History makers... St James deliver a West Cork junior football title to deny Ballinscarthy the double

St James celebrating their historic victory yesterday. Picture: Denis Boyle
In the closing 10 minutes Bal put in a valiant effort to complete a double mission last achieved by Newcestown 31 years ago, but the Saints’ defence, inspired by veteran keeper Diarmuid O’Donovan, held out to preserve their record of not conceding a goal in this year’s campaign.

After the interval Seán Ryan, David Walsh, and Daniel Nyhan, along with Chris Ryan, led a spirited revival to which Cillian Cullinane and Jeremy Ryan added much before Alan O’Shea served up Ardfield’s first closing-half score in the 50th minute. It was backs to the wall after that before the Saints could rejoice.
