Bitter disappointment

COUNTY JUNIOR B HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP Ballyclough 3-20 Castletownroche 0-15

Castletownroche started their County Junior B Hurling campaign on Sunday last, May 14th, making the short journey to Glantane to face Avondhu rivals Ballyclough. It was a dry day and a strong breeze, which was to favour Castletownroche in the opening period, made it feel unseasonably cold and had some impact on proceedings. Credit to Kilshannig for having their pitch in immaculate condition and it was nice to see the scoreboard manned for the game. Castletownroche had to line-out in the colours of the Avondhu division, due to a clash in colours.

Castletownroche were to get the first score of the game through James, but the tale of the opening ten minutes was the dominance of the Ballyclough players, who burst in to life. Two pointed frees saw them take the lead and they registered the first green flag of the game soon after that, when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball end up in the back of the Castletownroche net, though it did appear as if Mick was fouled in the small square just before the ball was finished to the net. Nonetheless, the goal stood and Ballyclough continued to hurl strongly, adding points at regular intervals to lead by 9 points after 20 minutes. Castletownroche rallied at this point and they outscored their opponents by 6 points to 2 in the last ten minutes of the half to leave just 5 between the team at half time, the pick of these scores being booming efforts from their own half by Liam Mc and Muiris. Half time score Ballyclough 1-11 Castletownroche 0-09.

PURPLE PATCH

Castletownroche needed a fast start to the second half, and while both teams traded points in the opening minutes, a well worked Ballyclough goal effectively killed the game as a contest on 35 minutes. It was point for point then for the next 15 minutes, but a purple patch from the Ballyclough men between the 48th and 52nd minute saw them register 1-04 to no score and that was it at that stage, there was going to be no comeback.

Credit to the Castletownroche lads during the final period, when they never gave up and they reeled off the last three scores of the game. However at the full time whistle, Ballyclough were emphatic winners on a scoreline of 3-20 to 0-15.

Our lads will be bitterly disappointed as they were second best for much of the day and know their next hurling match in a little over three weeks against Iveleary will be a do or die affair. We know they are capable of upping it a gear and no doubt training will be upped over the next few weeks to get the lads in the best possible shape. Congratulations to Ballyclough on a well-deserved victory and thanks to referee Alec Morrissey and his team of officials for their efficient handling of the game.

Team: Mick Ryan, Will Madden, Thomas Barrett, Adrian O’Donovan, Liam McGrath (0-01), Muiris Browne (0-01), Sean Sugrue, Liam Sugrue, Dane O’Neill (0-02), James Linehan (0-02), Seamus Sheehan, Billy Batterberry, Mark O’Callaghan (0-07), Aiden O’Leary (0-01). Subs: Dave Relihan (0-01) for Noah O’Brien, Leon Farrell for Billy Batterberry, Pat Madden for Adrian O’Donovan, Wesley Walshe for Seamus Sheehan.

FIXTURE

Abbey Rovers return to County Junior C football championship action on Sunday next, May 21st. St Johns will provide the opposition and the game will throw in at 12.00 in Ballyclough. Patrons are reminded tickets must be bought online in advance via the Cork County Board website.

CLUB LOTTO

The next club lotto draw takes place on Monday, May 22nd, in the Rockforest Bar, with the jackpot now standing at €6,800. Tickets are available through local retail outlets in the village, from your usual sellers or through any club officer. The club would like to express our appreciation to everybody who continues to support our draw.

CLUB MEETING

A meeting of the Club Executive will take place on Monday night next, May 22nd, at 8.30pm in the Community Centre. This is an important meeting, where a number of items will be discussed, including an update on the conversion of the old dressing rooms in to a gym and we will start planning for the golf classic, which is scheduled to take place on September 8th and 9th in Doneraile GC.