Jack Leahy fires Dungourney past Ballymartle to PIHC quarter-final

Dungourney 1-20 Ballymartle 0-14 

A blistering second half was enough to secure a quarter-final berth in the Co-Op Superstores PIHC following a comfortable win over wasteful Ballymartle at Ballymaw.

Inspired by Man of the Match Jack Leahy Dungourney’s talisman finished with a game-high 11 points.

When Ballymartle look back they will know their 15 wides in the opening half would prove costly against their slicker opponents. Playing with the wind Dungourney were quickest from the blocks despite Niall McGrath giving Dungourney the lead with a point in the opening minute.

The wake-up call was instant and six points on the bounce from different players surged Ballymartle into gear as they looked in total control.

After taking a six-point lead following a superb Shane Cummins point from play Dungourney exposed some consistent Ballymartle fouling with Jack Leahy executing three unanswered placed balls.

The wide count for Ballymartle tallied 10 with 11 minutes remaining to the interval with the deficit reduced to four points 0-8 to 0-4. Ballymartle were also careless in the foul department and they were punished with a superb goal in the 24th minute.

The energetic Leahy produced a stunning run before placing a perfect pass to Kelvin Cody-Byrne who billowed the back of the net from close range. Right on the stroke of half-time, a superb Leahy run saw him get hooked as he was about to pull the trigger.

On the next Ballymartle possession Darren McCarthy got in behind their defence but his shot hit the crossbar as they commanded a 0-9 to 1-4 interval lead.

On the restart, both sides exchanged points in the opening six minutes, but it was evident Dungourney were getting on top at centre-field that gave them the crucial possession to upset their defence.

As the half matured the brilliance of Leahy ensured there was no way back for Ballymartle with the East Cork outfit finishing in style that sealed their quarter-final berth.

Scorers for Dungourney: J Leahy 0-11 (0-8 f), K Cody-Byrne 1-0 J Ahern 0-3, N McGrath 0-2, N Motherway, D Healy, S Hegarty, M Leahy 0-1 each.

Ballymartle: S Cummins 0-5, J McCarthy 0-4 (0-3 f), P Dorney 0-2, L O’Callaghan, R Deasy, D McCarthy (f) 0-1 each.

DUNGOURNEY: P Flynn; S Rohan, M McGrath, J McCarthy; M Leahy, N Motherway, C O’Doherty; D Healy, S Hegarty; N McGrath, J Ahern, S Geaney; B Ahern, J Leahy, K Cody-Byrne.

Subs: J Ahern for C O’Doherty (inj 14), C Murphy for S Geaney (58), S Quirke for B Ahern (59).

BALLYMARTLE: D O’Leary; C Coleman, T J Murphy, P Dorney; R Deasy, L Corry, S Corry; F Desmond, S Dorney; R Cahalane, S Cummins, J McCarthy; D McCarthy, C Lordan, L O’Callaghan.

Subs: B Corry for D McCarthy (inj 45), E O’Leary for F Desmond (50), N Crowley for J McCarthy (56).

Referee: David Copps (Ballyhea).