County first round win
Shanballymore 2-6 Randal Óg 2-4
Grenagh was the venue last Saturday for our first round county football championship game v West Cork side Randal Óg and we came away with a narrow two point win, after looking comfortable for the first 50 minutes where we controlled the game and had some excellent performances throughout the field.
We played with the wind in the first half and straight from the off put pressure on the Randal Óg defence with a point inside 2 mins from Jake Buckley. This was followed by another lovely point by the energetic Rob McHugh after a lovely pass from Alan Sheedy.
With the wind putting pressure on the opponents kickouts we got well on top in the midfield area where Sean Lynch and Eoin McHugh were winning excellent possession, which led to our forwards seeing plenty ball and this set up our next two scores. Jamie Sheedy, who won loads of breaks, set up Jake for another point before the same players combined again minutes later and Jake’s effort from 30 yards sailed all the way to the net over the stranded keeper, to see us head into the water break 1-3 to 0-0 up.
The same trend continued on the resumption of play with our boys dominating throughout the field, especially in our inside backline where Padraig Fitz, Barry Sheedy and Richard Hallinan were sniffing out any danger that came their way and great credit must go to these three lads and keeper Stephen Donegan for holding the Randal Óg attack scoreless throughout the first half. Our half backline were the start of many of our attacks with Brian O’Reilly, Darragh Palmer and Jerome Fitzgerald outstanding throughout the game, making some great runs and linking well with our midfield and forward line and also making some timely interceptions when Randal Óg were attacking.
We added 2 points from the water break to half-time when Jake popped over a free when Haulie Burke was fouled making a great run through the heart of the opponents defence. This was followed with an excellent team score that started in the backline and saw Barry Sheedy link up with Brian O’Reilly who in turn set up Eoin O’Regan to score a lovely point from distance. We went into halftime leading 1-5 to 0-0, but knew that Randal Óg with the wind at their backs would come out all guns blazing in the second half.
They got their first point after two minutes but this was answered with another Jake Buckley point immediately. They attacked from the resulting kickout and scored their second point to keep our lads on their toes and stay in touch. With ten minutes gone in the second half we got our second goal, when Eoin McHugh played a great ball into Alan Sheedy and he fed the inrushing Jake Buckley who finished a rocket to the net from 21 yards to give us a comfortable 2-6 to 0-2 lead.
Credit to our West Cork opponents, they didn’t give up and they added two well taken points before the water break to remind our lads that they were still in the game and fighting. The last quarter was exciting with both teams creating and missing scores, with the wind making it difficult for our forwards to find their range. We had plenty of experience to call on from the bench with Paul and Vincent Burke coming on and also young Jordan O’Grady and they all saw plenty possession in the last 10 minutes, with Vince and Jordan unlucky not to score and add to our tally.
In a frantic last five minutes Randal Óg went into all-out attack mode and in search of goals and they got one when their nippy corner forward found the bottom corner with a close range shot, giving Stephen Donegan no chance in goals. With time almost up they were awarded a penalty which was slotted home, to leave us leading by only 2 points and from their next attack they had one last chance but, thankfully, Brian O’Reilly and Barry Sheedy snuffed out the danger and this saw the full-time whistle sounded and we had held out for a close 2 point win.
Well done to the players who put in a great effort over the last few weeks and the hard work is really paying off with two excellent wins under our belt in the North Cork final win v Castletownroche and first round county win. This sees us progress to the quarter-finals which were to be held in the coming weeks but with the GAA announcement last Monday to cease all games until further notice due to Covid-19 restrictions, it’s anyone’s guess when these games will take place but thankfully the lads can train away but under strict guidelines which must be followed by all clubs.
We also have a divisional junior B football qualifier to play against Mallow, after they captured the junior B2 football championship last Sunday with a win v Glanworth. This will see ourselves or Mallow go through to a county quarterfinal and play the West Cork winners Randal Óg or Newcestown.
Team: Stephen Donegan, Padraig Fitzgerald, Richard Hallinan, Brian O’Reilly, Darragh Palmer, Jerome Fitzgerald, Eoin McHugh, Sean Lynch, Jamie Sheedy, Robert McHugh (0-1), Haulie Burke, Alan Sheedy, Eoin O’Regan (0-1), Jake Buckley (2-4), Paul Burke, Vincent Burke, Jordan O’Grady.
LOTTO RESULTS
Lotto results from 3-10-20, jackpot €2,000 numbers drawn 6, 10, 14 and 27, no winner, lucky dip winners: Laura Roche, Carriglea and Ellen Dennehy, Shanballymore.
Next draw Saturday 10-10-20 at 9pm in GAA clubhouse. Thanks to everyone for their continued support of Shanballymore GAA Club lotto.
ST DOMINICS
Well done to St Dominics U14 hurlers who had a fantastic win last Saturday in Ballyhea against St Marks after extra-time. Some outstanding hurling played throughout the 80 minutes with bodies on the line in a frantic last few minutes to hold out for a brilliant win 1-16 to 2-10. Congratulations also to Colman O’Reilly who is selector with these lads, passing on his vast experience to the next generation.
CONGRATULATIONS CHARLEVILLE
A big congratulations to our
North Cork neighbours Charleville on their fantastic win last Sunday morning in Páirc Uí Chaoimh when they defeated Fr O’Neills in a fantastic match to capture the county SAHC. Trailing at half-time against the elements, they showed great heart and determination to fight back playing a lovely brand of hurling in the second half to run out winners by the narrowest of margins 1-23 to 4-13. Well done again from all in Shanballymore GAA Club.
Last Monday morning in GAA headquarters Croke Park the GAA management committee announced that all GAA games would cease with immediate effect, until further notice. At the time of writing we were unsure how long this will be in effect but will keep all our players and members informed with any updates as we get them.
RESULT
CJBFC Rd 1: Shanballymore 2-6 Randal Óg 2-4.