Ballygarvan beat Castlemartyr to set up with Junior A football final with Inniscarra
Ballygarvan's Evan O'Connor gathers up the ball ahead of Castlemartyr's Eoin Ronayne during the JAFC semi-final at Páirc Uí Rinn. Picture: Howard Crowdy
Ballygarvan produced a solid display before booking their place into the final of the Co Op Superstores JAFC final when disposing of Castlemartyr at Páirc Uí Rinn.
In a game dominated by the winners over long periods brilliantly led by captain Ray O’Halloran who kicked five quality points from play that ensured they play Inniscarra in the decider.
It only took two minutes for Castlemartyr to open their scoring account courtesy of Jack McGann's placed ball following a foul on Cork hurling star Ciaran Joyce.
To be fair both teams were intent on playing good open football and a minute later the sides were level following a monstrous point from Ray O’Halloran.
The South East side pushed on and their ability to kick long-range points was rewarded when Daniel O’Mahony split the posts three minutes later. Castlemartyr didn’t look as clinical in kicking from distance but they tied the game in the ninth minute courtesy of a Mike Kelly white flag.
It was noticeable when Ballygarvan got in front of goal they looked dangerous and two consecutive points from Evan O’Connor and a second from O’Halloran gave them a boost in the scoring charts.
In true spirit the east Cork side responded with a Mike Kelly point and the same player should have levelled proceedings midway through the half but he managed to drag a free wide when straight in front of the posts.
The leadership skills of Ballygarvan captain Ray O’Halloran was evident and when he kicked his third point in the 23rd minute it extended their lead to three points.
As the half matured the intensity shown by Castlemartyr in the early exchanges diminished and after going 15 minutes without a score Kelly did add a point in the final minute.
Leading 0-7 to 0-4 at the break Ballygarvan were full value for a three-point lead and a much-improved display was needed from Castlemartyr to get back in the mix.
On the resumption, Ballygarvan only took a minute to punish Castlemartyr with a goal of sheer class.
Some good advantage play from referee Canice Walsh saw the ball fall into the path of wing-back Sean Brady who billowed the back of the back of the net with a thunderous shot.
A minute later the lead was extended to seven points when Piaras O’Halloran showed great composure to raise the opening white flag of the second period.
Ciaran Joyce who started the game showed his ability to make darting runs but that soon faded when Ballygarvan took control.
Ray O’Halloran continued to be a menace to the Castlemartyr defence kicking his fourth point in the 38th minute.
Just when the east Cork side looked to have died a death, they responded with three unanswered points and midway through the half the deficit was reduced to five points 1-9 to 0-7.
That’s as good as it got for Castlemartyr as Ballygarvan regained control and closed out the game in style.
R O’Halloran 0-5, S Brady 1-0, E O’Connor 0-3, S Fenton, P O’Halloran, N Dowd, D O’Mahony 0-1 each.
M Kelly 0-4 (0-1 f), J McGann 0-2, B McGann, C Joyce, J Stack 0-1 each.
G White; P Ryan, R O’Leary, Z Davidson; S Brady, S O’Donovan, M O’Mahony; S Fenton, C O’Regan; E O’Connor, P O’Halloran, D O’Mahony; D Mackey, R O’Halloran, N Dowd.
D O’Connor for D Mackey (48), C Mackey for Z Davidson (50), J Fenton for M O’Mahony (53), M Cussen for C O’Regan (56), S Buckley for N Dowd (58).
C Whyte; C Martin, E Ronayne, N O’Donovan; B O’Tuama, C Joyce, J Lawton; D Joyce, D Coughlan; M Kelly, J McGann, L Martin; E Martin, B Lawton, M McGann.
Barry Lawton for D Coughlan (h-t), C Ronayne for L Martin (51), J Stack for E Martin (54), R Murphy for B Lawton (59), A Kelly for B McGann (59).
Canice Walsh (Nemo Rangers).
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