Shanballymore go down in Division 1 home tie

Shanballymore 0-18 Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels 0-23

Liscarroll/ Churchtown Gaels and Shanballymore met in a thrilling Cavanagh’s of Fermoy Division 1 HL contest at Shanballymore on Sunday, with Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels eventually running out winners by a five point margin.

In a high scoring contest, the winners reeled off early points through Sean Killeen, Shane Coleman, Seamus O’Callaghan and Colin O’Brien as they moved 0-4 to 0-2 in front by the seventh minute. Shanballymore’s response was swift. Good work by Shane Looney set up Corey Buckley for a point, before Micheal Burke with a point in the 11th minute had them tied at 0-4 apiece.

Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels enjoyed a very good spell over the next eight minutes as they outscored their opponents by six points to one as they moved double scores in front 0-10 to 0-5. The Gaels were unable to push on from here and instead it was Shanballymore that got a firm grips on proceedings with Brian O’Reilly, Barry Sheedy, Darragh Palmer, Corey Buckley, Jamie Sheedy and Micheal Burke turning in a huge display. Jamie Sheedy got their revival in motion with a point from a free, before Brian O’Reilly set up Micheal Burke for a point in the 21st minute.

Further pressure saw the outstanding Darragh Palmer land three long range efforts from midfield that left a point between the teams when trailing 0-11 to 0-10. Colin O’Brien had a point for Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels, before two more long range points before the half-time whistle by Darragh Palmer and Eoin O’Regan ensured it was all to play for when they were tied for the second time at 0-12 each at the interval.

COMPETITIVE

In a closely contested second half both teams set out their intentions. They were level at 0-13, 0-14, 0-16 and 0-17 apiece by the 49th minute – the points coming by Colin O’Brien (4), Jamie Sheedy (4), Josh Quinn and Brian O’Reilly for their respective sides.

In the last 10 minutes Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels finally got the measure over their opponents with James Buckley, Sean Killeen, Seamus O’Callaghan, Padraic O’Shea, Josh Hudner, Josh Quinn, Ryan Fallon and Colin O’Brien influential figures throughout. A good delivery by Padraic O’Shea set up Josh Quinn for a point with Colin O’Brien (3), Daniel Relihan and Michael Hedigan following with points that opened up a six point game.

In injury time, Shanballymore were awarded a close in free where Jamie Sheedy’s attempt went over the crossbar for a point. This was greeted by the final whistle, with Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels running out winners by a five point margin.

Shanballymore: Stephen Donegan, Padraig Fitzgerald, Eoin McHugh, Billy O’Grady, Eoin O’Regan 0-1, Barry Sheedy, Brian O’Reilly 0-1, Corey Buckley 0-1, Darragh Palmer 0-5, Shane Looney 0-1, Noah Butler, Jamie Sheedy 0-7 (0-6f), Richard Hallinan, Micheal Burke 0-2, Jordan O’Grady. Subs: Conor McDonnell for Jordan O’Grady, Shaun Cronin for Richard Hallinan.

Referee Dwane Collins (Charleville).