Shanballymore edge Fermoy

Shanballymore 2-22 Fermoy 3-10

AN impressive display by Shanballymore’s Junior A Hurlers saw them sweep aside the challenge from Fermoy in the Hibernian Hotel JAHC quarter-final at Glanworth on Sunday.

Fermoy who went into the game with a good mixture of youth and experience started in a very positive manner. In the seventh minute they struck for the games opening goal when a delivery by Padraigh De Roiste was gathered by Paudie Shanahan who billowed the net 1-1 to 0-2.

Shanballymore’s response was swift, A point each by the O’Reilly brothers saw them force level. Fermoy edged in front again courtesy of a long range point by Eric Delaney.

However, for the rest of the half Shanballymore gained the initiative with Eoin O’Regan, Darragh Palmer, Jamie Sheedy, Eoin O’Regan, Micheal Burke, the McHugh and O’Reilly brothers featuring strongly.

In the 10th minute Brian O’Reilly soloed through and scored a cracking goal and eight minutes later they had for their second goal when Vincent Burke was denied by the Fermoy keeper Tom O’Brien with the rebound falling to the well placed Niall Barry who finished to the net from close range and in the process surge them into a 2-6 to 1-2 lead.

Fermoy who had some bad wides in this half finally found their range with Pa Boyce, Eric Delaney, Alan O’Connor and Adam Creed with points reducing the margin to 2-7 to 1-6 by the 25th minute.

Just when Fermoy looked back in the game it was Shanbally that struck a purple patch in the closing moments with Brian O’Reilly (2) Jamie Sheedy (2) and Colman O’Reilly who tagged on points before the half time whistle as they held a fully deserved 2-12 to 1-6 lead at the break.

On the changeover the early stages were close enough with both teams reeling off three points by the 42nd minute as the winners maintained an eight point cushion. As the half went on Shanballymore continued to drive forward at every given opportunity, their dominance was reflected when Brian O’Reilly and Jamie Sheedy with some delightful points moved them 2-18 to 1-10 clear, the Fermoy point by Ronan Morrisson.

In the last quarter Fermoy refused to give in. Alan O’Connor finished to the net from a tight angle in the 53rd minute.

O’Connor scored another goal just before the final whistle but there was no denying Shanballymore the manner of their victory with Jamie Sheedy (2) and the O’Reilly brothers also having points between the two Fermoy goals as they marched onto a semi final meeting with Clyda Rovers.

SHANBALLYMORE: S Donegan, Barry Sheedy, E McHugh, A Sheedy, P Fitzgerald, E O’Regan, D Roche, D Palmer 0-1, R McHugh, C O’Reilly 0-4, J Sheedy 0-10 (0-8f) B O’Reilly 1-7, N Barry 1-0, V Burke, M Burke Subs: S Lynch for D Roche, Brian Sheedy for N Barry. R Burke for V Burke

FERMOY: T O’Brien, R Morrisson 0-1, P Murphy, L Aherne, D J Hayes, T Grumbridge, J Scannell 0-1, M Brennan, P De Roiste, J Molloy, P Boyce 0-1, A Creed 0-1, E Delaney 0-5 (0-3f), P Shanahan 1-0, A O’Connor 2 -1 Subs: S O’Keeffe for P Boyce, S McCarthy for D J Hayes, N Collins for A Creed, S Kelleher for J Scannell

REFEREE: Dave O’Farrell (Snr) (Mitchelstown)