Mallow hurlers crash out of County U-21 title race

Ballinhassig 1-22 Mallow 1-13

MALLOW’S involvement in the County U-21 Premier 2 Hurling Championship came to an end at the quarter-final on the 4G Pitch in Pairc Ui Chaoimh last Saturday when they succumbed to a better Ballinhassig side by nine points.

Evan Cullinane opened with two early points for the winners, though Mallow came close to an early goal when Daniel Sheehan was put through only to be denied by Ger Collins.

Further pressure saw the winners add points by Simon O’Neill and Conor Desmond. Mallow had their opening score in the 10th minute when Paul Lyons pointed. Ballinhassig continued to do well. A foul on Gearoid Kirby led to a pointed free by Conor Desmond. Gearoid Kirby with a point made it 0-6 to 0-1 after 15 minutes. Jack Grainger landed a long range point with Ronan Sheehan replying from long range for Mallow from a free.

The winners keeper Ger Collins saved well from Paul Lyons. Mallow improved a little but found scores hard to secure. Ballinhassig had a goal by Tom Madden in the 25th minute as they moved 1-10 to 0-2 clear. Ronan Sheehan pointed a Mallow free. In the 28th minute Ronan Sheehan worked well for Daniel Sheehan who pointed.

Ronan Sheehan followed with a pointed ‘65 as the game entered injury time. Conor Desmond pointed another free for the South East side.

In the 33rd minute good play by Eoin Buckley led to a Daniel Sheehan goal after a goalmouth scramble. Ballinhassig had a point by Evan Cullinane as they led at the break 1-12 to 1- 5.

Mallow needed a good start on the resumption. However, it was the winners who continued to do well. They had a series of points by Conor Desmond (4) and Charlie Grainger as they moved 1-16 to 1-7 clear. Paul Lyons pointed a ‘65 off the crossbar. Ballinhassig on top in the half backline and midfield areas added rapid points by Tom Madden, Conor Desmond and Evan Cullinane 1-19 to 1- 8.

At the end of the third quarter Daniel Sheehan pointed for Mallow. Ronan Sheehan (2) and Eoin Buckley had Mallow points as the lead was back to 7 points 1-19 to 1-12. Conor Desmond was unerring from frees adding three more while Niall O’Riordan completed the Mallow tally from long range.

Ballinhassig now meet Bride Rovers in the County semi-final with the winner meeting St Finbarr’s in the county final. BALLINHASSIG: G Collins, J Cottrell, J Lyne, G Daly, C Cullinane, J Grainger 0-1, E Lombard, E Cullinane 0-4 (1f), A O’Mahony, T Madden 1-1, C Desmond 0-13 (11f), S O’Neill 0-1, G Kirby 0-1, E Buckley, C Grainger 0-1. Subs: C O’Mahony for C Cullinane (blood) C O’Mahony for E Cullinane, K Connolly for T Madden.

MALLOW: G O’Donovan, C Murphy, E Kelleher, S O’Leary, D Moynihan, N O’Riordan 0-1, E Murphy, R Sheehan 0-5 (4f, 1 ‘65’), T McNamara, T Duignan, P Lyons 0-2 (1 ‘65’), S O’Callaghan, D Sheehan 1-4, D Buckley, E Buckley 0-1. Sub: M Duignan for S O’Callaghan.

REFEREE: Michael O’Mahony (Kilbrittain)