Goals fire Ballymartle into PIHC quarter-final at Éire Óg's expense
Darren McCarthy fires over a point for Ballymartle. Picture: Larry Cummins
HIGH DRAMA in Ballyanley, where goals from Darren McCarthy and Shane Cummins secured a PIHC quarter-final berth for Ballymartle.
Despite winning their opening two games Éire Óg were eliminated on scoring difference after this result, with Ballymartle, who take on Castlelyons in the quarter-final, and Valley Rovers qualifying instead.
Éire Óg veteran Kevin Hallissey opened the scoring with a super point from play before McCarthy replied with a well-taken free. A ferocious run from Jack Sheehan down the right wing resulted in a narrowly missed goal from Eoin O'Shea before a sloppy tackle earned Darren McCarthy a penalty which he expertly slammed to the back of the net.
A courageous shoulder from Ballymartle’s Ryan Deasy stopped another goal chance but O'Shea kept them in the game with two neat frees.
Ballymartle got their second goal through an unstoppable shot from Shane Cummins, which put them in the driving seat.
Éire Óg responded well, with another O'Shea placed ball followed by a point from play for Joe Cooper. Former Cork senior McCarthy was on fire though and popped another free over for Ballymartle with Cork senior footballer Colm O'Callaghan splitting the posts at the other end.
David Kirwan also scored before the break with it finely poised, Ballymartle 2-8, Éire Óg 0-14.
McCarthy was unerring on the resumption with another free before teammate Rickard Cahalane contributed with a point from play.
Éire Óg were revived with a point from Jack Sheehan from distance before Ballymartle’s experienced forward Brian Corry landed a great score.
A second yellow card for Ballymartle’s Jack Dwyer should have handed the initiative to Éire Óg, with Jack Sheehan scoring straight after.
However, McCarthy nailed another two frees for Ballymartle and then Éire Óg missed a late penalty from Eoin O'Shea which would have tied up matters and been enough to send them through and the Carrigdhoun side out.
If Ballymartle beat Castlelyons they'll meet Ballincollig in the semi-final while Éire Óg are left to rue what might have been.
D McCarthy 1-7 (1-0 pen, 0-5 f), S Cummins 1-1, R Deasy 0-3, R Cahalane 0-2, B Corry 0-1.
E O'Shea 0-7 (0-5 f), J Sheehan 0-4, D Kirwan 0-3, J Cooper 0-2, K Hallissey 0-1.
J McCarthy; C McCarthy, T Murphy, E O’Leary; L Corry, J Dwyer, P Dorney; R Deady, S Dorney; S Cummins, D McCarthy, B Corry; D Desmond, R Cahalane, L O’Callaghan.
D Desmond; D Dineen, J Kelleher, M Brady; J Mullins, C McGoldrick, E Kelleher; D McCarthy, K Hallissey; C O’Callaghan, J Cooper, J Sheehan; D Kirwan, O O’Shea, E O’Shea.
B Corcoran for E Kelleher.
Pat Lyons (Bishopstown).
App?
