DEFENDING Carbery junior A hurling champions Ballinascarthy are battling through a difficult county league campaign as player availability continues to stretch their resources.

Key absentees include Seán Ryan and Tristan Walsh, who are currently in Australia, while Brian O’Donovan and Ciarán O’Neill are Dublin-based and unavailable for every fixture.

It has left manager JC O’Flynn juggling his options in Division 6, where Ballinascarthy have won one of their opening four games ahead of Saturday’s trip to Ballygiblin (11.30pm).

Despite the challenging start, O’Flynn remains optimistic that things will fall into place when the championship rolls around.

‘It’s a juggling act. We’re hoping everyone will be around for the championship, it’s just that this time of year people have work commitments,’ he told The Southern Star.

‘There’s always something on every weekend. It’s very hard to have a full team out for the league, but hopefully things will come right for the summer.

‘When we have a full team, we’re certainly formidable, but we need everyone. Our panel is tight. With injuries, holidays and weddings, lads are busy.’

Ballinascarthy showed what they are capable of when close to full strength in their most recent outing, a 2-19 to 1-15 win away to Kinsale. Brian O’Donovan underlined his importance with 0-8 from play, having also topped the scoring charts in last year’s Carbery championship with 0-41. Ciarán O’Neill, too, has developed into a key leader in recent seasons.

‘Brian and Ciarán are vital players. When you have them in the team, it really changes the balance. They are crucial to our plans for the championship,’ O’Flynn explained.

While experienced players remain central, Ballinascarthy are also looking to the next generation to strengthen their squad. Cork U20 footballer Timmy Cullinane is among those pushing through, though he is currently sidelined with an injury.

‘Timmy has a hamstring injury, but the championship is still a bit away. We’re hoping to have him back from June onwards,’ O’Flynn said.

‘At the moment, it’s about blooding the players we have. There are a couple of young fellas we can work with, like Andrew McCarthy, and a few more lads who aren’t eligible for the county league but will be for the championship.’

Given the absentees, Ballinascarthy’s mixed results are understandable. Losses to second teams from Sarsfields and Erin’s Own, along with a draw against Argideen Rangers, have left them sitting seventh in the table.

‘It’s been a mixed bag. The first day out against Timoleague, we probably should have won but conceded a late goal to draw. Then we had two very tough assignments against Sars away and Erin’s Own at home,’ O’Flynn said.

‘We were disappointed with the Erin’s Own game – we gave away 2-2 inside the first 20 minutes and never recovered. But we got the bus back on the road against Kinsale. We had a full team, which we hadn’t had in the previous three games, and things clicked again.

‘It was a game we had to win. It gives us belief that we can kick on and pick up more results to stay up.’

Division 6 provides a stern test, featuring several county intermediate A sides and premier junior outfits. O’Flynn believes that exposure will stand to his team.

‘This is the joy of being in this league. You’re playing top-quality sides and that’s only good for Ballinascarthy hurling,’ he said.

‘I always said staying up was the objective.’

While league survival is important, the primary focus remains on the Carbery championship, where Ballinascarthy will aim to retain their title.

‘After staying up, the aim is to win West Cork again, but it won’t be easy,’ O’Flynn admitted.

‘We probably found it easier last year when we weren’t the team to be chased. Now we’re the target, and that brings a different challenge.’