O’Sullivan goal decisive for Ballyhea in league
Ballyhea 1-13 Ballinhassig 0-14
BALLYHEA kept up their good run in the current Red FM County SHL with a second away win over Ballinhassig on Sunday last.
Ballinhassig were against the wind in the first half. The home side opened with an early point by Eanna Heffernan. Good play by Adam Barrett led to a fine point by Pat O’Callaghan.
Fintan O’Leary pointed a Ballinhassig free before O’Callaghan levelled from a long range free. Good play by Killian Tyres led to another point by O’Leary. In the 13th minute Pat O’Callaghan levelled at 0-3 each from a free.
Fintan O’Leary edged the South East side in front again. Jamie Copps levelled from a tight angle 0-4 each. Ballyhea had their goal soon when Tom Hanley, Gavin Morrissey and Kalim Cox worked a good movement that was finished to the net by Maurice O’Sullivan.
The Avondhu side were on a role and Jamie Copps worked well for Gavin Morrissey who pointed. Tom Hanley and Kevin Copps worked a good movement with Hanley taking the return pass and pointing.
Fintan O’Leary pointed a free. In the 27th minute Jamie Copps worked well for Pat O’Callaghan who edged his side double scores ahead 1-7 to 0-5. Pat O’Callaghan and Michael Aherne exchanged late pointed frees with Tom Hanley with an injury time point giving Ballyhea a seven point lead at the break 1-10 to 0-6.
On the resumption Pat O’Callaghan with a free opened up an eight-point lead. Ballinhassig wind assisted came back strong. Fintan O’Leary pointed two frees and he also placed Simon O’Neill for a fine point 1-11 to 0-9.
Ballyhea were reduced to 14 players following a second yellow. It looked as if Ballinhassig would prevail. However, Ballyhea defended very well and they also got on top in midfield where Kalim Cox and John Morrissey won great ball.
In the 43rd minute Ger Collins pointed a free and when Fintan O’Leary pointed just a goal separated the sides 1-11 to 0-11. Pat O’Callaghan pointed another free. Eanna Heffernan with a point cut the lead to a goal once more 1-12 to 0-12.
Fintan O’Leary put Paul Coomey through for a point with Fintan O’Leary pointing a late free following a foul on Chris Reynolds 1-12 to 0-14. In injury time John Morrissey with a pointed free completed the scoring and Ballyhea took the points in a very close finish.
BALLYHEA: M Browne, W Carroll, T Shanahan, A Barrett, T Foley, B Coleman, L Hanley, J Morrissey 0-1f, K Cox, G Morrissey 0-1, P O’Callaghan 0-8 (5f), T Hanley 0-2, K Copps, M O’Sullivan 1-0, J Copps 0-1 Subs: C Hanley for P O’Callaghan (inj) E Rea for T Shanahan
BALLINHASSIG: G Collins 0-1f, C Reynolds, P O’Leary, E McCarthy, J O’Callaghan, M Aherne 0-1f, C Desmond, C O’Mahony, E Lombard, K Tyres, S O’Neill 0-1, C McCarthy, E Heffernan 0-2, F O’Leary 0-8 (0-5f), P Coomey 0-1 Subs: E Buckley for C McCarthy D Brennan for C O’Mahony
REFEREE: Liam O’Riordan (Belgooly)