Inniscarra minor hurlers, inspired by James O'Sullivan, prove too strong for Youghal
Eoin Kennedy of Youghal gives chase to Inniscarra’s Conor Costello. Picture: Noel Sweeney
Cork U16 star James O’Sullivan hit 0-14 as Inniscarra opened their Rebel Og Coiste Fe18 Premier 1 Hurling Championship campaign with a 3-20 to 2-16 victory over Youghal at Ballyanly on Wednesday night.
What it came down to was a Donagh Holland goal in the 51st minute as the visitors had mounted a comeback that reduced the gap between the two teams to five points, after trailing 13 at the interval.
Inniscarra weathered the storm after establishing a firm lead through James O’Sullivan and green flags raised by James O’Mahony and Darragh O’Se.
Things exploded in the second period of play after Donacha Coleman and Marley Walsh hit the back of the net in quick succession for Youghal.
This set up a big finish, something that seemed unthinkable after Inniscarra stormed in front at 1-11 to 0-4.
What kicked things off was O’Se goaling in just the third minute after the home side pushed up and forced a turnover from a Youghal puck-out.
Inniscarra kept generating scores after this with Jamie O’Sullivan going into the break with 0-10 put over the bar.
That was a major factor in the scoreboard reading 2-14 to 0-7 and things opened up in the 32nd minute as a long-range shot by Coleman snuck in. Lyons and James Coyne added to that before Walsh drilled the sliotar in from the tightest of angles.
Suddenly it was 2-14 to 1-9 and Inniscarra were yet to score in the second half, a nervous twitch that was eased by Donagh Holland splitting the posts from play and James O’Sullivan converting a free.
Youghal kept going, determined to get back in the game.
Ciaran Heir helped build momentum by driving the sliotar over from play. Jamie Lenane also got a brace during this frantic quest that would evaporate after Donagh Holland burst through the Youghal line on the counter.
The corner-forward stayed composed and with just the goalkeeper to beat, his shot went past Ewan McCarthy.
Youghal were essentially back to square one at 3-19 to 2-14, and attempts to get a third goal late on were easily stopped by the Inniscarra back-line.
J O'Sullivan 0-14 (0-8 f), D Holland 1-2, James O’Mahony, D O’Sea 1-0 each, J Shine 0-2, S Maher, Jack O’Mahony 0-1 each.
D Lyons 0-9 (0-1 65, 0-3 f), M Walsh, D Coleman 1-0 each, J Leanne 0-3, J Coyne, E Kennedy, B Griffin, C Hehir 0-1 each.
P O’Mahony; J Dineen, C Herlihy, S Óg Holland; S Brislane, A Heelan, S Maher; J Shine, C Costelloe; Jack O’Mahony, D Enright, James O’Mahony; D Holland, D O’Se, J O’Sullivan.
K Keohane for James O’Mahony (40), S O’Sullivan for Maher (44), C Lyons for Costelloe (56), S O’Leary for S Óg Holland (58), B Lynch for D Holland (60).
E McCarthy; O Crowley, D Coleman, C O’Brien; Z Skehan, C Glavin, G Geary; F Coleman, J Coyne; M Walsh, D Lyons, E Kennedy; B Griffin, J Lenane, K Ansboro.
C Heir for Ansboro (24), E Gleson for Crowley (h-t), M Murray for O’Brien (56), J Dineen for Skehan (56).
Niall Hayes (Blarney)
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