O’Mahony fires Ballybiglin into Under 21 final

Ballygiblin 2-14 Fermoy 0-14

BALLYGIBLIN are back in the Ballylough Milling Under 21 A HC following their two goal win over Fermoy at Araglin on Tuesday evening.

This championship on a round robin system came down to the last game. Kilworth are already through to the final but there needs to be a play off between the other 3 teams who won one game each, Harbour Rovers, Fermoy and Ballygiblin. Fermoy looked sharp in the opening minutes.

Aidan Donegan had an early point for the winners with Fermoy adding two points by Eric Delaney with Eoin Lacey putting Shane Aherne in for a very good point. Mark Keane kept Ballygiblin in touch with a ‘65.

The winners had their first goal when a puckout by Christopher Noonan found Sean O’Sullivan who placed Cathal O’Mahony for a goal 1-2 to 0-3. Fermoy rallied well from this set back and rapid points by Adam Creed and Shane O’Keeffe had them level.

They were off target from frees before a foul on Mark Keane saw the same player edge Ballygiblin ahead. Great play by Lorcan Finn found Cathal O’Mahony who struck a great point. O’Mahony followed with another point under pressure as Ballygiblin moved a goal clear 1-5 to 0- 5.

Fermoy forced a close in free for a foul on Shane Aherne. Shane O’Keeffe’s goal bound effort was well saved by Christopher Noonan with the rebound going over. Good play in midfield by Dean Barry led to a great point by Cathal O’Mahony.

Fermoy finished the half strong. Greg Lardner worked well for Adam Creed who pointed. In injury time Shane O’Keeffe with a free left just a point between the sides at the break 1-6 to 0- 8.

On the resumption Shane Aherne worked well for Eoin Lacey who levelled. Ballygiblin gained supremacy with Sean O’Sullivan, Lorcan Finn, Dean Barry, Mark Keane, Cathal O’Mahony and keeper Chris Noonan outstanding. Mark Keane pointed a ‘65 with Lorcan Finn making a great clearance to Cathal O’Mahony who struck a well taken goal 2-7 to 0- 9.

A foul on Dean Barry led to a pointed free by George Pendle. In the 37th minute Shane O’Keeffe pointed a Fermoy free. Good play by Sean O’Sullivan led to a Mark Keane point as the winners moved five clear 2-9 to 0-10.

Shane O’Keeffe (free) and George Pendle swapped a point.

The winners edged six points clear when Lorcan Finn cleared to Cathal O’Mahony who struck a marvellous point. Fermoy battled to the end. They had a point by Adam Creed after good play by Dale Dawson.

At the end of the third quarter Dean Barry made a great run from midfield and was fouled on the 21. George Pendle pointed the free and they were six points clear once more.

Fermoy went in search of a goal, but the winners defence and Christopher Noonan in goal held firm.

Mark Keane gave them a seven point lead in the 48th minute, while Shane O’Keeffe (free) and Cathal O’Mahony exchanged a point 2-14 to 0-13 by the 52nd minute. Ballygiblin lost Mark Keane to a second yellow with six minutes remaining.

In these last minutes Fermoy came close to a goal, but Noonan made two massive saves. David Lardner completed the scoring with a 63rd minute pointed ‘65. The final whistle followed.

BALLYGIBLIN: C Noonan, K Roche, M Lewis, T Finn, C O’Sullivan, L Finn, S Doyle, S O’Sullivan, D Barry, D Reidy-Price, M Keane 0-5 (0-2f 0-2 ‘65’s) A Donegan 0-1, G Pendle 0-3 (0-2f) C O’Mahony 2-5, K Dollion Subs: J Lewis for T Finn, J Norris for K Dollion, J Mullins for D Reidy-Price

FERMOY: J Wales, L Aherne, R Sergeant, J Scannell, G Lardner, R O’Sullivan, S McCarthy, S Aherne 0-1, N Collins, E Delaney 0-2 (0-1f, 0-1 ‘65’) C Hurley, E Lacey 0-1, S O’Keeffe 0-6 (0-4f), D Lardner 0-1 ‘65, A Creed 0-3 Subs: D Dawson for R Sergeant, D O’Flynn for C Hurley J Molloy for N Collins

REFEREE: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth)