Last minute sucker punch sees title nabbed by Aghabullogue

Aghabullogue 1-10 Ballyhea 0-9

FOLLOWING a dramatic finish to this County JBHC (Inter Divisional) final at Páirc Ui Rinn on Sunday, an injury time goal by Aghabullogue’s Billy Casey saw his side emerge victors over Ballyhea.

Despite the sides being level at 0-1 each after five minutes when Patrick Finnegan and Neil Ronan traded a point it was Aghabullogue that shaded matters for long periods of the first half. Brian Buckley, Dan Twomey, Jerome Corkery and team captain David Moynihan were commanding figures in defence while their keeper Donal Twomey was in splendid form throughout.

At the other end Patrick Finnegan, Eamon Murphy, Billy Casey, Daniel Dineen and Jack Murphy were equally as effective for the Mid Cork side as they built up an early lead. In the seventh minute a good solo run by Daniel Dineen set up Patrick Finnegan for a well taken point.

Finnegan added another point at the end of the first quarter from a free that moved them two clear. Aghabullogue continued to show the greater urgency and in the 23rd minute they moved 0-4 to 0-1 in front when Jerome Corkery and Jack Murphy combined well to set up Daniel Dineen who scored a massive point from out near the sideline.

Ballyhea found scores hard to come by in this half and two minutes later they recorded their second point by Neil Ronan after Luke Crowley and Dean Copps linked up well. The lead was down to a point soon after when Neil Ronan pointed a free.

However, Aghabullogue finished the half strong. In the 29th minute Jerome Corkery and Patrick Finnegan worked well for Daniel Dineen who scored a great point from long range. In injury time Eamonn Murphy completed the first half scoring for the winners as they led by double scores at the interval 0-6 to 0-3. On the changeover both teams were quick into the action with key forwards Neil Ronan and Patrick Finnegan on target by the 32nd minute. Aghabullogue created the games first goal scoring opportunity soon after when Billy Casey cut in from the sideline but his effort at goal from a tight angle went narrowly wide.

Exchanges were keenly contested during the entire third quarter. Neil Ronan and Billy Casey swapped a point by the 41st minute with Ronan and Daniel Dineen also trading minors by the end of the third quarter as Aghabullogue maintained their three point cushion 0-9 to 0-6.

In the last quarter the game certainly came to life. The Ballyhea challenge improved greatly with Stephen Dennehy, Niall Crowley, Jack Barrett, Dean Copps, James O’Leary, Seán O’Kelly and Neil Ronan making their presence felt.

Neil Ronan who accounted for all Ballyhea’s nine points reeled off three more frees that left it all to play when they were tied for the second time at 0-9 by the 58th minute. With the game now firmly in the balance both teams went in search of match winning scores in the final moments.

In the end it was Aghabullogue who possessed the greater scoring threat throughout that claimed victory. In injury time Billy Casey won possession on the ‘40 and his effort for a point deceived everyone in a crowded Ballyhea goalmouth with the sliothar making its way to the net for a match winning goal.

Patrick Finnegan completed the scoring with a free as they emerged deserving winners by a four point margin. After the game Tracey Kennedy Chairperson Cork County Board presented the cup to the victorious captain David Moynihan. It marked their first adult county title in 28 years.

AGHABULLOGUE: Donal Twomey, A Hogan, Dan Twomey, K Barry-Murphy, B Buckley, D Moynihan, J Corkery, D Dineen 0-3, D Desmond, P Finnegan 0-5 (0-3f), M Twomey, G Murphy, J Murphy, E Murphy 0-1, B Casey 1-1 Subs:

T Long for D Desmond (inj), T O’Leary for G Murphy, P O’Rourke for J Murphy, David Dineen for M Twomey

BALLYHEA: G O’Shea, O O’Byrne, S Dennehy, M Crowley, S O’Kelly, N Crowley, J O’Leary, J Barrett, D Copps, C Hanley, N Ronan 0-9 (0-7f), M Mortell, R Hanley, D O’Shaughnessy, L Crowley Subs: E Rea for R Hanley, E O’Sullivan for M Mortell, W Shanahan for D O’Shaughnessy,

REFEREE: Canice Walsh (Douglas)