Ballinascarthy 0-22

Kilbree 1-16

JOHN MURPHY REPORTS

HAIL the conquering heroes, the magnificent hurling Red Devils from Ballinascarthy who were crowned Carbery champions for an eighth time.

Bal are back on top in their home division following a three-point hard-earned victory over a gallant Kilbree side in the final of the RCM Tarmacadam Junior A Hurling Championship at a resplendent and packed Kilbrittain on Sunday.

This decider had all the pre-match ingredients and requisites necessary to make it into an absorbing and nail-biting clash between two evenly-matched sides. That is exactly what happened. The result was in doubt up to the final whistle, as Kilbree threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Bal in their attempts to gain at least parity and extra-time.

But Herculean performances by shot-stopper Darragh Hennessy and his defensive cohorts – the Nyhan brothers Daniel and Ciarán, Ciarán O’Neill, James O’Brien, Jeremy Ryan and Aidan O’Donovan – held the Blues at bay in those action-filled last minutes.

Ballinascarthy's Ciaran O'Neill breaks through Kilbree's Michael Keohane and Kevin Keohane. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

So, the famed Flyer Nyhan Cup, the silver symbol of junior hurling in Carbery, will take up abode in Ballinascarthy for the third time in five years, the Reds also victorious in 2021 and 2022.

But credit Kilbree, for making this latest episode in the great sporting clashes and rivalry that exists between the two teams into another classic hurling instalment.

Bal, aided by the almost gale-force wind, hit the ground running as the ever-reliable Jeremy Ryan found the range, quickly followed by a point apiece from Timmy and Connall Cullinane – three of the winner’s marquee players – inside the opening three minutes.

But the Blues were quickly finding their feet, non-more so that leading scoring sorcerer Jim Shanahan who rifled over a peach of a point.

While Cian Ryan and top scorer Brian O’Donovan extended the Reds’ advantage, Shanahan, together with ace free-taker Darragh Coakley, centre-forward Joe O’Donovan and midfielders Michael O’Donovan and Brian Deasy were now having a marked influence on proceedings.

Bal captain Luke Murray raises the Flyer Nyhan Cup. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Timmy Cullinane and Jim Shanahan exchanged points, but three from Coakley from frees, with a point each from Jeremy Ryan and Ciarán O’Neill kept the scoreboard operator on overtime. It was 0-8 to 0-5 for Bal at the close of the opening quarter.

Scorers-in-chief Brian O’Donovan and Jim Shanahan hit the target, as in the 27th minute, Kilbree were in for the only goal of the game. A long delivery by the hard-working Don McCarthy exposed the Bal cover, andJim Shanahan billowed the net from an acute angle, 1-7 to 0-10. It was all square.

Now the big Kilbree following on the hill had reason to be optimistic, given the strength of the wind.

However, in fairness to the Reds, they took the reversal on the chin. Clawing their way back with power-packed performances in the middle third by outstanding skipper Luke Murray and capable aide-de-comp Seán Ryan, they took up the running. Brian O’Donovan and Jeremy Ryan hit 0-2 each as Bal led 0-14 to 1-7 at the break, a meagre enough advantage given the elements.

When Cillian Twohig availed of a lovely pass from Don McCarthy to split the posts on resuming, it seemed to give credence to that argument. The aforementioned duo was now causing the Bal defence problems with their pace and off-the-ball running. But Bal dug deep into their reserves of energy.

The Ballinascarthy team celebrates with their supporters after defeating Kilbree in the RCM Tarmacadam JAHC final. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Two frees by the irrepressible Brian O’Donovan gave them confidence under pressure. Both goalmouths had narrow shaves – William Tyner making a superb save, equalled by an identical effort by Darragh Hennessy at the other end.

Don McCarthy and Michael Keohane had the noise level reach almost a crescendo, 1-10 to 0-16 as the home straight beckoned. It was all to play for.

But two sublime scores by Brian O’Donovan and super-sub Ben Murray, now operating on the mark, gave Bal a cushion of sorts. Not for long, as delightful scores by Joe O’Donovan and the outstanding Jim Shanahan, with a free by Brian O’Donovan, made it 1-12 to 0-19.

Connall Cullinane and Brian O’Donovan seemed to make it safe, but two late frees by Jim Shanahan set up a dramatic finale, the Reds clinging on, but Kilbree’s last stand just came up short.

Arrangements at this fine venue were A1, the piper and pre-match parade making for a great atmosphere in this centenary final.

OUR STAR: Brian O’Donovan was a conjurer of game-changing interventions, giving a masterclass in playmaking and clinical finishing with a total of 0-10, a worthy winner of the man-of-the-match award.

Scorers

Ballinascarthy: Brian O’Donovan 0-10 (6f); Jeremy Ryan 0-5 (3f); Timmy Cullinane, Connall Cullinane 0-2 each; Ben Murray, Ciarán O’Neill, Cian Ryan 0-1 each.

Kilbree: Jim Shanahan 1-7 (2f); Darragh Coakley 0-3(f); Eamonn Shanahan, Cillian Twohig, Don McCarthy, Michael Keohane, Joe O’Donovan, Dylan Coffey (f) 0-1 each.

Ballinascarthy: Darragh Hennessy; James O’Brien, Daniel Nyhan, Gearóid O’Leary; Ciarán O’Neill, Ciarán Nyhan, Jeremy Ryan; Seán Ryan, Luke Murray; Timmy Cullinane, Cian Ryan, Cillian Cullinane; Connall Cullinane, Brian O’Donovan, Colm O’Brien.

Subs: Aidan O’Donovan for Gearóid O’Leary (25), Ben Murray for Cian Ryan (ht), Eoin O’Driscoll for Colm O’Brien (46).

Kilbree: William Tyner; Cian Murphy, Liam O’Brien, Joe Bailey; Shane O’Donovan, Kevin Keohane, Dylan Coffey; Brian Deasy, Michael Keohane; Darragh Coakley, Joe O’Donovan, Don McCarthy; Eamonn Shanahan, Cillian Twohig, Jim Shanahan.

Subs: Martin O’Donovan for Don McCarthy (46), Gearóid McCarthy for Michael Keohane (54).

Referee: Oisín Doyle (Bandon).