Junior Bs suffer opening defeat

Ballygiblin 1-10 Doneraile 2-11

Our Junior Bs had their opening game in the Cavanagh’s of Fermoy Division 2 league on Sunday, taking on Doneraile away in damp conditions. A poor first half performance saw us having to claw back a 6-point deficit at half-time but in fairness the lads dug deep to take the lead in the second half. Unfortunately a late rally saw Doneraile take the spoils.

We started well with the opening point of the game within 30 seconds of the throw in with a fine point from the corner by Colin Brenock. Doneraile had an opening wide before a long-range effort from Diarmuid Allen went over the bar and we went 3 up from a free from Diarmuid Allen before Doneraile got their opening point from play and followed this up with a long range shot of their own. At the other end a fine run from Noel Fitzgerald down the middle saw him fouled but the resulting free was sent to the right and wide.

Then Doneraile stuck for their first goal, Kevin Bowler who was out in front of his man failed to get the ball up and the Doneraile man managed to steal possession and made no mistake in slotting it home to put them 2 up with 8 minutes played. Both teams were wasteful in front of goals with Doneraile notching up 3 wides in quick succession before Diarmuid Allen struck another from play on the 15th minute but unfortunately it would be the last score of the half for us while Doneraile struck 5 before the half-time whistle.

We did have 2 goal chances, one on the 18th minute when a free went short into the square and a scramble ensued but Doneraile managed to clear, though Jack Lewis won the ball back and earned a free for us but again our free taking let us down and the ball went wide. Another free a few minutes later looked to be going wide but was kept in play and battled across the square but unfortunately Noel Fitzgerald who was rushing in couldn’t connect and Doneraile eventually got the ball cleared. We hit two further wides from placed balls before the ref blew for half-time. Ballygiblin 0-04 to 1-07.

The lads knew a big effort was needed in the second half to get back into the game and we opened with a pointed free from Tom Molan after good work from Diarmuid Allen. Tom was again on hand to strike over another free after Colin was fouled. We were working harder all over the field and Doneraile were finding possession harder to come by. Tom then converted a 65 after Diarmuid Allen’s good run through the defence saw his shot put out by the keeper.

Good defensive work from Sean O’Doherty saw us earn a free out which was stuck to Diarmuid Allen, his liveliness causing issues for the Doneraile defence, and the play was called back for a free which Tom converted. Doneraile did get a free back to leave 3 between the sides with 10 minutes played.

Sean O’Connell was proving to be a sticky opponent and won a great free out which Diarmuid Lynch landed into Colin Brenock who was fouled in front of goals. Tom decided to go for goal, but his initial shot was easily stopped by the keeper, but the ball spilled, and Tom was quick to react and got enough of a flick to see the ball over the line and level the game with 13 minutes played.

We then took the lead 2 minutes later with Colin getting his second point from play. Doneraile levelled on the 20th minute after clocking up 2 further wides from a free after initial good defending by us. Again, some bad fouling saw Doneraile take the lead from a free. Michael Roche was then called upon to make great save, but Doneraile managed to get a point from the rebound.

We got our final point of the match from a free on the 26th minute after a fantastic run out of defence from Sean O’Doherty saw him fouled. We tried hard to level the game, but we saw a long-range effort defended well and Diarmuid Allen looked in for a point but was deemed to have overcarried. We were heading towards the first minute of injury time when we failed to clear a free in and it was struck to the back of the net seconds before the final whistle.

Overall, the 4 point win flattered Doneraile and we will rue a poor first half performance, we did battle well and came more into the game in the second half when any rustiness was shaken off. The tough game will stand to them in their next fixture against neighbours Fermoy, currently fixed for April 2nd at 14.30 in Ballygiblin.

Team: M Roche, D Lynch, K Bowler, S O’Connell, C Luddy, S O’Doherty, J Crotty, J Lewis, S Doyle, N Fitzgerald, D Allen (0-03 1F), P Finn, S O’Brien, C Brenock (0-02), T Molan (1-5F). Subs: K Mullins for P Finn, T Kent for C Luddy.

NEXT FIXTURE

Red Fm Division 5 League on Thursday, 30th March v Aghada in Aghada at 19.30.

CONGRATULATIONS CBS HURLERS

Huge congratulations to the CBS on their All-Ireland final win on Saturday. They had a comprehensive win over St Mary’s of Magherafelt. It was great to see another All-Ireland trophy coming back to the town. Well done to everyone involved.

BIG CAR DRIVE

The car made an appearance in the St Patrick’s Day parade and will soon be driven away by a lucky winner. The draw will take place on Friday, 31st March at the victory social so only a few more days to get your ticket. There are also other cash prizes and a hotel stay up for grabs. You can buy your tickets on Clubforce.

SYMPATHIES

We would like to offer our condolences to the Reidy family and friends on the death of Maura. May she rest in peace.