Ballygiblin claim famous county title

opening goal a minute later when George Pendle and Sean O’Sullivan combined well to set up the impressive Cathal O’Mahony who netted that helped them hold a 1-3 to 0-4 lead by the end of the first quarter the points by Mark Keane, Sean O’Sullivan and Ian O’Riordan for their respective sides.

As the half went on Castlelyons quickly got to grips. The outstanding Keith O’Leary reeled off the next three points that moved them in front again 0-7 to 1-3. For the rest of half both teams enjoyed their moments.

George Pendle (2) Sean O’Sullivan and Cathal O’Mahony had points for Ballygiblin who moved three clear by the 27th minute. Cathal O’Mahony came close to a second goal soon after when his attempt at goal went narrowly wide.

However, Castlelyons regrouped in the closing moments. Niall O’Leary set up Barry Murphy for a fine point with Keith O’Leary also having a free for the East Cork side who trailed at the interval by 1-7 to 0-9.

On the changeover the game really came to life. Castlelyons set the early running with James Kearney denied by a fine save by impressive Ballygiblin keeper Kieran Doherty who made some vital clearances off his line over the course of the game.

By the 39th minute they were back on parity at 1-8 to 0-11 each. Ballygiblin regained the lead two minutes later when the hard-working Sean O’Sullivan cut in along the end line and picked out Cathal O’Mahony who billowed the net.

Ballygiblin were doing well at this stage with Lorcan Finn, Killian Roche, Cathal O’Mahony Sean and Cathal O’Sullivan to the fore and entering the last quarter they moved into a 2-10 to 0-11 lead.

Over the next couple of minutes both teams traded a point before Castlelyons thundered their way back into the contest when Niall O’Leary scored a great goal. This was following by a massive free by Keith O’Leary from back in his own half backline that closed the margin to a point 2-11 to 1-13 as the game headed into the last ten minutes.

In a nail-biting finish George Pendle with a free restored a two point lead. Castlelyons refused to panic with Niall O’Leary, James Kearney, Jamie O’Leary, Pearse Varner, Barry Murphy and Keith O’Leary featuring strongly and two points in as many minutes by Keith O’Leary got them back on level terms at 2-12 to 1-15.

In the last four minutes both teams were off target once with Ballygiblin getting the all important match winning score when team captain George Pendle sent over a close in free as they held on for a close win.

After the game Eoin O’Connor on behalf of the Rebel Óg Board presented the cup to the winning captain George Pendle amongst the large Ballygiblin following. It marked a marvellous year for many members of the panel winning the AII Ireland Senior B FC with Mitchelstown CBS while many of the panel were also members of the victorious Mitchelstown Premier MFC 2 side that clinched Co honour only two weeks ago.