
Others to the fore were Darragh O’Reilly, Fergal O’Connell, James Roche, Peter Aherne, Sean and Fintan Linehan. Wind assisted in this first half Ballyhooly with points by Gerry O’Connor, Darragh O’Reilly, Sean Linehan, Fergal O’Connell and James Roche were on level terms 0-8 to 2-2 after 20 minutes. Joseph O’Sullivan pointed a Ballygiblin free with Fergal O’Connell levelling.
Ballygiblin keeper Christopher Noonan made a series of fine saves during the opening half. Gerry O’Connor and Joseph O’Sullivan exchanged a pointed free with the sides level at the break 2-4 to 0-10.
One felt Ballygiblin would push on in the second half wind assisted. Instead it was Ballyhooly who dominated, they scored another 10 points against the wind. Gerry O’Connor opened with a point. Good play by Brian O’Sullivan led to a fine point by Shane Beston. The latter gained possession from the puckout and added a fine point. Gerry O’Connor levelled in the 37th minute 2-6 to 0-12. Ballygiblin had their third goal when Brian and Joseph O’Sullivan worked well for Shane Beston who struck the net 3-6 to 0-12.
Ballyhooly made a master move they put Sean Linehan to centre back with James Roche going to the ‘40. Gerry O’Connor and impressive Fergal O’Connell had a point each with Brian O’Sullivan having a great point for Ballygiblin 3-7 to 0-14. Gerry O’Connor pointed another free with Peter Aherne levelling for the seventh and last time in the 47th minute 3-7 to 0-16.
From here on Ballyhooly pushed on. James Roche gave the winners the lead. Gerry O’Connor with another free opened up a two point lead.
Ballyhooly edged three points clear in the 54th minute when Gerry O’Connor and Denis Kiely worked well for Fergal O’Connell who sent over. Joseph O’Sullivan pointed a free with Gerry O’Connor with his 11th point making it 0-20 to 3-8.
In injury time Ballygiblin tried hard to secure a goal to force extra time. Ballyhooly defence held firm.
Deep in injury time Joseph O’Sullivan completed the scoring with a pointed free.