Ballinascarthy hurlers hold off tenacious Kilbrittain in Carbery Junior A opener
Ballinascarthy, who defeated Kilbrittain 0-17 to 1-11 in Group 3 of the RCM Tarmacadam Carbery JAHC, at Castletownkenneigh.
Brian O’Donovan's nine points helped Ballinascarthy see off Kilbrittain following an entertaining RCM Tarmacadam Carbery JAHC first round clash in Castletownkenneigh last Saturday evening.
As anticipated, Ballinascarthy got their Junior A campaign off to winning start but were pushed all the way by a tenacious opponent.
Down six points with five minutes remaining, Kilbrittain’s James Ahern saw his penalty saved by Darragh Hennessey. Undeterred, the black and amber kept pushing and a late Mark O’Shea goal left three between the teams.
Ballinascarthy held on thanks to Hennessy, Padraic Cullinane, Ciarán Nyhan, Luke Murray, Eoin O’Driscoll and Brian O’Donovan’s combined efforts.
The latter entered this Group 3 opening round clash as favourites having won the grade three years previously and finished runners-up in 2024.
As for Kilbrittain, the Premier JHC club defeated Barryroe in the opening round of their county hurling championship the night before. Now, Kilbrittain’s second string, having annexed last year’s West Cork Junior B trophy, were eager to make a positive impact on their Juunior A return.
Light rain that fell throughout the evening made for slippery playing conditions. Disappointingly, Kilbrittain lost their captain Kevin O’Neill and Sean Dewey to injuries inside the opening two minutes.
It was Ballinascarthy who enjoyed the brighter start and led 0-3 to 0-2 early on. Brian O’Donovan (two) and Sean Ryan scores were answered by James Ahern and Eamon Lyons (free).
Bal’s O’Donovan added another free prior to his goalkeeper, Darragh Hennessy, being whistled for taking too many steps. Hennessy saved Eamon Lyon’s’ subsequent close-range free before Connaill Cullinane made it 0-5 to 0-2 after 20 minutes.
A flurry of scores highlighted a quality second quarter despite Kilbrittain amassing seven wides and angling too many wasted passes in the final third.
A more clinical Ballinascarthy went in 0-9 to 0-6 ahead after their opponents found their range in the minutes before half time.
Brian O’Donovan (two frees), Eoin O’Driscoll and Connaill Cullinane were on target for Bal. Keith Hunt (two), Seamus O’Sullivan and James Ahern replied for Kilbrittain.
Dominating territory and possession throughout the third quarter, Ballinascarthy edged 0-16 to 0-10 ahead thanks to Eoin O’Driscoll and Brian O’Donovan’s accurate shooting.
Kilbrittain stayed in touch via James Ahern’s frees before Cian O’Leary was brought down in the square after 55 minutes.
Darragh Hennessy saved Ahern’s resulting penalty and Ballinascarthy worked the ball to Brian O’Donovan who converted his ninth score.
A late James Ahern free and Mark O’Shea’s opportunistic goal set up a grandstand finale but Ballinascarthy deservedly emerged three-point winners.
B O’Donovan 0-9 (0-7 f), E O’Driscoll 0-4, Connaill Cullinane 0-3, S Ryan 0-1.
J Ahern 0-5 (0-4 f), K Hunt 0-3, M O’Shea 1-0, E Lyons (f), S O’Sullivan, C Ustianowski 0-1 each.
D Hennessy; P Cullinane, Chris Ryan, J O’Brien; D O’Driscoll, C Nyhan, A O’Donovan; Ciarán O’Neill, L Murray (captain); Cillian O’Neill, S Ryan, E O’Driscoll; B O’Donovan, Cathal Ryan, C Cullinane.
Cian Ryan for Cillian O’Neill (44), T Cullinane for Ciarán O’Neill (51, inj).
E McCarthy; C Kenny, J Murphy, A Griffin; I Burke, J O’Donovan, E Burke; S O’Sullivan, K O’Neill (captain); P Brennan, K Hunt, M O’Shea; E Lyons, C Ustianowski, S Dewey.
J Ahern for K O’Neill (2, inj), G O’Shea for S Dewey (2, inj), C O’Leary for E Lyons (40).
Michael O’Leary (Dohenys).
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