Fermoy complete Division 2 HL semi-final line-up

Fermoy 3-17 Ballyclough 4-12

WITH Ballyhea, Killavullen and Charleville already through to the semi-finals the last of the Cavanagh’s Fermoy Division 2 HL quarter-finals took place at Ballyclough on Tuesday when Fermoy had two points to spare over the home side.

In a high scoring contest the issue was in doubt right till the end with the lead changing hands on a number of occasions. The opening sequences saw the sides level at 0-1 and 0-2 each before Fermoy struck for the games opening goal in the 7th minute courtesy of Shane O’Keeffe.

Further pressure yielded some well taken points by Eric Delaney (3) and Shane O’Keeffe that opened up a 1-5 to 0-4 lead by the 14th minute. As the half went on Ballyclough quickly settled and a series of points saw them come within a point by the 18th minute 1-6 to 0-8. In Ballyclough’s next attack they hit the front when Mark Buckley and John Aherne combined well to set up Damian Buckley who billowed the Fermoy net 1-8 to 1-6.

Exchanges were very close in the run up to the break. Both teams missed a chance or two before Fermoy regained the lead in the 27th minute when a sideline by Ross O’Sullivan set up Adam Creed who soloed through the heart of the Ballyclough defence and scored a cracking goal 2-6 to 1-8. Mark Heffernan restored parity with a pointed free with the same player edging his side in front with another free in injury time. However, it was only fitting they went in at the break at level terms when Shane O’Keeffe got the equalising score for Fermoy to leave the game firmly in the balance when tied at 2-7 to 1-10 at the interval.

On the changeover Fermoy started at a hectic pace and six points on the spin by the 42nd minute by James Molloy (3) Eric Delaney, Conor Barry and Adam Creed surged them 2-13 to 1-10 clear. In the last quarter the game certainly came to life. Ballyclough got a new lease of life with Mark Heffernan scoring 1-2 in quick succession to come within the minimum by the 48th minute. Ballyclough now sensed a place in the league semi finals and they moved in front two minutes later when Damian Buckley finished to the net following a goal mouth scramble 3-12 to 2-13.

In the last ten minutes both teams battled hard for supremacy. Fermoy regrouped well with David O’Callaghan and Eric Delaney with a point each having the sides level for the fifth time at 3-12 to 2-15 by the 55th minute. With extra time looming Fermoy moved in front at the end of normal time when Padraigh De Roiste pointed from long range and they struck for a crucial goal in injury time when Jack Scannell and David O’Callaghan linked up well to set up Eric Delaney who netted, Ballyclough refused to surrender with Damian Buckley getting their fourth goal to leave the narrowest of margins between the teams 3-16 to 4-12.

Try as they might Ballyclough were unable to salvage the levelling score to bring the game to extra time and instead it was Fermoy that completed the scoring when Adam Creed set up Padraigh De Roiste who set them on their way to a semi-final meeting with Ballyhea.

FERMOY: T O’Brien, L Aherne, D J Wales, G Lardner, P Murphy, T Grumbridge, R O’Sullivan, R Morrisson, J Scannell, C Barry 0-2, J Molloy 0-4, P De Roiste 0-2, E Delaney 1-5 (0-4f), A Creed 1-1, S O’Keeffe 1-2. Subs: D O’Flynn for C Barry, D O’Callaghan 0-1 for S O’Keeffe, N Collins for R Morrisson.

BALLYCLOUGH: C O’Neill, D O’Neill, T Healy, S Walsh, W Fitzgerald, A Finnegan, J Aherne, S Buckley, M Buckley, M Heffernan 1-9 (1-7f), D Buckley 3-1, T O’Neill 0-1, B O’Neill, T O’Shea 0-1, E O’Connor.

REFEREE: John Hartnett (Dromtarriffe) FRIDAY, AUGUST 17

JBFC(2)

Fermoy v Clyda Rovers, Ballyhooly 7pm

Cavanagh’s Fermoy Division 2 FL final

Grange v Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels, Shanballymore 7pm

U-21 B HC quarter-final

Buttevant v Ballycastle Gaels, Ballyhooly 7pm

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18

Synergy Fermoy Credit Union JAFC semi-final

Fermoy v Charleville (prov) 7pm

Hibernian Hotel JAHC semi-final

Ballygiblin v Dromina, Mourneabbey 7pm

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21

Division 3 HL semi-final

Kilshannig v Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels, Buttevant 7pm

U-21 B HC quarter-final

Ballyhea v St. Kevin’s, Dromina 7pm

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22

Division 2 HL semi-final

Charleville v Killavullen, Buttevant 7pm

Rebel Og North

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16

U-16 B1 FL

Ballycastle Gaels v Killavullen, C’roche 7pm BK Plunkett’s v Kilara Og, Boherbue 7pm Dr Pat O’Callaghan’s v St Kevin’s Banteer 7pm U-16 B2 FL