Dripsey and Ballygarvan must go again in play-off

Dripsey 1-15 Ballygarvan 2-12

THERE was no doubting the determination of the contestants in the intermediate hurling relegation contest at Ballincollig on Saturday afternoon last to retain their status.

The participating teams Dripsey and Ballygarvan knowing that a victory would ensure that they would continue in intermediate hurling were very competitive in their approach from the throw in.

Dripsey were more impressive side in the early stages and points from Gary Murphy and Eoin Maher were a boost to their prospects of victory. Gary White then got a point back for Ballygarvan, but following same Dripsey went very much on the offensive.

Shane Burke raised a white flag to increase the mid Cork sides lead in the fifth minute and one minute later Dripsey were very much in the driver’s seat. Mark O’Sullivan found the Ballygarvan net following an opening created by Eoin Maher.

The latter continued to find themselves on the back foot for a period but Dripsey failed to consolidate their position with point scoring efforts from good positions badly off target and a powerful effort for a goal by Diarmuid O’Riordan striking the crossbar meant that they failed to increase their lead during nine minutes of dominance.

Left off the hook Ballygarvan’s play in the second quarter was much improved and they were well in contention at the interval thanks very much to the opportunism of Mark Kennefick.

The score was 1-6 to 1-5 at the interval in the mid Cork sides favour but they had reason to feel uneasy following their nine first half wides and it was clear that some of their long serving players were beginning to find the going hard following their first quarter dominance.

The game was delicately poised throughout the second half, but it appeared likely that Dripsey might shade it when they enjoyed a three point’s lead seven minutes from full-time.

Ballygarvan had a final card to play however and they introduced young Dylan O’Connell who proved to be a very effective substitute. He scored a point from a side line ball and he followed with a major so the south east side were ahead as the finishing line was approaching.

Dripsey managed to reply however and they regained the lead when Michael O’Riordan raised white flags from a free and ‘65. Seconds now remained, but Ballygarvan managed to launch one final attack.

There was a needless free conceded by the Dripsey rearguard. Their scorer in chief Mark Kennefick made no mistake from same so the sides must meet again.

DRIPSEY: Aidan Buckley, Barry Kelleher, Liam Murphy, Dan Buckley, John Carey, John O’Riordan, Pat O’Riordan, Conor Hayes, Gary Murphy (0-1), Michael O’Riordan (0-6, 2f, 1 ‘65), Diarmuid O’Riordan (0-1), Shane Burke (0-1), David O’Sullivan (0-1), Eoin Maher (0-3), Mark O’Sullivan (12) Subs: Aidan Murray for Pat O’Riordan, 41, Eoin O’Connell for Shane Burke, 50 BALLYGARVAN: Ronan Corkery, James Browne, Fergal Ahern, Jamie Fenton, Paul Sexton, Ciarán O’Sullivan, Emmet Ahern, Cathal O’Leary, Gary White (0-1), Shane Buckley, Donald O’Sullivan, Michael Cussen, Timmy O’Halloran, Mark Kennefick (1-10, 6f), Calum Mackey Subs: David Bouse for Mackey, 48, Dylan O’Connor (1-1) for Buckley, 50

REFEREE: C Egan (Glen Rovers)