Ballyhooly defeat Harbour Rovers in lively encounter
Four points in the final minutes of this Cavanagh’s of Fermoy Division 1 HL encounter saw Ballyhooly claim the points at stake when they clashed with their near neighbours, Harbour Rovers in a lively contest at Ballyhooly on Thursday evening.
The opening stages saw the defending league champions, Harbour Rovers start in a very determined manner with Stephen Condon (2), Padraig Hannon and Peter Condon having points as they moved into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the seventh minute. Ballyhooly quickly got up to the required pace and were back on level terms within minutes.
Gearoid Roche set up Dylan Collins for a point and they followed with two well taken points by Eoin Twomey and Barry Johnson, that had the game tied for the first time. They were also tied at 0-5 apiece by the end of the first quarter when Barry Johnson and Thomas Condon traded points.
The remainder of the half saw both teams enjoy their moments. Stephen Condon with three frees for the Rovers moved his side 0-8 to 0-5 in front. Back came a youthful Ballyhooly side in the closing moments. Dylan Collins picked off two fine points in as many minutes and they followed with a point each by Barry Johnson and Gearoid Roche, that ensured it was all to play for when tied at 0-9 each at the interval – Stephen Condon getting Harbours Rovers ninth point.
TENSE FINISH
On the changeover the home side finished where they left off late in the opening half with Denis Kiely, Brian Lombard and Barry Johnson reeling off some fine points. In a keenly contested third quarter, Ballyhooly maintained a three point cushion until Harbour Rovers struck for the only goal in the game in the 43rd minute when a delivery by Jerome Fitzgibbon was broken down on the edge of the square by Michael Blackburne. His effort at goal was saved on the line, but the alert Scott Sheehan was on hand to finish the rebound to the net to force parity at 0-15 to 1-12.
In an edgy finish, both teams sensed victory. Stephen Condon edged Harbour Rovers in front with an excellent point from a sideline cut, with Ballyhooly responding when the hardworking Seamus Roche pointed followed a fine solo run. They were also tied at 0-17 to 1-14 by the 50th minute. However, from here on Ballyhooly shaded matters with Eoghan Buckley, Barry Johnson, Eoin Twomey, Seamus Roche, Denis Kiely, Dylan Collins, Gearoid Roche and substitute Diarmuid Linehan very much to the fore.
In the 52nd minute a quickly taken free by Barry Johnson set up Diarmuid Linehan for a fine point. Barry Johnson landed two long range frees soon after, as the home side moved three clear (0-20 to 1-14). Harbour Rovers stayed right in contention when Stephen Condon pointed a free. However, time was not on their side with Ballyhooly completing the scoring when Eoin Twomey and Gearoid Roche linked up well to set up Diarmuid Linehan for a point, as they emerged victors by a three point margin.
Ballyhooly: Cian Murphy, Fintan Linehan, John Roche, Jeff Gowen, Colm Crowley, Eoghan Buckley, Eoin Twomey (0-1), Barry Johnson (0-10f), Seamus Roche (0-1), Dylan Collins (0-3), Fionn Hess (0-1), Gearoid Roche (0-1), Denis Kiely (0-1), Brian Lombard (0-1), Eoin Sykes. Subs: Diarmuid Linehan (0-2) for Brian Lombard, Kevin Kiely for Jeff Gowen (inj), Dan Cooney for Denis Kiely (inj).
Harbour Rovers: Dave Pyne, Damian Curran, Jack Coughlan, Bart O’Keeffe, Brian Gallagher, Thomas Condon (0-1), Jerome Fitzgibbon, Francis J O’Flynn, Peter Condon (0-1), Michael Blackburne, Stephen Condon (0-11 - 0-8f, 0-1 s/l), Padraig Hannon (0-2), Dave Campion, Jack Blackburne, Scott Sheehan (1-0). Sub: Pa Roche for Dave Campion.
Referee Colm Maher (Buttevant).