Shanballymore claim Division 3 title

Shanballymore 0-12 Kilshannig 0-11

FOLLOWING a thrilling finish to the Cavanagh’s Fermoy Div 3 HL final at Doneraile on Wednesday evening an injury time point by Darren Roche saw Shanballymore clinch this years title by the narrowest of margins.

The opening stages saw a youthful Kilshannig side aided by the breeze set out their early intentions. Diarmuid O’Sullivan reeled off three points inside the opening nine minutes that moved them 0-3 to no score ahead.

Shanballymore quickly settled. Paul Burke had their first score a point in the 11th minute. Moments later good work involving Dave Twomey and Richard Hallihan resulted in Vincent Burke scoring a good point 0-3 to 0-2.

However, for long periods of this half Kilshannig looked the better side with Diarmuid Finnegan, Frank McCarthy, Richie Ryan, Jerome Murphy and Diarmuid O’Sullivan causing many problems.

Colin Twomey had a point from a free before a good solo run by Frank McCarthy eventually saw Richie Ryan with a long range effort make it 0-5 to 0-2. The remainder of the half was very much point for point.

Kilshannig found scores much easier to come by whereas Shanballymore depended on the free taking duties of Paul Burke to stay in touch. Paul Burke (3) David Ruby, Richie Ryan and James O’Hanlon traded points before the half time whistle as Kilshannig held a 0-8 to 0-5 interval advantage.

On the changeover both teams were quick off the mark with Paul Burke and James O’Hanlon on target by the 35th minute 0-9 to 0-6. In this half it was Shanballymore who created most of the running with Jonathan Dennehy, Charlie McCarthy, Kenneth Barry, Vincent Burke, Darren Roche, Paul Burke and Richard McCarthy who was later named ‘man of the match’ turning in huge displays.

Kenneth Barry and Jack Lyons (free) traded a point before Shanballymore reduced the deficit to the narrowest of margins as the game headed into the last quarter. Paul Burke added another point from a free before a huge clearance by Richard McCarthy found substitute Dylan O’Callaghan who was upended in the square and a penalty awarded.

The penalty by Paul Burke was saved by the Kilshannig keeper Kieran O’Connor on the line at the expense of a point 0-10 to 0-9. In a gripping last quarter the game really came to life.

Jack Lyons with a pointed free moved Kilshannig two clear by the 48th minute. Shanballymore regrouped once again. Five minutes later Paul Burke with a free left the minimum between the teams.

Over the next six minutes both sides created their fair share of chances that they failed to take. The next score came in the 59th minute when Paul Burke got the equalising score from a ‘65’.

With extra time looming both teams now went in search of a match winning score. Indeed in injury time it was Shanballymore that took the lead for the only time in the game when a great movement involving Jonathan Dennehy, Paul Palmer, Richard Hallinan and Paul Burke saw Darren Roche pick up possession to get the match winning score from tight angle.

Kilshannig now went all out to get back on terms but time was not on their side with Shanballymore emerging close victors. After the game team captain Paul Burke accepted the Cavanagh’s Fermoy sponsored cup from Barry Aherne Avondhu GAA Chairman in the presence of a large Shanballymore following.

SHANBALLYMORE: J Linehan, C McCarthy, J Dennehy, A Dennehy, P Palmer, R McCarthy, N Barry, R Hallinan, K Barry 0-1, D Roche 0-1, V Burke 0-1, D Twomey, P Burke 0-9 (0-6f, 0-1 pen, 0-1 ‘65’), M O’Donovan, J Burke Subs: E Fitzgerald for D Twomey, D O’Callaghan for M O’Donovan, S Cronin for J Burke

KILSHANNIG: K O’Connor, E Browne, P Cronin, T Ryan, J Murphy, L Casey, D McCarthy, D Finnegan, F McCarthy, C Twomey 0-1f, R Ryan 0-2, D Clogan, J O’Hanlon 0-2 (0-1f), D O’Sullivan 0-3 (0-1f), D Ruby 0-1 Subs: J Lyons 0-2f for D Ruby, J Quinn for R Ryan, D McAuliffe for E Browne (inj), C Sexton for J O’Hanlon, T Brennan for D Clogan

REFEREE: Eoin Walsh (Dromina)