Ballygarvan grab Premier Junior Hurling semi spot with two goals in a minute against Barryroe

Ballygarvan 2-17 Barryroe 1-15

Ballygarvan made it three from three after their win over Barryroe in their Co-op Superstore Premier JHC clash at Cloughduv.

That win sees them top the group and move on to the semi-final as one of the two top seeds alongside Russell Rovers. They were made fight all the way by Barryroe and were thankful for two goals in a minute in the first half, which proved vital scores in their win.

Michael Cussen opened the scoring for Ballygarvan from a free, with Donal Ó Buachalla replying at the other end, also from a placed ball. Micheál O’Mahony put Ballygarvan back in front, with Niall Dowd extending their lead, before Sean Holland got Barryroe’s second score.

Steven Fenton replied for Ballygarvan, but points from Adam McSweeney and Ó Buachalla had the sides level, 0-4 each, after 15 minutes. Cussen and Ó Buachalla exchanged points before we had the crucial scores for Ballygarvan.

Evan O’Connor picked up the ball for his side and drove at the Barryroe defence before he found the bottom corner, to make it 1-5 to 0-5.

From the restart Ballygarvan regained possession and this time Sean Brady did the same thing for their second goal. Cussen added a point as Ballygarvan led 2-6 to 0-5 after 22 minutes.

But credit to Barryroe they finished the half strongly with a long-range free from their keeper, Micheál Whelton reducing the deficit. Ryan O’Donovan added another and Whelton was on target again to see Ballygarvan lead by 2-6 to 0-8 at half-time.

Two early points from O’Connor increased Ballygarvan’s lead, with Ó Buachalla replying with two at the other end. Cussen and Ray O’Halloran kept the score board ticking over for Ballygarvan, as they led by 2-10 to 0-10 after 38 minutes.

Ó Buachalla reduced the deficit and with 45 minutes gone they were back in contention, after Ryan O’Donovan got their goal to make it 2-11 to 1-11. Dowd and Fenton pointed for Ballygarvan, but points from Ó Buachalla and Daniel O’Driscoll for Barryroe helped to make it 1-15 to 2-13 with time running out.

But three late points from O’Halloran secured the win for Ballygarvan as they move out of the group stages undefeated.

Scorers for Ballygarvan: E O’Connor 1-2, S Brady 1-0, R O’Halloran, M Cussen (0-3 f) 0-4 each, N Dowd, S Fenton 0-2 each, M O’Mahony, G White, D Mackey (f) 0-1 each.

Barryroe: D Ó Buachalla 0-7 (0-3 f, 0-2 65), R O’Donovan 1-1, A McSweeney, N Whelton (f), D O’Driscoll 0-2 each, S Holland 0-1.

BALLYGARVAN: D Mackey; E Mackey, R O’Leary, P Ryan; S Fenton, C Murphy, K Lyons; C O’Regan, M O’Mahony; S Brady, M Cussen, R O’Halloran; E O’Connor, D O’Connor, N Dowd.

Subs: G White for C Murphy (h-t), C Mackey for K Lyons (59 inj).

BARRYROE: M Whelton; S O’Riordan, C Sheehy, P Moloney; J Moloney, C Dineen, J O’Brien; D Murphy, A McSweeney; R O’Donovan, D McCarthy, M Walsh; S Holland, D Ó Buachalla, D O’Driscoll.

Subs: B O’Donovan for Darren McCarthy, S Madden for M Walsh (both 42), Diarmuid McCarthy for P Moloney (57).

Referee: Tom Manley (Inniscarra).