Inniscarra record huge win over Ballyhea despite loss of Cork captain Sean O'Donoghue

Inniscarra 1-20 Ballyhea 3-11 

Inniscarra have got their first win in the Senior A group stages, having narrowly avoided relegation last season, by seeing off Ballyhea by three points.

At a sun-drenched Grenagh venue in front of a healthy crowd this game that didn’t disappoint from start to finish.

Inniscarra took to the field for this one without Cork captain, Sean O’Donoghue, who missed the fixture with a niggle. However, the inter-county star wasn’t required as the Muskerry men did enough to seal the deal.

Inniscarra were led on the field by their talisman Padraig Holland up front with Joseph Enright another that impressed throughout. For Ballyhea, all eyes were on Pa O’Callaghan up front with Tom Hanley at centre-back and Maurice O’Sullivan at centre-forward always likely to have a say here.

Right from the off Inniscarra were on the front foot with the first score of the game coming inside 15 seconds, Cameron Lynch first to register. Ballyhea did hit back with a grace from O’Callaghan and Joseph Hickey however Inniscarra were soon back in front, Andrew McCarthy and Holland (free) showing the way.

The sides traded the next few points before Inniscarra had a goal disallowed for a square ball. The Muskerry men didn’t let the setback affect them and a point from Joe Enright (his first of three first-half scores) was quickly followed by a goal from Holland.

Ballyhea did respond with a brace of pointed frees from O’Callaghan and a score from Eugene O’Leary but another brace from Enright sent Inniscarra in at the break up by four, 1-9 to 0-8.

Ballyhea needed a quick start to the second half if they were to get this one back in the mic but it was the boys in blue that would do the early damage – racing into an eight-point lead by the 40th minute.

The loss of Ballyhea’s Hanley to a straight red on 49 looked to have ended the tie but credit to the Avondhu side, they battled away and got the tie down to a point late on thanks to goals from Gavin Morrissey and O’Callaghan – but Inniscarra pulled clear in added to time to take the win.

Scorers for Inniscarra: P Holland 1-4 (0-4 f), J Enright 0-4 (0-1 f, 0-1 65), C Lynch 0-3, M Murphy 0-2, S Sheehan, S O’Mahony, L Ryan, A McCarthy, F O’Leary, D O’Keeffe, M Nagle 0-1 each.

Ballyhea: P O’Callaghan 1-5 f, M O’Sullivan 1-2, G Morrissey 1-0, J Hickey, C Cox, T Hanley, E O’Leary 0-1 each.

INNISCARRA: J O’Keeffe; D Keane, B O’Mahony, J O’Sullivan; S Sheehan, C O’Leary, J Enright; S O’Mahony, L Ryan; A McCarthy, M Nagle, C Lynch; F O’Leary, P Holland, D O’Keeffe. 

Subs: M Murphy for F O’Leary (45), T Lyons for M Nagle (50), A Doyle for J O’Sullivan (59).

BALLYHEA: M Browne; A Barrett, J Hennessy, W Carroll; M Morrissey, T Hanley, F O’Sullivan; J Morrissey, D Copps; C Cox, M O’Sullivan, L Crowley; E O’Leary, P O’Callaghan, J Hickey. 

Subs: G Morrissey for D Copps (h-t), T Hanley for F O’Sullivan (40), G Morrissey for J Hickey (51).

Referee: P Lyons (Bishopstown).