Harbour Rovers defeat Ballygiblin to reach Junior CHC final

Harbour Rovers 2-11 Ballygiblin 1-10

HARBOUR Rovers advanced to the Shreelawn Oil Junior CHC semi-final when they defeated Ballygiblin at Glanworth on Sunday. In a keenly contested encounter the issue was in doubt right till the end with the winners having their second goal in injury time by Denis Healy that eventually helped see off their opponents challenge. The opening stages saw Ballygiblin quick into their stride with Seamus Barrett (2) Paddy Kelly and Liam O’Gorman having minors that raced them into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the 10th minute.

As the game went on Harbour Rovers quickly settled. They reeled off the next four points before they struck for the games opening goal in the 22nd minute when a delivery by Michael Blackburne was gathered by Denis Healy who cut through to score a cracking goal 1-5 to 0-4. From the resultant puckout by the Ballygiblin keeper Joe Caplice, Seamus Barrett picked up possession and following a fine solo run he set up Kieran O’Doherty for a well taken goal. The remainder of the half saw Harbour Rovers extend their lead further when accurate free taker William Jackson pointed a free 1-6 to 1-4. However, Ballygiblin finished well and a point each by Kieran O’Doherty and Liam O’Gorman ensured they went to the break on level terms at 1-6 each.

On the changeover the early stages were again very close with Paddy Kelly and Jerome Fitzgibbon trading a point by the 34th minute. Harbour Rovers who had some fine displays by Paul Kiely, Colm Whelton, Jerome Fitzgibbon, Jessie Walsh, Edmond Roche, William Jackson and Denis Healy shaded matters for a while and by the 50th minute they moved 1-10 to 1-8 in front.

Ballygiblin regrouped well in the closing stages with Tom Molan, Seamus Barrett and Michael Lewis very much to the fore. Seamus Barrett pointed under pressure but this score was cancelled out at the otherend courtesy of Jerome Fitzgibbon 1-11 to 1-9. Ballygiblin battled away and at the end of normal time they came very close to taking the lead when a free by Micheal Lewis dropped short with Cian O’Brien’s effort at goal brilliantly saved by the Harbour Rovers keeper Brendan Sheehan. Instead it was the Rovers that struck for their second goal in injury time when a free by William Jackson was finished to the net by Denis Healy that moved them 2-11 to 1-9 in front. Ballygiblin completed the scoring through Paul Hennessy but it was Harbour Rovers that marched onto the semi final.

HARBOUR ROVERS: B Sheehan, P Kiely, D Mullins, J Kiely, C Whelton, M Blackburne, D Curran, J Fitzgibbon 0-2, J Walsh 0-1, E Roche, W Jackson 0-8f, DJ O’Flynn, S Sheehan, D Healy 2-0, J Fogarty. Subs: J Landers for C Whelton (inj) D O’Sullivan for D J O’Flynn, J Blackburne for J Fogarty, M Gallagher for D Curran.

BALLYGIBLIN: J Caplice, C O’Brien, M J Hayes, D Cremins, T Molan, J O’Donoghue, B Coughlan, M Lewis, S Barrett 0-3, G O’Keeffe, P Kearney, L O’Gorman 0-3 (2f), D Noonan, P Kelly 0-2, K O’Doherty 1-1. Sub: P Hennessy 0-1 for D Noonan.

REFEREE: Brendan O’Regan (Doneraile)

range. In injury time they made it 0-9 to 0-3 when Dylan O’Connor pointed a ‘45’.

For the second half a much improved Grange side were quick into the action. Darragh Scott had an early point following good work by Colin Scott, Peter Stapleton and Alan Deegan, From the resultant kickout Grange won possession and they set up John Carmody for a good point 0-9 to 0-5. Try as they might Grange found it very hard to break down the Abbey Rovers defence with Will Madden, Thomas Barrett and Pat Madden holding the full back line very well. At mid field the huge physical presence of Donal Relihan was also a telling factor in his sides victory. By the 41st minute the winners maintained their six point lead when Muiris Browne and Dylan O’Connor had points in quick succession 0-11 to 0-5.

In the last quarter both teams traded a point before Grange enjoyed their best spell in the last ten minutes. In the 51st minute they were given a lifeline when Kurt Wheeler made no mistake from the penalty spot after John Carmody was upended in the square 0-12 to 1-6. Abbey Rovers response was immediate, from the kickout the ball broke down the field at speed with Mark O’Callaghan kicking a vital point.

At this stage the Grange challenge was gathering momentum. Colin Scott kicked over two quick points to come within two points 0-13 to 1-8. In the 59th minute they came close to edging in front when a free by Colin Scott found Kieran Kelleher whose effort at goal was cleared off the line by Dave Relihan. Grange continued to battle away. Noel Barry reduced the lead to the narrowest of margins in injury time and extra time looked likely.

Abbey Rovers held out for a fully deserved win and after the game North Cork Board Treasurer John Roche presented the cup to the winning captain Muiris Browne. ABBEY ROVERS: J Batterberry, W Madden, T Barrett, P Madden, S Skinner, M Browne 0-3, A O’Donovan, Donal Relihan, P Murphy, J O’Callaghan 0-2, M O’Callaghan 0-3, D Lenihan, C Relihan, David Relihan, D O’Connor 0-5 (3f, 1 ‘45’). Subs: N Hazelwood for D Lenihan, S Mullane for P Murphy (inj).

GRANGE: N Cashman, D Scott 0-1, J Roche, D Roche, P Stapleton, J Carmody 0-1, T Hynes, A Deegan, R Fraher, C Scott 0-2, M Hennessy, K Wheeler (1-0 pen) N McCarthy, D Keating 0-1, N Barry 0-4 (3f). Subs: J O’Gorman for M Hennessy, K Kelleher for N McCarthy, P Howard for T Hynes (black card).

REFEREE: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth)