Cork PIHC: Cloyne prove experience is vital in their big win over Ballymartle 

Cloyne 3-11 

Ballymartle 0-16 

Cloyne's senior experience paid dividends as they secured a hard-fought 3-11 to 0-16 win over Ballymartle in the Co-Op Superstores PIHC on Saturday, booking their spot in the knockout phase of the competition.

Both sides can be guilty of some wayward shooting as Cloyne racked fifteen wides while their opposition racked up twenty three wides.

Playing against the breeze, Cloyne got off to a sluggish start, but once Brian O'Shea fired over the opening score after seven minutes, they began to settle into a rhythm. 

A flurry of points from Brian Walsh and Ashley Walsh, along with another contribution from O'Shea, saw Cloyne take a 0-4 to 0-0 lead after ten minutes.

Ballymartle finally got on the scoreboard when Luke O'Callaghan and Ryan Deasy pointed, but the Imokilly side continued to dominate, with O'Shea and Walsh adding to their tally.

Despite hitting five wides, Ballymartle managed to get back in touch, with Simon Dorney hitting over a much-needed score to make it 0-7 to 0-3 on eighteen minutes.

Cloyne responded well, with Stevie Beausang getting a crucial touch past Darren McCarthy to raise the green flag.

The remainder of the half saw both sides trade scores, with Cloyne maintaining a five-point lead at the interval, 1-9 to 0-7.

The second half got off to a blistering start for Cloyne, with Ciaran Mullins raising the white and Mikey Cahill following up with the second green flag to further extend their advantage.

However, their scoring momentum stalled for 14 minutes, allowing Ballymartle to mount a comeback. 

Deasy (five points) and O'Callaghan led the charge, with Ballymartle clawing their way back to within three points.

booking their spot in the knockout phase of the competition.

But Cloyne's experience told in the end, as Noel Cahill's third goal proved crucial in securing the win. 

The final quarter was frantic, with both sides giving it their all, but Cloyne's senior experience ultimately paid off, securing a well-deserved win and a spot in the knockout phase.

Scorers for Cloyne: N Cahill, S Beausang M Cahill 1-0 each B O'Shea 0-7 (0-2f), A Walsh 0-2, C Cahill, C Mullins 0-1 each.

Ballymartle. R Deasy 0-11 (0-5f), L O'Callaghan, C Lordan 0-2 each, S Cummins 0-1.

Cloyne. D Cronin, J Sherlock, J Hallahan, A Sherlock, E Motherway, P O'Sullivan, C Mullins, D Byrne, A Walsh, C Cahill, B O Shea, N Cahill, M Cahill, S Beausang, B Walsh.

Subs: B Minihane for A Walsh, J O Brien for D Byrne, K Dennehy for M Cahill, E Motherway for C Mullins.

Ballymartle: D McCarthy, C Coleman, TJ Murphy, E O'Leary, J Dwyer, R Cahalane, S Corry, F Desmond, S Dorney, S Cummins, E Healy, R Deasy, C Lordan, B Cory, L O'Callaghan.

Subs: D Desmond for R Deasy, J McCarthy for C Lordan.

Referee: Ciaran Murphy (Glanworth).