Aghabullogue are in devastating form as Ballyhea struggle to compete

Aghabullogue 2-25 Ballyhea 0-3

AS THE scoreline suggests this was a bridge too far for last season’s Junior A champions Ballyhea.

The stronger, more experienced Aghabullogue totally dominated from the early stages of this SE Systems Intermediate semi-final in Castle Road.

In all sectors, the Mid-Cork girls were on top.

Up front, they had the effective Cliona Healy and Ciara McCarthy, who were more than a hand full for an over-worked Ballyhea defence. They picked off score after score and found their players with some excellent passing moves that ultimately resulted in scores.

Aghabullogue were quick off the mark with Niamh Barry-Murphy and Julie Tarrant points inside the opening minutes and a Ciara McCarthy goal five minutes in signalled their intentions as they went at the Ballyhea defence. At the end of the first quarter, they led 2-4 to 0-1, the second goal coming from Healy.

With Emma Flanagan, Meadhbh Ring and Katie Mc McCarthy strong along their half-back line they cut out any moved Ballyhea made.

At midfield, they won vital possession and getting it through the lines to Healy and McCarthy they were on top. At the break with Jane Foley and Ciara Harty having got through for Ballyhea points, it was Aghabullogue having played against the strong wind who led 2-8 to 0-2.

Through the second half, Ballyhea continued to battle hard but the gap in standards was evident but all credit they never gave up, as Aghabullogue added to their tally with 17 second-half points.

Julie Tarrant, Emma Flanagan and Robyn Martin all got on the scoresheet as Cliona Healy and Ciara McCarthy continued to lead the way.

Rachel Harty added a Ballyhea point from late free as Aghabullogue went safely through to a final meeting with Enniskeane who will no doubt present a huge challenge to their aspirations of lifting the title.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: C Healy 1-9 (0-3 f, 0-1 45), C McCarthy 1-9, J Tarrant 0-3, E Flanagan 0-2, R Martin, N Barry-Murphy 0-1each.

Ballyhea: R Harty (f), C Harty, J Foley 0-1 each.

AGHABULLOGUE: L Cooney; C O’Connell, M Cotter, E O’Shea; E Flanagan, M Ring, K McCarthy; E Foley, R Barrett; A Twomey, C Mc McCarthy, J Crowley; J Tarrant, C Healy, N Barry-Murphy.

Subs: B Cotter for R Barrett (40), M McCarthy for C O’Connell (45), A Barrett for N Barry-Murphy (45), R Martin for A Twomey (45).

BALLYHEA: C Keogh; L Dundon, M C Carroll, L Dillon; G O’Leary, J Hoper, C Dundon; E Crowley, R Harty; J Foley, C Johnson, T O’Sullivan; C Harty, R Killeen, I Mortell.

Subs: K Cronin for C Dundon (31), I Hanley for G O’Leary (45), N Healy for T O’Sullivan (45), A O’Sullivan for C Johnson (50), C Morrissey for C Harty (51).

Referee: William Wallace (Aghada).