Late rally sees Shanballymore have close win over Castle’
Shanballymore 2-14 Castletownroche 0-19
THIS derby JAHC game at Kildorrery on Sunday evening was highly exciting and very evenly contested. Castletown did well for long periods but goals for Shanballymore at vital stages proved decisive in the end. Kevin Skinner and Darragh Palmer exchanged an early point. Good play by Aidan O’Leary led to a lead point for Castletown by John Browne. Dayne O’Neill made it 0-3 to 0-1 after 9 minutes.
Further pressure saw Muiris Browne work well for John Browne who sent over. A well placed puck-out by Stephen Donegan found Miceal Burke who pointed from long range. By the 17th minute Mark O’Callaghan edged Castletown ahead by 0-4 to 0-2. Jamie Sheedy and Mark O’Callaghan swapped frees.
Paul Burke landed a fine Shanbally point as they came within two points. Brian O’Reilly pointed a ‘65’ and Jamie Sheedy levelled from long range at 0-6 each. Jonathan O’Callaghan saved well from Brian O’Reilly. Shanballymore finished the half well adding points by Jamie Sheedy and Paul Burke. In injury time Mark O’Callaghan with a free left just a point between the sides at the break.
On the resumption O’Callaghan levelled. In the 33rd minute Jake Buckley worked well for Jerome Fitzgerald who goaled for the winners. Castletown came back well and 3 points in quick succession had them level by the 43rd minute 1-8 to 0-11. Good play by Dylan O’Connor led to an Aidan O’Leary lead point.
Impressive Brian O’Reilly struck the net and Shanbally were 2-8 to 0-12 ahead. Both sides were off target. Mark O’Callaghan with two frees levelled 2-8 to 0-14 after 48 minutes. Castletown hit the front with points by Niall Hazelwood and Dylan O’Connor. Brian O’Reilly was red carded for Shanballymore and a Castletownroche victory looked very likely.
When the pressure was greatest Shanballymore dug deep. They introduced Colman O’Reilly who had been out of action through a serious injury for nearly two years. He played a vital role. Mark O’Callaghan and Jamie Sheedy exchanged frees 0-17 to 2-9. Jamie Sheedy scored some massive frees as they were level as the game entered in injury time. A foul on Colman O’Reilly produced the winner by Sheedy deep in injury time. SHANBALLYMORE: S Donegan, P Fitzgerald, E McHugh, R Hallahan, Brian Sheedy, S Lynch, Barry Sheedy, M Burke 0-1, R McHugh, J Buckley, J Sheedy 0-9 (5f, 1 ‘65’), D Palmer 0-1, J Fitzgerald 1-0, E O’Regan, B O’Reilly 1-1. Subs: P Burke 0-2 for E O’Regan (inj) N Barry for J Fitzgerald, J Burke for N Barry (inj), A Sheedy for Barry Sheedy, C O’Reilly for J Burke.
CASTLETOWNROCHE: J O’Callaghan, P Madden, T Barrett, N O’Brien, M Browne, S Skinner, S Sugrue, A O’Leary 0-1, J Browne 0-2, D O’Connor 0-3, K Skinner 0-1, P Sheehan 0-1, N Hazelwood 0-1, M O’Callaghan 0-9 (5f), D O’Neill 0-1. Subs: W Walsh for T Barrett (inj)
REFEREE: P J Aherne (Fermoy)