Cork SAHC: Four goals from Anthony Spillane power Castlelyons past Ballyhea

Castlelyons 4-16 Ballyhea 1-16

Four goals in the first half saw Castlelyons win their Co-op Superstores SAHC clash with Ballyhea at Kildorrery on Saturday evening.

They were four killer blows, all scored by Anthony Spillane, and it put them nine points up by half-time. 

Ballyhea tried their best to close the gap after the break and to their credit they never gave up.

But any time they threatened to come close Castlelyons were able to get crucial scores to ensure they made it two from two to secure their place in the knockout stages.

The game was only two minutes old when Spillane got the first of his goals, from a long ball in by Darren Tobin.

But the response from Ballyhea was quick, with Pa O’Callaghan pointing from a sideline and then adding a second from the restart.

Another goal from Spillane, after nine minutes, made it 2-0 to 0-2, but again Ballyhea responded.

From the restart Eugene O’Leary found the back of the net at the other end, to make it 1-2 to 2-2.

Points from Darran Tobin, Spillane and Alan Fenton helped Castlelyons to extend their lead further, before their third goal came.

Another long ball in was caught by Spillane and he gave Mikey Browne no chance of saving, to make it 3-4 to 1-2.

Jack Morrissey pulled a few points back from frees for Ballyhea, with Leon Doocey and James Kearney replying at the other end.

With five minutes to half time Spillane got his fourth goal to make it 4-6 to 1-5. 

Late O’Callaghan points helped to reduce the gap as Castlelyons led by 4-7 to 1-7 at half time.

Three early points from Ballyhea kept them in touch, but again Spillane replied for his side, this time with a point.

Maurice O’Sullivan and Morrissey were on target for Ballyhea, as Fenton and Doocey kept the scoreboard ticking over at the other end.

With five minutes to go it was 4-11 to 1-13, before Spillane hit two more to keep his side well ahead.

The biggest roar of the night was for Castlelyons keeper, Jack Barry, when he picked up the ball on the wing to score from distance as his side ran out deserving winners.

This now means that their clash with Inniscarra in three weeks will determine who tops the group, with both already through to the knockout stages.

Scorers for Castelyons: A Spillane 4-4, A Fenton 0-4 (0-3 f, 0-1 65), L Doocey 0-3, J Kearney 0-2, D Tobin, J Barry, R Fenton 0-1 each.

Ballyhea: J Morrissey 0-7 (0-5 f, 0-1 65), P O’Callaghan 0-6 (0-4 f, 0-2 sl), E O'Leary 1-0, D Copps, M O’Sullivan, C Crowley 0-1 each.

CASTLELYONS: J Barry; S Moroney, C Barry, D Spillane; N O’Leary, A O’Sullivan, C McCarthy; J Kearney, P Roche; S Cotter, L Doocey, D Tobin; A Spillane, A Fenton, K O’Leary.

Subs: B O’Donovan for A O’Sullivan (28 inj), O Lenehan for S Cotter (43), B Spillane for D Tobin (54), R Feeney for L Doocey (59), R Fenton for C McCarthy (60).

BALLYHEA: M Browne; A Barrett, L Hanley, D Copps; J Hennessy, T Hanley, J Copps; L Crowley, T Hanley; J Morrissey, P O’Callaghan, C Cox; E O’Leary, M O’Sullivan, D Crowley.

Subs: K Morrissey for D Copps (ht), M Mortell for E O’Leary (43), S Walsh for D Crowley (48), N Crowley for A Barrett (58).

Referee: Alan O’Connor, Ballygarvan.