Junior C wins for Glenlara and St Johns
for Ballinure trail 0-11 to 3-1 at the break.
Glenlara steadied on the restart and availed of solid work from Thomas Fitzpatrick, Trevor Murphy, Collins and Cronin to dictate matters. Scores were more difficult to come by but points to Pierce O’Brien, Derek McNamara and Ben Daly extended Glenlara’s hand.
Credit Ballinure for hunting in packs and a goal from Mark McGrath in the 51st minute left the minimum between the sides. Now it was Glenlara’s turn to have their character tested and they responded superbly to close out the game with late points to Collins, Conan Walsh and Conor Fitzpatrick. ST John’s proved too potent a mix for Bere Island in the County Junior C Football Championship at Inchageela.
The task on hand was well and truly completed long before the full time whistle. In a new grade competition geared for smaller clubs, there was no stopping St Johns and they did so with a powerfully structured display that proved beyond the West Cork outfit.
The Duhallow side made an early statement of intent with the O’Keeffe brothers the instigators of moves from defence in addition to the strong presence of John O’Sullivan and Liam Dennehy at midfield.
Going forward, Eric Barrett pounced for a goal, Bere Island’s lone point falling to Jim Hanley for his side trail 1-6 to 0-1 at the break. Hard though as Bere attempted, there was no recovery for St Johns hadn’t a weak link.
And with fresh legs coming into the fray, if anything, St. John’s strengthened their position, substitutes getting in on the act, John Cullinane netting a pair and another from full forward Tadgh Ring wrapped up the most convincing of wins.