Newmarket crowned first time champions
Banteer 1-17 Kilbrin 0-14
BANTEER firmly established as the new kingpins in the Kanturk Co-Op Mart Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship that conjured defending holders Kilbrin to runner up place at Newmarket on Saturday.
It may not had been the most spectacular of performances in terms of quality and skill but clearly there was no shortage of motivation in Banteer’s game towards regaining the title last won in 2006.
At the end of the hour, the new champions offered the greater desire and hunger to take custody of the John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup. Having lost to Kilbrin in all of their six previous meetings in finals, Banteer broke new ground and put previous disappointments behind them for a worthy win.
For their part, Kilbrin could have little complaints as their overall performance levels were well down on what we have come to expect from a side that has dominated this championship for greater part of the current decade.
A tentative opening 10 minutes saw both sides off the mark, the teams content to trade pointed frees to Denis Roche and Stephen O’Reilly. With defences on top, scoring opportunities were a premium, O’Reilly did contribute from play only for Banteer captain Richard O’Connor and David Murphy to follow suit.
At key stages, Banteer displayed the greater understanding and cohesion, the play of Martin Kearney, O’Connor and Colm Coughlan ever so focused in defence, Brendan Weathers and Kevin Tarrant played plenty of ball from midfield.
Elsewhere man of the match, David Murphy demonstrated his worth to the side as did talisman Denis Roche supported by Tadgh Sexton. Some positive signs for Kilbrin approaching half time, O’Reilly and Shane Crowley registered points to trail 0-8 to 0-6.
Kilbrin cause wasn’t helped by the withdrawel of ‘keeper Paudie O’Callaghan to injury at the interval break. Again Banteer offered the greater urgency on the restart, Tarrant and Coughlan splitting the uprights.
For a spell, Kilbrin did their best to plot a way out of trouble thanks to the involvement of Cillian Buttimer, William Egan, Crowley and O’Reilly.
Sloppy finished and pillars in the Banteer defence limited Kilbrin yet points from O’Reilly and Shane Crowley saw the defending champions reasonably placed, behind 0-10 to 0-8 at the three quarter mark.
However Kilbrin were in serious trouble from the 46th min., David McAulliffe delivered a teasing cross from the left, full forward Brian O’Keeffe directed the ball into place for Eamon O’Flynn to scoop home the final’s lone goal.
Murphy followed up to point to put day- light between the pair. Kilbrin attempted a re- covery, O’Reilly and Crowley posting white flags only for Roche to answer back to back at the opposite end. All very satisfactory for Banteer but totally frustrating for Kilbrin who rarely threatened to score the goal they required to ignite the proceedings. As Kilbrin attempted to make up the deficit after a Buttimer flag only for Banteer maintain a dominance, the locks secure at the heart of the defence, man of the match David Murphy and company remained ever reliant in the centre while they maintained the upperhand going forward, Murphy and Roche points provided Banteer with breathing space to rubberstamp their 8th outright title.
*Duhallow Board Chairman Joe Kearns presented the John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup to Banteer Captain Richard O’Connor. Kanturk Co-Op Mart Manager Seamus O’Keeffe was on hand to proudly present the man of the match award to Banteer’s David Murphy.
The Newmarket ground was in pristine condition and overall arrangements by the host club were first class for a large attendance that convened on a Saturday.
Maintaining a tradition, Newmarket Pipe Band added to the occassion with a recital, completing an exciting programme were Go Games from young players drawn from Banteer and Kilbrin, their presence warmly greeted by the attendance.
BANTEER: K Roche; K Sexton, M Kearney, J Twohig; D Kearney, R O’Connor 0-1, C Coughlan 0-1; B Weathers, D Murphy 0-3; E O’Flynn 1-0, K Tarrant 0-1, D McAulliffe; T Sexton 0-2, B O’Keeffe, D Roche 0-9 (8f). Subs: J Sexton for O’Keeffe (53).
KILBRIN: P O’Callaghan; T Mullane, T O’Reilly, C Buttimer 0-1; D Sheahan, W Egan, C Carroll; G Linehan, S Crowley 0-4 (2f); S O’Reilly 0-7 (4f), Daniel O’Sullivan, D Daly; David O’Sullivan, E Sheahan 0-1, W Heffernan. Subs. E O’Riordan for O’Callaghan (ht, inj), M Linehan 0-1 for D O’Sullivan (38).
REFEREE: D Carroll (Kanturk) MAIN MAN
David Murphy’s liking for the big day again manifested itself with another big performance. Apart from shooting 0-3, he also contributed handsomely to the overall team effort, helping out in a variety of channels that steered Banteer to a rewarding triumph.
TURNING POINT
Though Banteer appeared the hungrier outfit, little separated the sides for close on 40 minutes. In the circumstances, the outcome was always likely to be decided by a goal, that surfaced on David McAulliffe centred across the face of the Kilbrin danger area. full forward Brian O’Keeffe guiided into the direction for Eamon O’Flynn to connect sweetly.
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE
Not a game for the hurling purist in tricky and swirling wind yet the contest remained interesting all through, the hurt of losing six previous finals to Kilbrin spurred on Banteer to record a first time victory over their great rivals in a decider. Buttevant 2-13 Kilworth 1-7
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Ballyhooly 2-16 Clyda Rovers 0-13
Hibernian Hotel JAHC Final
Dromina 3-7 Ballyhooly 1-12
Ballylough Milling Under 21 A HC final
Fermoy 0-14 Kilworth 0-12
REBEL OG NORTH
Under 16 A HC semi-finals Bride Rovers 2-18 Ballyhea 3-8 Fermoy 2-18 Cuchullains 3-11
COUNTY BOARD
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Nemo Rangers 2-20 Kiskeam 0-11 Ballincollig 2-20 Carrigaline 1-8
County SHC
Na Piarsaigh 1-12 Glen Rovers 0-14 Bandon 2-22 Ballymartle 1-15 Sarsfields 1-15 Killeagh 1-11
County Premier IHC
Kanturk 1-19 Charleville 0-14
County IFC
Aghabullogue 1-12 Rockchapel 2-9 Mitchelstown 1-14 Ballydesmond 1-14
County IHC
Eire Og 2-15 Glen Rovers 1-10
County JAFC
Boherbue 4-10 Urhan 0-4 Whitescross 1-10 Garnish 0-10
County Under 21 A FC quarter-final replay
Clonakilrty 1-11 Carigaline 0-13
County Division 1 FL
Carbery Rangers 5-11 Mallow 0-11
County Division 3 FL
Bantry Blues 2-16 Nemo Rangers 0-13
County Division 4 FL
Kildorrery 0-10 Kinsale 0-4
County Division 5 FL
Youghal walkover from Adrigole
County JBFL Group 2
Cill na Marthra 3-11 Naomh Aban 0-4
County Division 1 HL
Fermoy 3-9 Courcey Rovers 0-18
County Division 4 HL
Inniscarra 4-18 Argideen Rangers 1-18 Sarsfields 3-26 Dripsey 0-11
County JAHL Group 1
Blarney 1-11 Killeagh 0-14
Blarney 3-17 Ballygiblin 0-10
County JAHL Group 3
Erins Own walkover from O’Donovan Rossa